Question

Critically examine the policies pursued by the Mughal emperors towards the Deccan states

Answer 1

When Babur attacked India there were six Muslim states, viz., Khandesh, Berar, Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Golkunda and Bidar and one Hindu state, i.e., Vijayanagar in the South. According to Babur, the state of Vijayanagar was the strongest among them. However, Babur and Humayun could not pay any attention towards the South. By the time Akbar interfered in politics of the Deccan, the political situation had changed there. In January 1565 A.D., the combined forces of Bijapur, Golkunda, Bidar and Ahmadnagar defeated the army of Vijayanagar in the battle at Talikota and completely ruined the power of Vijayanagar. A little later, Ahmadnagar annexed Berar and Bijapur conquered Bidar.

Thus, there remained only the state of Khandesh, Ahmadnagar, Bijapur and Golkunda. Akbar began to extend his empire towards the South and the rest of the Mughul emperors also followed his policy. The process of conquering the South was slow but the Mughuls finally succeeded during the reign of Aurangzeb. But, there had arisen a new power in the Deccan by that time.

Shivaji, the Maratha, established an independent kingdom in Maharashtra at that very time when Aurangzeb was bent upon to conquer the entire South. Aurangzeb, of course, destroyed the Maratha kingdom as well when Shambhaji, son of Shivaji, was on the Maratha throne. But, his success was short-lived. The Maratha fought back for the independence of Maharashtra and, finally, succeeded. Thus, the Deccan policy of the great Mughuls initially succeeded but, ultimately, failed.

Babur could pay no attention towards the South. During the reign of Humayun, Muhammad Shah, ruler of Khandesh supported Bahadur Shah of Gujarat against Mewar and fought against Humayun at Mandsaur and Mandu. Humayun, therefore, attacked Khandesh after his conquest of Gujarat.

Muhammad Shah begged pardon which was granted by Humayun. Thus, Babur and Humayun had no planned policy towards the Deccan. It was the beginning of the Mughul rule in India and the Afghans were challenging the authority of the Mughuls in northern India. It kept both Babur and Humayun busy in the North.

Akbar was the first among the Mughul emperors who planned to conquer the Deccan after completing his conquest in the North. His primary objective in conquering the Deccan was extension of the empire. Besides, Akbar was not happy with the Portuguese who were becoming powerful on the sea-coast of India. He desired to break up their power which could be possible by conquering the Deccan.