171

CONCLUSION

From the foregoing discussion it clearly emerges that

the Bundelas were not considered as their equals by the
Rajputs of Ajmer suba although they also claimed to be one
of the thirty six traditional clans of the Rajputs. We get
no reference of Bundela materimonial relationship with
either Rathors, kachhwahas or Sisodias etc. It is also
significant to note that except for Jahangir no other
Mughal ruler established materimonial relationship with
them. It seems, because of this the Bundelas could not
receive/^attention that they actually deserved as has been
brought out in our study.

The Bundelas entered in the Mughal service late

basically because of political confusion after the death
of Islam Shah, taking the advantage of which Madhukar Shah
captured the territories of his neighbouring Zamindars
thus considerably strengthening his position. After the
re-establishment of Mughal rule and during the major
portion of Akbar's reign Madhukar Shah continued his
policy of extending the limits of his kingdom at the
expanse of imperial territoties; he even ignored the
conciliatory policy of Akbar. He accepted the overlorship
of Akbar only when hard pressed but declared his
independence when he found himself secure. This situation
continued till Madhukar Shah's death in 1592 when his son
Ram Shah offered his submission. He was given a rank of
500. But even at this late stage the Bundelas could not
become part of Mughal nobility because of the revolt of
Bir Singh Deo aganist his brother Ram Shah; Ram shah's
failure to suppress him and finally the murder of Abul
Fazl by Bir Singh Deo at the instance of prince Salim
 172

further complicated the situation. Because of these

developments a state of war continued in Bundelkhand and
except for Ram Shah and few others a large number of
Bundelas remained hostile to the Mughals.

The accession of Jahangir was the begining of a new

chapter in Mughal-Bundela relationship. Jahangir in reward
for the service, as promised earlier raised Bir Singh Deo
to the throne of Orchha and rapidly promoted him to the
rank of 5,000/5,000 (he was also given the title of
Maharaja), but to conciliate other Bundela chiefs
specially Ram Shah who was dispossessed of his kingdom of
Orchha was specially granted Chanderi and recognised him
the hereditary ruler of the kingdom. To futher sooth his
feelings he also marrried his daughter. This marriage was
significant in the sence that this was the first and last
marriage of the Mughal rulers with a Bundela chief's
daughter.J

Yet another reason for adopting conciliatory attitude

towards the Bundelas was Jahangir's suspicion towards
Akbari nobles. As he was not in a position to dismiss or
even punish Akbari nobles he decided to raise new nobles
on whom he could have complete confidence. Rapid
promotions to some of the Bundela nobles was also the
result of this policy.

During Jahangir's reign the Bundela chiefs in general

and Bir Singh Deo in particular because of his close
relation with the Emperor enjoyed important position at
the court. Bir Singh Deo taking advantage of his high
status at the court and close firendly relations with the
Emperor during the closing years of Jahangir's reign

1 See Chapters II & V

 173

extended the boundaries of his kingdom and amassed great

wealth from his neighbouring territories. Although these
acquisitions were illegal, as the later developments
indicate, Jahangir raised no objection. It could have been
because of Jahangir's special regard for Bir Singh Deo or
it is possible that due to other pressing problems1
Jahangir could hardly get any time to react.

The period of Shah Jahan is dominated by the rebellions

of Jujhar Singh and Champat Rai as far as Bundelas are
concerned. And it has generally been suggested that Shah
Jahan was hostile to the Bndelas because of their negative
role during the years of his rebellion. The present study
however shows that soon after his accession Shah Jahan not
only reinstated Jujhar Singh to the gaddi of Orchha but
also promoted him to the rank of 5,000/4,000. But at the
same time the Emperor also set up an enquiry to
investigate the allegation of illegal acquisition of large
territories and wealth by Jujhar Singh's father Bir Singh
Deo. Jujhar Singh became suspicious and fled from the
court and rebelled. But shortly afterwards he was pardoned
when he accepted the proposals of peace offered by the
Emperor. In 1635 he again rebelled and Shahjahan was again
ready to forgive him provided he agreed to pay a sun of
Rs. 30 lakhs and handover Chauragarh or territory equal to
Chauragarh from his kingdom to Hirde Ram. But Jujhar Singh
refused to accept these terms which ultimately led to his
death and destruction of his kingdom.

However, Shah Jahan's breach with Jughar Singh and his

family members did not mean a total break in Mughal-
Bundela relations. We see that Shah Jahan tried to revive

1
See Chapter II
 174

the hereditary rule of succession by recognising Debi

Singh as the ruler of Orchha. Similarly he took no action
against those family members of Bir Singh Deo who stood
loyal to him during the rebellion of Jujhar Singh. Besides
that Bir Singh Deo' s sons Pahar Singh, Narhar Das,
Chandramani, Bhagwan Das, Puran Mai and the sons of Pahar
Singh Jugandar Singh and Mitr Sen were also admitted to
the Mughal service and granted mansabs. Even Champat Rai of
Mahewa who did not belong to the family of Bir Singh Deo
was granted the rank of 500/500. Thus the friendly
relation established by Jahangir with the Bundelas, in
general, continuenduring the reign of Shah Jahan also.2

Although a large number of Bundelas remained in Mughal

service even after the rebellions of Jujhar Singh and
Champat Rai as mentioned above, the prestige and power of
the rulers of Orchha considerably diminished. A large part
of the kingdom of Orchha was confiscated. Besides that
huge amount of money was also collected from Orchha,
Dhamuni, Jhansi and other places during the course of war.
Thus the kingdom of Orchha became so weak that henceforth
they were in no position to create any problem either for
the imperi al Mughal* or the neighbouring Zamindars. Almost
the same policy was adopted by Aurangzeb in 1696 when he
annexed a major portion of Marwar (Jodhpur) state to
weaken the Rathors.

Emperor Aurangzeb also broadly adopted the policy of his

predecessors towards the Bundelas because some of them
like Rao Subhkaran and Champat Rai played very crucial
role in the begin, dng of the war of succession. The other
Bundela nobles such as Sujan Singh and his younger

See Appendix 'A'

brothers Indramani, Puran Mai and Mitr Sen were among
those nobles of Shahjahan who joined the service of
Aurangzeb shortly after the battle of Samugarh and
afterwards they rendered valuable service in suppressing
the rival brothers of the Emperor. The complete loyalty of
the Bundelas with the sole exception of Champat Rai during
the entire period of war of succession helped them to
improve their position at the Mughal court. They were
given rapid promotion and important military commands1 .

The position of the Bundelas continued to rise also

during the second phase (1679-1707) . Even the admission of
the Deccanis and Marathas in large number could affect
their position only temporarily.

Aurangzeb's special regard for the Bundelas may be

further seen from an event of 1687 when Bhagwan Das, the
*
ruler of Orchha died without leaving a heir to the throne.
On the request of Rani Amar Kunwari, the grandmother of
the deceased Raja the Emperor granted the tika to Udwat
Singh although Udwat Singh did not belong to the family of
Bir Singh Deo 7 . In normal course the state would have
been annexed to the Mughal empire till a successor to the
throne was decided as Aurangzeb had done about ten years
a.nd
before in the case of Marwar (Jodhpur)Ain difference to
the wishes of Rani Hadi the Emperor recognised Indra
Singh. This event clearly indicates that Aurangzeb
remained extremly friendly to Bundelas even during the
period when it was generally believed that he was cool
towards Rajputs.

1
See Chapter, H, III & V
6 See Appendix BI
7
For details see the account of Udwat Singh of Orchha and Nobility Under Aurangzeb, f f l°*>-;
 176

Our study has a l s o shown that Bundelas were a divided

house. There was no strong bonds of Kinship t i e s i n the
Bndelas as we see so common in the Rajputs of Ajmer sui>a.
Besies that we also see dissensions and c o n f l i c t within
the family and a c t u a l l y such c o n f l i c t s continued i n our
period right from the t i m e of Madhukar S h a ' s death when
Bir Singh Deo openly rebelled against the accession of his
elder brother Ram Shah. Mughal Emperors f u l l y u t i l i s e d
these differences to c u r t a i l t h e i r powers by d i v i d i n g
t h e i r t e r r i t o r i e s among different f a m i l i e s . Whenever a
Bundela chief r e b e l l e d the Mughal r u l e r s u t i l i s e d the
s e r v i c e s of o t h e r Bundela chiefs in s u p p r e s s i n g the
revolts for which they were always ready mainly because of
family feuds. Generally such campaigns were s u c c e s s f u l
because the Bundelas were fully aware with the topography
of the region and the weakness of the a d v e r s a r i e s . *

Although by these methods the Mughals were able to weaken

the power of the Bundelas but even then they f a i l e d to
establish complete peace and prosperity in the region.

The major c o n t r i b u t i o n of Bundelas was i n d i f f e r e n t

m i l i t a . y campaigns which were sent by the Mughal Emperors
a l l over the empire. Our sources are f u l l of t h e i r
meritorious s e r v i c e s in the campaigns a g a i n s t Mewar,
Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Golconda, Marathas, Kabul-Qandhar,
Balkh and Badaksham. They also served a g a i n s t the
rebellions of Prince Khurram, Dara Shikoh, Shah Shuja,
Akbar and nobles l i k e Khan-i-Jahan Lodi and Mahabat Khan.

In recognition of t h e i r services Bir Singh Deo, Jujhar

Singh, Pahar Singh, Indramani, Champat Rai, Chhatrasal and

1
See chapters II & V, specially the rebellions of Jujhar Singh, Champat Rai and Chhatrasal.
 177

Rao Dalpat were given very high mansabs of 5,000/5,000,

5,000/5,000, 4,000/4,000 (2000 x 2-3 h ) , 4000/3000 (500 x
2-3 h) , 5000/X, 4,000/X, 5,000/5,000. But in spite of
holding such high mansabs none of them was appointed to
any high office at central government. They were also
never considered for the office of provincial governors.
But it will not be correct to conclude that they were not
given central offices and provincial governorships merely
because of the murder of Abul Fazl by Bir Singh Deo,
internal dissensions, rebellions of Jujhar Singh, Champat
Rai, Chhatrasal and indifferent attitude of the leading
Rajputs and Turani nobles. As a matter of fact, from the
time of Jahangir Rajputs were generally not appointed to
the office of governor. Only few Rajputs were considered
for this office for a short period.1 However the Bundelas
like other Rajputs were given military posts such as
guiledar and faujdar.

We have prepared lists of Bundela nobles and Rajput

nobles of the houses of Amber (Kachhwahas), Marwar
(Rathors) and Mewar (Sisodias) along with their mansabs
during the period 1592-1707 (Appendices B II, III and IV).

A study of Appendix 'A' clearly shows that of all the

Bundela nobles of the House of Orchha, Datiya, Chanderi
and Mahewa, the House of Orchha enjeyed preeminent
position (their numerical strength and total mansab were
much larger than the other houses of Bundela chiefs.

As discussed in chapter II n d and IVth the entry of

Bundelas in the Mughal service was very late and till the

1
The Rajputs who were appointed to the office of provincial governorship by Jahangir was Raja
Man Singh while during die reign of Shah Jahan onJy Raja Bedial Das was considered for this post.
For the reign of Aurangzeb see. Nobiliiy Under Aurcmg:eb.
 178

end of Akbar's reign only Ram Shah entered the service and
held the rank of 500. But after the accession of Jahangir
the Bundelas came to prominence because of Bir Singh Deo
who was rapidly promoted to the rank of 5,000/5,000 and
several other Bundelas were also admitted in service and
given mansabs. Bir Singh Deo taking advantage of his
special status at the court also increased the territorial
limits of his kingdom by annexing- estates of neighbouring
Zamindars. Not only that Orchha became a large state, the
prestige of the Bundela House of Orchha also increased
considerebly at the Mughal cour. Although total mansab of
Bundelas during Jahangir's reign (1611) was only
4,500/2,0001 which was still much less to the total mansab
of kachhwahas2 (27,000/23,300) but the position of the
kachhwahas on account of Man Singh's conspiracy to
enthrone khusrau suffered at the court. Similarly the
position of Sisodias also considerably increased after the
settlement of 1613 when they agreed to accept the
over lordship of the Mughals and their total mansab came to
5,000/5,000 in 1615.3

After the accession of ShaWJahan the Bundelas further

improved their position numerically as well as in terms of
total mansab held because four sons of Bir Singh Deo were
admitted in the service and some senior nobles like Jujhar
Singh and his son Bikramajit (Jagraj) and Bharat Shah were
given promotions.4 The total strength of the mansab of
Bundela Nobles in 1628 came to 13,500/10,100 which was
almost equal to the total mansabs of kachhwahas

See Appendix 'B'

See Appendix BI
See Appindix BIV
See Appendix 'A'
 179

(14,000/5,550) and Sisodias (11,000/10,500) during the

same period. However with the rebellion of Jujhar Singh
the Bundelas suffered a set back. Jujhar Singh and his son
Bikramajit were killed and no fresh appointment was given
to any other Bundela chiefs. But all those Bundela
mansabdars who served loyally were rewarded with
promotions.

The Bundelas were able to considerably improve their

postion after the accession of Aurangzeb on account of
their crucial support during the war of succession among
the sons of Shah Jahan. Aurangzeb promoted Sujan Singh,
Indramani, Jaswant Singh, Rao Subhkaran, Debi Singh and
Champat Rai and several Bundela chiefs were also admitted
in service. In the first year of Aurangzeb's coronation
the total mansab held by them was 21,500/13,200. During
the same period (1659) the total mansab held by other
houses of Rajasthan was as follows :

Table 'A'
Year Houses of Rajputs Total of mansab

1659 Kachhwahas 15,000/14200

Rathors 21,000/16900
Sisodias 17,000/9200

This table clearly indicates that the Bundelas came to

enjoy number two position among Rajputs in the first phase
of Aurangzeb

The Bundelas suffered a set back during the years 1678-

91. * But it was not because of Aurangzeb's hostility
toward them. It had also nothing to do with the Rathor

See Appendix 'B'

 180

rebellion because Bundelas were actually deputed to

suppress the r e b e l l i o n . The main reason for the d e c l i n e
was the death of Rao subhkaran and Indramani. Resides
during t h i s period promotions were a l s o not given to
Bundelas to accomodate the Deccanis and Marathas who were
admitted in large numbers. Although during t h i s period and
even a f t e r that the numerical s t r e n g t h of the Rajputs and
their total mansab d e c l i n e d but s i g n i f i c a n t l y Bundelas
again regained their p o s i t i o n a f t e r 1692.
y
Table B'1A

Year Houses Total of mansa Total mumerical

strength
1707 Bundelas 21500/11700 09
Kachhwahas 14200/12000 (2-3h) 04
Rathors 9500/6550 05
Sisodias 5000/3800 03

The above table clearly shows that the numerical

strength and total mansabs of Bundela nobles was much
higher than the total mansabs and numerical strength of
other prominent houses of Rajputs.1

It seems important to breifly discuss as to why inspite

of long years of service and enjoying important position
at the court the Bundela nobles (chiefs) frequently
rebelled. This problem becomes much more important when we
notice that the Bundelas at the Mughal court .were in no
way inferior to other Rajputs during the reigns of Shah
Jahan and Aurangzeb. Not only that there were fewer
revolts of Rajputs and the causes of their revolts as is

1
We have prepared the numerical strength of Kachhwahas, Rathors and Sisodias from the details
of the Nobility Under Aurangzeb
 181

well known were q u i t e different to the causes of Bundela

r e v o l t s . From our study i t emerges t h a t t h e Bundelas
because of the p e c u l i a r circumtances i n which they
accepted the o v e r l o r d s h i p of the Mughals, d i d not fully
follow Mughal paramountcy law. Though t h e y fully
acknowledged t h e overlordshp of Mughals b u t i n t h e i r
dealings with t h e i r erstwhile subordinate c h i e f s who have
now accepted t h e o v e r l o r d s h i p of Mughals, and other
neighbouring s t a t e , (now s u b o r d i n a t e s t a t e s to
Mughals) they s t i l l followed past p r a c t i c e s . They used
c o e r s i v e methods to c o l l e c t t r i b u t e s and waged wars
against neighbouring s t a t e s without the permission of the
Mughals.Incidentally during the l a s t y e a r s of J a h a n g i r ' s
r e i g n Bir Singh Deo as discussed e a r l i e r captured
t e r r i t o r i e s of several neighbouring s t a t e s and the Emperor
took no n o t i c e although t h i s act of Bir Singh Deo was
nothing s h o r t of a r e b e l l i o n . When Shah Jahan a f t e r
ascending the throne i n s t i t u t e d an enquiry t o i n v e s t i g a t e
Bir Singh Deo's a c q u i s i t i o n Jughar Singh r e b e l l e d .
Although he was pardoned when promised to pay 15 lakhs but
in 163 5 he again r e b e l l e d mainly because Shah Jahan
ordered him to r e t u r n the t e r i t o r y of Prem Narain which he
had captured. 1

1
For a full length discussion on the relation between the Mughal Emperors (who were paramount
power) and their tributory chiefs (who were under various obligation of me Mughals) see. Chieftains
in the Mughal Empire During the Reign ofAkbar.