| Conflict: | Mughal conquest of Mewar (1615) |
| Place: | Mewar |
| Date: | 1613-1616 |
| Width: | 315px |
| Partof: | Mughal conquests |
| Territory: | Mewar became a vassal of Mughal Empire |
| Result: | Mughal victory[1] [2] |
| Combatants Header: | Belligerents |
| Combatant1: | Mughal Empire |
| Combatant2: | Mewar |
| Commander1: | Shah Jahan |
The Mughal conquest of Mewar was a military campaign led by Shah Jahan under the command of Emperor Jahangir in 1615.[3] After a year of attrition warfare, Rana Amar Singh I surrendered conditionally to the Mughal forces, transforming Mewar into a vassal state of the Mughal Empire.[4] [5]
Amar Singh I, who succeeded Maharana Pratap, continued to contradict the Mughals. Following initial strikes, the Mughals took control of the plains of Mewar, forcing Amar Singh and his father into hiding. When Jahangir ascended to the throne, he launched a series of assaults against Amar Singh. Jahangir may have blamed himself for his failure to subdue the Sisodia Dynasty, as he had entrusted this task to Amar Singh twice while under Akbar's rule. Thus, Jahangir was determined to defeat Amar Singh, so he sent Prince Parviz to subdue him, leading to the Battle of Dewair. However, Parviz had to halt the campaign due to Khusrau Mirza's rebellion.[6] Despite Jahangir's appointment of Parviz, the battle was mainly commanded by Jahangir's brother-in-law, Asaf Khan, with Parviz serving as a symbolic figurehead.[7]
After his attempt was unsuccessful, Jahangir sent Mahabat Khan, Abdullah Khan, and Prince Khurram in succession. The prolonged conflict depleted Amar Singh's resources, and he eventually prepared to submit.[8]
In 1615, Amar Singh submitted to the Mughals. The terms of submission were designed to satisfy both sides. Due to his advanced age, Amar Singh was not required to personally attend the Mughal court, and he was granted Mewar, including the city of Chittor, as a watan jagir (territory granted as a hereditary estate). Amar Singh's successor, Karan Singh, received a rank of 5,000. Meanwhile, the Mughals safeguarded their interests by prohibiting the fortification of Mewar.[9]
Following the loss of soldiers and finances caused by battles against the Mughals, Amar Singh deemed it wise to initiate negotiations with them. In 1615, he entered a treaty with Shah Jahan, who negotiated on behalf of Jahangir. Amar Singh received counsel from his advisors, including his grandmother, Jaiwanta Bai.
According to the treaty, the ruler of Mewar was not obligated to personally appear at the Mughal court; instead, a relative of the Rana would represent him and serve the Mughal Emperor.[10] Additionally, the agreement stipulated that the Ranas of Mewar were prohibited from forming matrimonial relations with the Mughals.[11] Mewar was also required to maintain a contingent of 1,500 horsemen to serve Mughal.[12]
In recognition of his submission, the Rana was granted a Mughal rank of 5,000 zat (infantry soldiers) and 5000 sowar (cavalry soldiers).[13]
Later, when Amar Singh I visited Jahangir at Ajmer, he received a welcome from the Mughal Emperor, and the territories surrounding Chittor, including the Chittor Fort, were returned to Mewar as a gesture of goodwill.[14]