The Jat Uprising

The Jat uprising of 1669 AD was not an isolated event; it is one of the many rebellions across India against Mughal rule.

Kalika Ranjan Qanungo  wrote in History of Jats- “his (Aurangzeb) fault lay in his failure: he carried to his grave his unfulfilled dream of Islamic India…However by this open enmity, Aurangzeb unknowingly revived Hindu nationalism….From far off Maharashtra came the pulsation of a new life which moved northwards stirring the paralyzed limb of Society. In the Punjab, persecution turned a humble sect of sentimental devotees into ferocious warriors…..The brave Durgadas led the way and the Rathor blades were unsheathed for the defense of liberty and religion………………………..In 1669 another sturdy race, the Jats living almost under the very shadow of the imperial capital rose in revolt. This was but one flare of the mighty conflagration”

Misrule and oppression of Jat peasants of Agra and Mathura area, destruction of temple in Mathura drove Jats to unite under banner of Gokula. One faujdar of Mathura, Murhid Kuli khan was even well-known for abducting Hindu women.

Jats under leadership of Gokula (Zamindar of Tilpat) fought Mathura governor Abdun nabi and killed him. Gokula mustered 20,000 men and fought an army sent by Aurangzeb. Ultimately Jats were defeated before disciplined army and artillery of Mughals. Mughals lost 4000 men and won a costly victory. Gokula was captured; his limbs were hacked off one by one in Agra police office. His sacrifice did not go in vain; it watered the newly-sprouted seedling of liberty in the heart of the Jats. He was not alone in this sacrifice for freedom as Guru Tegh Bahadur, Sambhaji were also faced same fate in their struggle for freedom.

Rajaram assumed leadership of resistance around 1686 AD. He organized disorderly tribesman into a regular army, built regiments, equipped them with fire arms, taught them to obey their captains, built a series of small forts protected from artillery by mud wall. Rajaram soon controlled all roads and suburb of Agra, virtually besieging Agra governor Safi Khan in Agra. Renowned turani warrior Aghar Khan was looted and killed during a skirmish near Dholpur. After failure of general Zafar Jang in subduing Jats, Aurangzeb ordered his son Azam to take command. Bidar Bakht was given command around end of 1687 AD.

Rajaram plundered Akbar’s tomb and damaged the building. He was killed in July 1687 by a sniper shot during a battle between two Rajput groups. Rajaram was supporting a group which was opposed by Mughal supported group.

Raja Singh, father of Rajaram assumed leadership. Mughals with help of their Rajput allies breached the wall of Sinsani (Jat headquarters)in January 1690. This was also a costly victory. There was a lull in Jat activities till Churman, younger brother of Rajaram assumed leadership role.

Churman was opportunistic and a master organizer. He served many Muslim masters but was faithful to nobody. He built the legendary Bharatpur Fort. His army grew to 14,000 men within short span. He recovered Sinsani from Mughals in 1704 but lost in 1705 again. He remained faithful to Bahadur shah and won Mansab from him. He kept on increasing his wealth and army, kept building forts. He was appointed to the charge of the royal highway from neighborhood of Delhi to the crossing on Chambal.

In the words of Kalika Ranjan Qanungo  “ A wolf was left to watch over the flock, thereby loot was only legalized and made more methodical”. The emperor and his courtiers burned in with rage, but no one was willing to undertake the task of punishing the rebel.  

After Churman, Badan singh became ruler of Jats with help of Rajputs of Jaipur.  He is the founder of ruling house of Bharatpur. His son Surajmal was the best ruler of this state. More about Surajmal and achievements of Bharatput state in next part.