The Jat Who Ransacked Akbar's Tomb

From Mauryas to Cholas to Marathas, India has witnessed numerous valiant warriors out of which, still, majority await acknowledgement for their valour and contributions to the nation. Constructed by Jahangir, Akbar’s tomb in Sikandara receives thousands of visitors every year with few knowing that it was once ruthlessly plundered in 1688 by a Hindu warrior:  Raja Ram Singh Sinsiniwar also known as Raja Ram Jat.

Aurangzeb’s religious bigotry had, for long, plagued the subcontinent. Resisting tyranny, the Jats rose up in 1669 at Mathura under the leadership of Gokula. The twenty-thousand strong Jat force murdered Abdun Nabi Khan and sacked Saudbad as a result of his disdain for Hindu culture and mistreatment of Jats. However, Mughals due to their superior military, after three failed efforts, gained the upper hand and succeeded in capturing Gokula, who was cruelly tortured and murdered for treason in 1670, and his family was forcibly converted.

In the meantime, Bhajja Singh, the Sinsini ruler, passed away in Rajasthan, leaving three sons, among them was Raja Ram Jat, who is recognised for guiding the Jats into military combat. He carefully studied his enemy and realised that in order to defeat the Mughal barbarians, he would have to prepare his troops and impose subtle discipline. He had closely studied the cases of Gokula and his own uncle Brij Raj, who had been killed in the battle against the Mughals in 1682. He began instructing the Jats military techniques and also established military outposts (Garhi) in forest regions. Raja Ram had already had unified several Jat tribes under his command and resorted to guerrilla warfare. He started breaking into Mughal convoys on the outskirts of Agra. No place other than Jama Mosque was considered safe in Mathura.

Raja Ram started conducting raids on undefended Mughal strongholds while Aurangzeb was occupied in the Deccan. His incursions became more frequent, and in 1685 he attempted to break into Akbar’s mausoleum for the first time but was repelled by the local faujdar Mir Abul-fazl.

The year 1688 was fortunate when Rajaram would succeed in his mission.  Aurangzeb’s uncle, Shaista Khan, was named Governor of Agra, but Rajaram stormed and plundered Akbar’s tomb in Sikandara, taking advantage of the delay in his arrival. The Jats destroyed the mausoleum’s gates, took priceless metals and gems, and completely ravaged the tomb. Most importantly, they took out Akbar’s bones and other remains and set them ablaze to the dismay of the bystanders. Rajaram had not only gathered an enormous amount of wealth but, more importantly, he had exacted revenge of Gokula’s death.

This incident dealt a serious blow to the Mughal Empire and raised the spirits of people who had rebelled against repression. Dismayed, Aurangzeb ordered the establishment of thanas, chastised the local faujdar, and even decided to punish Rajaram for carrying on the struggle against the former.

Unfortunately, Rajaram was killed the same year when he was shot by a Mughal musketeer during a battle. The Jats he had armed carried on the fight after his death.

It is clearly evident to visitors visiting Akbar’s mausoleum that it is nothing more than an empty grave!



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