However, in 1562, Akbar got the opportunity to do this while he was visiting Ajmer, when Raja Bharmal of Kachwaha extended his hand for friendship and also wanted to strengthen the relation by offering his daughter’s hand in marriage to the Mughal emperor. Akbar immediately accepted this offer and soon the marriage was solemnised. The significant aspect of this marriage was that Akbar did not convert Raja Bharmal’s daughter to a Muslim. She remained a Hindu and continued to observe her religious practices at the royal harem.

Commenting on the Rajput policy, one historian argues that the main reason for the newly developed friendship between the Rajputs and the Mughals was that the Rajputs lacked a sense of completion because they used to call themselves ‘son of a raja’, but in the real sense there was no real raja in their midst. When Akbar married Raja Bharmal’s daughter, all the Rajput’s recognised the Mughal emperor as their true raja or ruler. This bond of relationship provided with them a sense of completion. The Mughals, on the other hand, appreciated the loyalty of Rajputs, their services, awarded them high ranks and properties, titles, robes of honour and royal favour. They became part of the Mughal family, and many Rajput customs and cultural practices were also observed in the royal court.

Though some Rajput rulers refused to surrender to Mughal power and continued resistance against it, the family ties between Rajputs and Mughals strengthened as more marriages took place between the two. The marriages were solemnised on the basis of equality. The bond of marriage was very strong and as Rajputs became members of the royal family, they got preferential treatment over other nobles. They were granted land and property by the emperor and were also allowed to keep their ancestral territories. In this way, they had two sources of income.

The Rajputs, in the service of the Mughals used all their abilities and qualities to fight for the expansion the Mughal Empire, rather than to fight against each other. Their integration transformed the Mughal state as a national one — a state which was above all religious prejudices.

Akbar trusted his Hindu subjects and appointed them on important posts. Raja Todar Mal was his finance minister, the highest rank of the Thal state. Akbar appointed them as commanders to lead military expeditions and governors to administer the provinces. His successors followed this policy.