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{{Short description|Chieftain of Sinsini from 1670 to 1688}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox monarch
| name = Rajaram Jat
| title = Chieftain of [[Sinsini]]
| image =
| caption =
| reign = 1670–4 July 1688
| predecessor = [[Gokula Jat]]
| successor = [[Churaman]]
| death_date = 4 July 1688
| father = Bhajja/Bhagwant Singh
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
| dynasty = [[Sinsinwar]]
}}

'''Rajaram Jat''' (reign 1670–1688) was a [[Tribal chief|chieftain]] of [[Sinsini]], who led organised rebellion against Mughal emperor [[Aurangzeb]] after [[Gokula Jat]] execution. He is notable for desecrating the tomb of [[Akbar|Mughal Emperor Akbar]] in 1688. He united the [[Jats]], modernised their military capabilities, and employed [[Dhar (guerrilla warfare)|guerrilla]] tactics to disrupt Mughal authority in the regions around [[Agra]], [[Mathura]], and the [[Yamuna|Yamuna river]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-13 |title=अकबर की हड्डियां खोदकर आग में जलाने वाला जाट, कहानी राजाराम जाट की |url=https://www.thelallantop.com/lallankhas/post/rajaram-jat-history-who-took-akbar-bones-from-grave-and-burned-it-gokula-jat-rebellion |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=The Lallantop |language=hi}}</ref>

Rajaram successfully resisted [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] forces, defeating [[Nawab]] [[Bahadur Khan (Mughal general)|Khan-i-Jahan Bahadur Zafar Jang Kokaltash]] in battle near [[Sinsini]], which allowed to gain control over [[Pargana|parganas]] such as [[Bhuma]], [[Hodal]], Kuthumbar, and [[Palwal]]. His leadership laid the foundation for the later establishment of the [[Kingdom of Bharatpur]]. After his death in 1688, his brother [[Churaman]] and his son continued their resistance against Mughal Empire.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Dwivedi |first=Girish Chandra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=apdLQwAACAAJ |title=The Jats: Their Role in the Mughal Empire |date=2003 |publisher=Originals |isbn=978-81-88629-11-4 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Pande |first=Ram |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RBJuAAAAMAAJ&q=rajaram+of+sinsini |title=Bharatpur Upto 1826: A Social and Political History of the Jats |date=1970 |publisher=Rama Publishing House |language=en}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Rajaram was born in [[Sinsini]], in present-day [[Bharatpur, Rajasthan]], to Bhajja Singh, a [[Sinsinwar]] [[Jats|Jat]] [[zamindar]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wfUvAQAAIAAJ&q=rajaram+of+sinsini+1670 |title=Encyclopaedia Indica: Princely states in colonial India-I |date=1996 |publisher=Anmol Publications |isbn=978-81-7041-859-7 |language=en |quote=Raja Ram was a Jat leader and organizer of rebellion for freedom against Aurangzeb. He was chieftain of Sinsini in princely state of Bharatpur in India. Raja Ram was son of Bhajja Singh of Sinsini}}</ref> He was the cousin of [[Churaman]], son of Bhajja’s brother Brij Raj. The Jats, an agrarian community with martial traditions, had faced [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] repression, notably after the execution of [[Gokula Jat]]. By 1685, with Mughal forces preoccupied in the Deccan, Rajaram, alongside Ramki Chahar (also known as Ramchehra) of Soghar, emerged as a leader to revive Jat resistance.<ref name=":0" />

== Leadership and military ==
After the failure of [[Gokula Jat|Gokula’s rebellion of 1669]], which lacked proper training, equipment, and defenses, Rajaram introduced major reforms. He united various Jat clans, such as the [[Sinsinwar]] and Sogaria, and formed an alliance with Ramki Chahar (also called Ramchehara), who controlled Sogar castle, located four miles southeast of [[Bharatpur, Rajasthan|Bharatpur]].{{citation needed|date=November 2025}} Rajaram also built connections with Jats in Sidgiri ([[Bayana]], [[Rupbas|Rupbasia]]) and [[Ranthambore Fort|Ranthambhor]], opposing the Amber ruler [[Ram Singh I|Ram Singh]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pande |first=Ram |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f8-1AAAAIAAJ&q=Rajaram |title=Bharatpur Upto 1826: A Social and Political History of the Jats |date=1970 |publisher=Rama Publishing House |language=en}}</ref>

Rajaram trained [[Jats|Jat]] farmers in using firearms, horse riding, and military discipline, organising them into [[regiment]]s led by appointed captains to ensure discipline among the independent Jats.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Qanungo |first=Kalika Ranjan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9YlrzgEACAAJ |title=History Of The Jats: A Contribution To The History Of Northern India |date=2017 |publisher=Repro India Limited |isbn=978-93-5128-513-7 |language=en}}</ref> He built simple mud forts, known as kachha forts, in dense jungles, strengthened with mud walls, to serve as bases, safe havens, and storage for looted goods, addressing the defensive shortcomings seen at [[Battle of Tilpat (1669)|Tilpat in 1669]]. Rajaram adopted the [[Dhar (guerrilla warfare)|Jat "Dhar"]] guerrilla warfare tactic, avoiding direct battles with larger Mughal forces and focusing on swift, surprise attacks.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sarkar |first=Sir Jadunath |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32029 |title=Fall Of The Mughal Empire Vol. 2 |date=1934}}</ref>

==Rebellion and Raids==
{{See also|Desecration of Akbar's tomb}}From 1685, Rajaram forces disrupted Mughal trade routes between [[Dholpur]] - [[Delhi]], and [[Agra]] - [[Ajmer]] via [[Hindaun]] and [[Bayana]], plundering caravans and villages alongside allied Narukas, Panwars, [[Gurjar|Gujars]], and Mevs. The Mughal governor of Agra, Safi Khan, was largely confined to [[Agra Fort]], and in [[Mathura]], only the [[Jama Mosque, Mathura|Jama Mosque]] was considered safe from Jat raids. The [[Jats]], supported by local communities around [[Agra]] and [[Delhi]], revolted against Mughal authority, expelling imperial revenue officials and jagirdars’ agents from the [[Pargana|parganas]] between Delhi and [[Agra]], weakening Mughal control in the region.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}
=== Desecration of Akbar tomb ===
In 1686, Rajaram attempted to plunder [[Akbar's tomb|Akbar’s tomb]] at Sikandra but was repelled by Mughal faujdar Mir Abul Fazl, who was wounded and later awarded the title Iltifat Khan with an increased rank of 200 [[Cavalry|cavalrymen]]. Rajaram then looted Shikarpur and Ratanpur. Near [[Dholpur]], his forces ambushed the baggage train of Mughal commander Aghar Khan, a Turanni warrior traveling from [[Kabul]] to the Emperor’s camp at Bijapur. The Jats attacked the disorganized Mughal troops, seizing carts, horses, and women. Aghar Khan impulsively pursued the raiders with a small force and was killed along with his son-in-law and 80 followers, though 200 Jats also died in the skirmish.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Jadunath |title=History of Aurngjeb |url=https://archive.org/details/aurangzeb-1-2-jadunath-sarkar/Aurangzeb-5%20%28Jadunath%20Sarkar%29/page/227/mode/1up |pages=227}}</ref>

In early 1688, Rajaram attacked Mir Ibrahim (Mahabat Khan) near Sikandra, losing 400 men but retreating to regroup. Exploiting the delayed arrival of Agra’s governor-designate [[Shaista Khan]], Rajaram returned to Sikandra on 28 March 1688, plundering Akbar’s tomb and seizing gold, silver, carpets, and lamps. Reports by [[Niccolao Manucci]] and Ishwardas Nagar{{citation needed|date=November 2025}} suggest the Jats also burned Akbar’s bones. The inaction of Mughal deputy Muhammad Baqa led to his rank being reduced by 500 and Khan-i-Jahan’s by 1,000 cavalrymen. Jat forces further attacked villages supporting the Taj Mahal and captured Mughal officers at [[Khurja]] and [[Palwal]].{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

=== Mughal Campaigns Against the Jats ===
In the first of two Mughal campaigns led by Nawab [[Bahadur Khan (Mughal general)|Khan-i-Jahan Bahadur Zafar Jang Kokaltash]] against the Jats of [[Sinsini]], the armies of the [[Kingdom of Amber|Amber state]] ruler and Mathura’s faujdar joined him. Despite their combined strength, Rajaram’s Jat forces defeated them. This victory allowed the Jats to seize control of the parganas of Bhuma, [[Hodal]], Kuthumbar, and [[Palwal]]. Historian R. P. Rana, citing a contemporary petition, notes that the active support of Jats around Agra and Delhi was key to Rajaram’s success. After a month-long unsuccessful campaign, [[Khan-e-Jahan|Khan-i-Jahan]] retreated to [[Mathura]].<ref name="Rana">{{cite book |last=Rana |first=R. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mSeb2L1uLWAC |title=Rebels to Rulers: The Rise of Jat Power in Medieval India c. 1665–1735 |publisher=Manohar |year=2006 |isbn=978-81-7304-605-6 |page=145}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rana |first=RP |date=31 December 2013 |title=Social and economic background of the rise of Bharatpur kingdom |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in:8443/jspui/bitstream/10603/14417/11/11_chapter%205.pdf |website=Shodhganga}}</ref>

In the second campaign, [[Khan-e-Jahan|Khan-i-Jahan]] besieged Ram Chahar’s fortress at Sogar, capturing it and killing Ram Chahar among other Jat casualties. However, when [[Khan-e-Jahan|Khan-i-Jahan]] targeted [[Sinsini]], Rajaram defeated him in a battle nearby, forcing another retreat to [[Mathura]]. This battle also saw the deaths of several prominent [[Rajput]] Sardars from [[Kingdom of Amber|Amber]] fighting for the Mughals.<ref name="Rana" />

== Death ==
In 1688, Rajaram allied with the [[Rajput clans|Chauhan Rajputs]] in a land dispute against the [[Shekhawat|Shekhawats]], supported by Mughal faujdar Murtaza Khan, [[Bidar Bakht]], [[Bundi State|Rao Raja Anirudh Singh]] of Bundi, and [[Kota state|Maharao Kishor Singh Hada]]. On 4 July 1688, during a battle, Rajaram led a charge against the Mughal center, defeating the Hada chief and forcing Anirudh Singh to flee. A Mughal musketeer hidden in a tree shot Rajaram in the chest, killing him instantly. His death led to the Chauhans’ defeat, and his severed head was presented to [[Aurangzeb]] on 5 September 1688.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Nagar |first=Ishwardas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yWSmb4AKKMYC&q=ishwardas%20nagar%20futuhat |title=Ishwardas Nagar's Futuhat-i-Alamgiri |date=1978 |publisher=Idarah-I Adabiyat-I Delli |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

==See also ==
* [[Decline of the Mughal Empire]]
* [[Bharatpur State]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ram Jat, Raja}}
[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
[[Category:1688 deaths]]
[[Category:Jat]]
[[Category:People from Bharatpur district]]
[[Category:Violent deaths in India]]
[[Category:Rebels from the Mughal Empire]]
[[Category:Indian Hindus]]
[[Category:17th-century Indian people]]

Rajaram of Sinsini - Revision history

Abhishek Mandal: Added new stub added tags...