Political marriages in India

Political marriages in India have occurred throughout the history.

Mauryan Empire
According to Appian, Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander's Macedonian generals who in 312 BCE established the Seleucid Empire with its capital at Babylon, brought Persia and Bactria under his own authority, putting his eastern front facing the empire of Chandragupta. Seleucus and Chandragupta waged war until they came to an understanding with each other. Seleucus married off his daughter, Berenice, to Chandragupta to forge an alliance.

R. C. Majumdar and D. D. Kosambi note that Seleucus appeared to have fared poorly after ceding large territories west of the Indus to Chandragupta. The Maurya Empire added Arachosia (Kandahar), Gedrosia (Balochistan), and Paropamisadae (Gandhara). According to Strabo, Seleucus Nicator gave these regions to Chandragupta along with a marriage treaty, and in return received five hundred elephants. The details of the engagement treaty are not known. However, since the extensive sources available on Seleucus never mention an Indian princess, it is thought that the marital alliance went the other way, with Chandragupta himself or his son Bindusara marrying a Seleucid princess, in accordance with contemporary Greek practices to form dynastic alliances. An Indian Puranic source, the Pratisarga Parva of the Bhavishya Purana, described the marriage of Chandragupta with a Greek ("Yavana") princess, daughter of Seleucus. The Mahavamsa also states that, seven months after the war ended, Seleucus gave one of his daughters, Berenice (known in Pali as Suvarnnaksi) in marriage to Chandragupta.

Chandragupta sent 500 war elephants to Seleucus, which played a key role in Seleucus' victory at the Battle of Ipsus. In addition to this treaty, Seleucus dispatched Megasthenes as an ambassador to Chandragupta's court, and later Antiochos sent Deimakos to his son Bindusara at the Maurya court at Patna.

Gupta Empire
Chandragupta I married the Lichchhavi princess Kumaradevi. Licchavi is the name of an ancient clan that was headquartered at Vaishali in present-day Bihar during the time of Gautama Buddha. A Lichchhavi kingdom existed in the present-day Nepal in the first millennium CE. However, the identity of Kumaradevi's Lichchhavi kingdom is not certain.

Samudragupta's inscription mentions that several kings tried to please him by attending on him personally; offering him their daughters in marriage (or, according to another interpretation, gifting him maidens ); and seeking the use of the Garuda-depicting Gupta seal for administering their own territories. These kings included "Daivaputra-Shahi-Shahanushahi, Shaka-Murundas, and the rulers of the island countries such as Simhala".

Chandragupta II married Kuvera-naga (alias Kuberanaga), whose name indicates that she was a princess of the Naga dynasty, which held considerable power in central India before Samudragupta subjugated them. This matrimonial alliance may have helped Chandragupta consolidate the Gupta empire, and the Nagas may have helped him in his war against the Western Kshatrapas.

Kumaragupta I was married to Anantadevi. According to historian R. N. Dandekar, Anantadevi was a Kadamba princess. The Talagunda pillar inscription suggests that the Kadamba king Kakusthavarman established a matrimonial alliance with the Guptas.

Vakataka dynasty
Rudrasena II the ruler of the Pravarapura-Nandivardhana branch of the Vakataka dynasty married Prabhavatigupta, the daughter of Gupta emperor Chandragupta II

Narendrasena of the Vakataka dynasty was married to a "daughter of a king of Kuntala" named Ajjhitabhattarika, she is purported to be the daughter of Kadamba king Kakusthavarman, who is known to have married off his daughters to several prominent royal families.

Madhava Varma II of the Vishnukundina dynasty,married the daughter of Prithivishena II after subduing him.

Rashtrakuta dynasty
The Rashtrakuta ruler, Amoghavarsha I got his daughter Chandrabbalabbe married to Ganga dynasty prince Butuga I. This marriage sealed the alliance between the Ganga dynasty and the Rashtrakutas.

Amoghavarsha III was married to a Kalachuri princess named Kundakadevi. He also had a daughter named Revakanimmadi married to Western Ganga King Butuga II.

Satavahana dynasty
Simuka in order to overthrow the Kanvas, forged an alliance with Ambhiya chief Tranakayiro Kalalaya, by marrying his son Satakarni to Tranakayira's daughter Nayanika, this paved the way for the foundation of Satavahana rule over most of Southern India.

In an effort to end the hostilities with the Western Satraps, Vashishtiputra Satakarni, the younger son of Gautamiputra Satakarni married the daughter of Rudradaman I. The region of Aparanta was conceded by Rudradaman to Vashishtiputra Satakarni as dowry. Despite their marital ties, at least two wars occurred between them, during which the Satavahanas were defeated. Rudradaman, however spared the life of Vashishtiputra Satakarni, primarily because of their familial relationship.

Chalukya dynasty
Chalukya ruler Kirtivarman II was married to a sister of the Sendraka king Shri-vallabha Senanada, who swore allegiance to the Chalukyas after Kirttivarman's conquest of the Kadamba kingdom.

Pulakeshin married the daughter of the Ganga ruler Durvinita, she became the mother of Pulakeshin's son Vikramaditya I. In return Shilabhattarika, a daughter of Pulakeshin II was married to Dadiga, a grandson of Durvinita. Pulakeshin II also married an Alupa princess named Kadamba Devi after subduing them.

Chalukyas of Vatapi
The Chalukya ruler Vikramaditya I, entered into a marital alliance with the Western Ganga dynasty by marrying Gangamahadevi.

Vijayaditya I's son Vishnuvardhana IV was forced to sue for peace by marrying his daughter Silamahadevi to the Rashtrakuta ruler Dhruva Dharavarsha.

Western Chalukyas
Ayyana I, was married to the daughter of Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna II. This marriage raised the Chalukya family's political status. Ayyana I's descendant Vikramaditya IV, married Bontha Devi, a daughter of the Kalachuri king Lakshmana-raja Tailapa II married Rashtrakuta princess Jakavve, the daughter of Bhammaha Ratta, possibly to strengthen his political position.

Bhillama III, a vassal king of the Yadava dynasty of Devagiri rebelled against Jayasimha II, Jayasimha successfully dealt with the rebellion and managed to recover all of his lost territories by 1024 c. Bhillama III later married Avalladevi, the daughter of Jayasimha II as an act of peace.

Vikramaditya VI married one of Virarajendra Chola's daughters, establishing a temporary truce between the two kingdoms. He also dealt with revolting Kadamba feudatory by marrying off his daughter Maila Devi to the Kadamba King Jayakeshi II.

Seuna dynasty
Seuna ruler Vaddiga I was married to Vaddiyavve or Vohivayya, daughter of Rashtrakuta chieftain Dhorappa who was a younger brother of the Rashtrakuta emperor Krishna III. His descendant Bhillama II married Lachchiyavve, a Rashtrakuta princess. The wives of Vesugi and Bhillama III were Chalukya princesess.

After Alauddin's conquest of Devagiri, Ramachandra got his daughter Jhatyapali married to Alauddin Khalji. She later became the mother of Alauddin's son and successor Shihab-ud-din Omar.

Guhila dynasty
Rawal Bharttripatta II married a Rashtrakuta princess named Mahalakshmi to forge an alliance against the Pratiharas. His son, Rawal Allata entered into a matrimonial alliance with Hunas by marrying a Huna princess Hariyadevi. Naravāhana, the son of Allata was married to princess Jejaya of the Chahamana family.

Vijayasimha got his daughter Syamaladevi married to the Parmara ruler Udayaditya, which ended the traditional animosity between the two houses. Vijayasimha's daughter Alhaṇadevi later married the Kalachuri king Gayakarna.

Tejasimha was married to a Songira princess named Rupadevi. Songira records also maintain an account of Subali, a Guhila princess being married to a Songira chief named Rao Samantsimha. This was in contravention to the rigid clan hierarchy and the concept of hypergamy among the Rajputs.

Sisodias
According to bardic legends, Hammir Singh (1302–1364) is also said to have married a Songira princess named Songari Devi of Jalore. Rao Mandalika III(1451 CE to 1472 CE) of Junagadh was married to Sisodia princess Ramavati ,who was Rana Kumbha’s daughter. The Guhilas maintained and reinforced their social ties with the Rajput rulers of Gujarat until the end of the fifteenth century.

Narain Das, the Raja of Bundi fought alongside Rana Raimal during his campaign against the sultan of Malwa. Raimal was impressed by Das's valour and got one of his nieces married to him.

The Decline of the Mughal Empire in the eighteenth century was marked by the onset of Rajput rebellions across the empire. In this struggle for dominance, the Ranas of Mewar were able to take advantage of Mewar’s history of resistance against the Mughals, exemplified by their refusal to enter any matrimonial alliance with them. Ranas of Mewar were also able to highlight their role as the defender of Rajput honor.

Rathores
According to Kanhadade Prabandha written in the 15th century by Padmanābha, Piroja, the daughter of Alauddin Khalji, fell in love with Viramadeva Songira of Jalore. Alauddin proposed to marry her to Viramadeva, but Viramadeva rejected the offer, triggering Alauddin's invasion of Jalore.

In 1395, Rao Chunda was approached by the Pratihars of Mandore, who proposed an alliance against the Tughlaq Empire. Chunda agreed and was married to a Pratihar princess. It was common practice to include villages and land in a Rajput princess's dowry, as exemplified by Rao Chunda who received the fortified city of Mandore and a thousand villages in dowry. his daughter, Hansa-bai, was later married to Rana Lakha of Mewar.

Rao Ranmal married multiple times, as was common among the Rajput elite. He is known to have married Kodamde Bhatiyani, daughter of Ranigde, Rao of Pugal ,Bharmali, daughter of Chacha, son of Kshetra Singh, Rana of Mewar and Rami Bai, daughter of Lalaji Songira of Nadol

In 1438, Ranmal was assassinated on the orders of Rana Kumbha, this led to a period of hostility between the two houses. Eventually, peace was established after a marriage between Rao Jodha's daughter Shringar Devi and Rana Kumbha’s son, Raimal.

Rao Bika, the eponymous founder of the kingdom of Bikaner was married to Bhatiyani Rani Rang Kanwar, the daughter of Rao Shekha, the Bhati ruler of Pugal.

In 1496, Maharana Rinmala married one of his daughters to the crown prince of Merta, Viramdev, who was a son of Rao Duda. In 1537, Maldeo Rathore besieged Jaisalmer. Rawal Lunkaran was forced to sue for peace by marrying his daughter Umade Bhattiyani to Rathore.

In 1562, Akbar married the granddaughter of Rao Viramdev of Merta On 15 November 1570, Rai Kalyan Singh got his daughter, Raj Kanwar married to Akbar. In 1570, Akbar married Bhanumati, another niece of Rai Kalyan Singh of Bikaner In 1570, Puram Bai, a great-granddaughter of Rao Viramdev was married to Akbar. Akbar also married Rukmavati, daughter of Rao Maldeo through one of his concubines. On 11 January 1586, the marriage of Prince Salim (Jahangir) to Princess Manavati Bai, the daughter of Mota Raja Udai Singh took place. Prince Salim married Karamsi, daughter of Kesho Das. (Rathore-Bikaner)

In April 1624, the marriage of Prince Parvez to Princess Manbhavati Bai, the sister of Maharaja Gaj Singh Rathore of Marwar took place. Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan) married Lilavati Bai, daughter of Sakat Singh of |Marwar In 1649, Mughal Emperor Shahjahan resolved the enmity between Rao Amar Singh and Maharaja Jaswant Singh by ordering the marriage of Jasiangde to Maharaja Jaswant Singh.

In 1654, the marriage of the daughter of Rao Amar Singh to Prince Suleiman Shikoh  In 1671, marriage between  Mohammaduazzam (Bahadur Shah I) to Princess Amrita Bai, the daughter of Maharaja Roop Singh Rathore of Kishangarh took place.

On 27 September 1715, Farrukhsiyar married the daughter of Maharaja Ajit Singh, Princess Indira Kanwar In 1718, Ajit Singh of Marwar got his daughter married to the Raja of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh to garner his support in favour of Sayyid brothers in the Mughal court. Also in that same year,  Sawai Jai Singh seeking to increase his influence in the Marwar 's court got his daughter married to the son of Maharaja Ajit Singh, Abhai Singh. In 1729 Abhai Singh, the Rana of Marwar, subjugated various local chiefs. The prince of Sirohi chose to offer his daughter in marriage instead of resisting Abhai Singh. The practice of offering a daughter to resolve hostility was intended to secure peace and protect against potential attacks.

Kachwahas
In February 1562, Raja Bharmal, of Amer, and an early member of Akbar's court, allied with Akbar by marrying his daughter, Mariam-uz-Zamani to him. During Akbar's reign, the incentive of marriage came from the Mughal side, Surjan Hada is known to have joined the alliance on the condition that Akbar would not marry any of his daughters, as such no marriage took place. However, not all Rajputs accepted the offer to enter an alliance with Akbar. Both Rao Chandrasen of Jodhpur and Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar refused to bow down to the emperor. Their resistance is attributed to their desire to remain independent, and in Rana Pratap's case, to his refusal to suffer the humiliation of sending a daughter to the imperial harem. The scale of Rajput-Mughal marriages peaked during Akbar's reign. However, Akbar's successors abandoned the use of extensive matrimonial alliances, diminishing its political significance.

According to a legend, Tansen, the court musician and one of Akbar's Navaratnas married Mehrunissa, one of Akbar's daughters.

Man Singh I's brother Chandrabhan Kachwaha was married to the daughter of Raja Puranmal of Gidhaur whose fort was easily conquered by the Kachwaha army.

Prince Salim's first and chief consort was the Kachwaha Rajput princess, daughter of Raja Bhagwant Das of the Kingdom of Amber Kunwari Manbhawat Deiji entitled Shah Begum, to whom he was betrothed in 16th year of his life.

On 5 July 1678, Azim-ush-Shan was married to Bai Jas Kaur, Kirat Singh's daughter, the son of Raja Jai Singh

On 30 July 1681, Aurangzeb's son Kaam Baksh was married to Amarchand's daughter Kalyan Kumari of Manoharpur.



During the Rajput rebellion of 1708, Sawai Jai Singh II re-established marital alliances with the state of Mewar after a period of 150 years by marrying the daughter of Maharaja Amar Singh II. He also married the daughter of Maharaja Ajit Singh of Jodhpur in an effort to reclaim their lost territories and forge a unified coalition against Aurangzeb's successor Bahadur Shah.

Bhatis
Udai Singh II was married to Dheer Bai Bhattiyani, a sister of Umade Bhattiyani. According to an inscription from 1324 AD, Kshemasimha had his daughter Dulha Devi married to King Karna Deva of Jaisalmer.

Many Rajput clans converted to Islam over time, however their lifestyle did not differ greatly from their hindu counterparts. There have been many instances of intermarriages between muslim and hindu Rajputs for political reasons. For example, the marriage of the daughter of Ismail Khan, the ruler of Sind to Rao Kalan of Jaisalmer for consolidating his kingdom. Another instance can be seen in Chachi deo's (1448–62) marriage to the granddaughter of Shoomar Khan.

Baloch chief Jam Ismail Khan submitted to Kelana, the ruler of Bhati Kingdom of Pugal by marrying off his daughter Zubeida as a part of the peace settlement.

In 1570, Maharawal Harraj Singh got his daughter Princess Nathi Bai married to Akbar In 1587, Prince Salim married, Malika Jahan, daughter of Maharawal Bhim Singh of Jaisalmer

Jats
Jat leader Gokula's son was made to convert to Islam by Aurangzeb and was given a new name Fadil. Gokula's daughter was converted and married to the Mughal nawab Shah Quli.