The Mughal Empire, which spanned from the 16th to the 19th centuries, had diverse relationships with different groups and kingdoms. Let's explore the nature of their relationship with the Sisodiya Rajputs, Ahoms, and Afghans.

a) Relationship with Sisodiya Rajputs:
- The Mughals had a complex and fluctuating relationship with the Sisodiya Rajputs, who were a prominent Rajput clan ruling over Mewar in present-day Rajasthan.
- Initially, the Sisodiya Rajputs fiercely resisted Mughal expansion into their territories. Rana Sanga, the ruler of Mewar, led a coalition of Rajput clans against the Mughals in the famous Battle of Khanwa in 1527. However, he was defeated by Babur, the first Mughal emperor.
- Over time, some Rajput rulers sought alliances with the Mughals to counter other Rajput clans or external threats. For instance, Raja Udai Singh of Mewar sought Akbar's protection against the powerful Sisodiya Rajput clan, resulting in a somewhat amicable relationship between the Mughals and the Sisodiya Rajputs.
- However, the relationship between subsequent Mughal emperors and the Sisodiya Rajputs became increasingly strained. Rana Pratap, a Sisodiya Rajput ruler, vehemently resisted Mughal authority and refused to submit to Akbar's rule. This led to several conflicts, including the famous Battle of Haldighati in 1576.
- Overall, the Mughal-Sisodiya Rajput relationship was marked by a mix of conflict, alliances, and sporadic cooperation. The Rajputs fiercely defended their independence and identity, leading to intermittent clashes with the Mughals.

b) Relationship with Ahoms:
- The Ahoms were a powerful dynasty that ruled over the Ahom Kingdom, located in present-day Assam, during the Mughal era.
- Initially, the Mughals had little direct interaction with the Ahoms, as the two kingdoms were geographically distant and separated by the mighty Brahmaputra River. The Ahoms controlled their kingdom effectively and maintained their independence.
- However, during the reign of Aurangzeb, the Mughals attempted to expand their influence into Assam. The Ahoms fiercely resisted Mughal encroachment and successfully defended their kingdom.
- The Ahom-Mughal relationship became more significant during the later Mughal period when the Mughals faced internal conflicts and weakened central authority. The Ahoms took advantage of this situation and expanded their territories at the expense of the declining Mughal Empire.
- In 1662, the Ahom king Jayadhwaj Singha even captured Guwahati, a major Mughal stronghold in Assam. This demonstrated the Ahoms' military prowess and their ability to challenge Mughal dominance in the region.
- Overall, the Mughal-Ahom relationship was characterized by sporadic conflicts and limited direct engagement. The Ahoms successfully maintained their independence and emerged as a dominant power in the northeastern region of the Indian subcontinent.

c) Relationship with Afghans:
- The Mughals had a complicated relationship with the Afghans, who were predominantly Pashtun tribesmen from present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan.
- Initially, the Mughals faced significant

Ahoms