The conflict originated with the invasion of India by Timurid King Babur, to which the most powerful Rajput state, Kingdom of Mewar under Rana Sanga, offered staunch resistance.

The conflict can broadly be divided into three phases: 1526 to 1556, which was indecisive; the second happened between 1556 and 1679, largely in Mughal favour; and third between 1679 and 1799, a period marked by Rajput dominance.

[4] However Kingdom of Mewar refused to bend the knee due to its foremost place among both Hindu and Rajput states.

After which Rajput Kingdoms started exploiting the weak position of Mughal emperors after the death of Aurangzeb and made themselves masters of Malwa and Gujarat, which later brought them in conflict with Maratha Confederacy.

[7] Babur's grandson Emperor Akbar faced heavy resistance from Rana Udai Singh II and Maharana Pratap.

Most prominently in 1576 Akbar achieved a decisive victory in the Battle of Haldighati led by Man Singh I, a Rajput general of the Mughal Empire.

These campaigns affected the Mughal Empire financially and caused arrears and the disbanding of large amounts of troops.