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 to 1679, largely in Mughal favour; and third between 1679 to 1799, a period marked by Rajput dominance.

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.

[9] The peace established during the time of Emperor Akbar was broken by the religious intolerant policies of his great grandson Aurangzeb.

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