Q. Aurangzeb reimposed ‘jizya’ in the twenty-second year of his reign in order to:
(a) put economic pressure for forcing the majority community to convert their religion
(b) meet a diffcult financial situation
(c) re-assert the fundamentally Islamic character of the State
(d) Show anger against the Marathas and Rajputs
Ans: (c) re-assert the fundamentally Islamic character of the State
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) re-assert the fundamentally Islamic character of the State.
Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal Emperor, re-imposed the jizya tax in the twenty-second year of his reign. The jizya was a poll tax historically levied on non-Muslim subjects in Islamic states. Aurangzeb’s decision to reintroduce the jizya was motivated by his desire to re-assert the fundamentally Islamic character of the Mughal state.
Aurangzeb was known for his conservative religious beliefs and his efforts to enforce stricter Islamic practices within the Mughal Empire. Re-imposing the jizya tax was seen as a symbolic measure to emphasize the distinction between Muslims and non-Muslims in the empire. It was intended to highlight the privileged status of Muslims and reinforce the Islamic identity of the state.
