What was the tax imposed on non-Muslims in the Mughal Empire?

The tax imposed on non-Muslims in the Mughal Empire was known as the Jizya. This tax served as a form of tribute that non-Muslims, especially Hindus, were required to pay in exchange for protection and the right to practice their religion freely. The imposition of Jizya was historically rooted in Islamic law, where it was considered a means for the state to fund defense and other administrative expenses without imposing direct military service obligations on non-Muslims.

In the context of the Mughal Empire, particularly under rulers like Akbar, there were periods when the Jizya was abolished to promote religious tolerance and integration, especially as Akbar sought to foster unity among the diverse populations of his empire. However, it was later reinstated during the reign of Aurangzeb, reflecting a shift towards more orthodox Islamic policies.

Other concepts such as Zakat refer to a form of almsgiving and one of the Five Pillars of Islam, intended primarily for Muslims, while Alms signifies charitable giving, which also doesn’t specifically pertain to the taxation of non-Muslims. Khums is another form of tax that traditionally applies to Muslims, focusing on surplus income or savings. In this context, Jizya is distinctly recognized