RAS question
The Mughal emperor who abolished the pilgrim tax and Jaziya was:
Correct answer: (C) Akbar.
Akbar was the Mughal emperor who abolished the pilgrim tax and jaziya.
Explanation
Akbar abolished the pilgrim tax in 1563 and jaziya, the tax on non-Muslims, in 1564. The reform fits the wider shift in his rule towards sulh-i-kul, or peace with all, and religious tolerance. NCERT, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Grade 8 Part 1 notes that Akbar abolished jizya, promoted sulh-i-kul, held interfaith dialogues, appointed Hindu officials to high positions, and used these reforms to expand and stabilise the Mughal Empire. NCERT later contrasts Aurangzeb with Akbar, saying Aurangzeb reimposed jizya and a pilgrimage tax, both of which had been abolished by Akbar. So the abolition of both taxes is linked specifically to Akbar, not to another Mughal ruler.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Jahangir came after Akbar and is described as sharing some of his father's interests, but the abolition of jizya and the pilgrimage tax is attributed to Akbar.
- (B) Humayun was Akbar's father, and he is not associated with abolishing either the pilgrim tax or jaziya.
- (D) Babur was Akbar's grandfather, and the abolition of these taxes is attributed to Akbar, not Babur.
Concept
This tests Mughal religious policy, especially Akbar's sulh-i-kul and administrative measures towards non-Muslim subjects. It recurs in RAS because tax policy is a direct way to connect medieval polity, religion, and statecraft.