Question

Why did Aurangzeb lose the goodwill of a vast majority of non-Muslim subjects?

• A. He executed the eighth Sikh Guru, for refusing to embrace Islam.
• B. Hindu traders had to give 5% tax as custom duty.
• C. He reimposed Jizya tax on non-Muslims.
• D. He imposed pilgrimage tax on non-Muslims.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C), (D)

The correct options are
B Hindu traders had to give 5% tax as custom duty.
C He reimposed Jizya tax on non-Muslims.
D He imposed pilgrimage tax on non-Muslims.

Aurangzeb's interpretation of Islam was based on Islamic Law. He reimposed the jizya tax and the pilgrimage tax for non-Muslims. He issued ordinances to restore the Muslim Law of Conduct by the teachings of the Quran. Muslim merchants were charged only 2% as custom duty, whereas the Hindu traders were levied 5%. In 1675 CE, Aurangzeb arrested and executed the ninth Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadur, who had refused to embrace Islam, and this led to the creation of the Khalsa under the final Sikh Guru, Govind Singh.