Aurangzeb Abolishes the Jizya Reimposition Debate

1679

Mughal emperor Aurangzeb reimposed the jizya, the discriminatory poll tax on non-Muslims that his great-grandfather Akbar had abolished over a century earlier. Hindu merchants, artisans, and farmers now owed a yearly tribute for the privilege of their own faith. The edict alienated millions and accelerated the Rajput and Maratha revolts that would fracture the empire.