Meaning of the term Jizya used during Delhi Sultanate
Jizya is an Arabic term that refers to a tax levied on non-Muslims living under Islamic rule. During the Delhi Sultanate period, which lasted from the 13th century to the 16th century, Jizya was a tax imposed on non-Muslim subjects living in the Sultanate’s territory.
The Jizya was levied on all adult non-Muslim males who were able to pay, and the tax rate varied depending on the economic and social status of the payer. The tax was collected by state officials, and failure to pay the Jizya resulted in punishment or imprisonment.
While the Jizya was a form of taxation, it also served as a symbol of non-Muslim subordination to Muslim rule. The imposition of Jizya on non-Muslims was justified based on the Islamic legal system, which considered non-Muslims as dhimmis, or protected subjects of Islamic law, who were required to pay Jizya in return for protection by the Islamic state.
The Jizya system during the Delhi Sultanate period was often criticized by non-Muslims as being oppressive and discriminatory. However, it was also a source of revenue for the state, and the funds collected were used for the maintenance of the military and other government expenses.
Overall, the Jizya system during the Delhi Sultanate period played a significant role in shaping the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims in India, and it continues to be a subject of debate and controversy to this day.