How many times jiziya was implemented in India?

The jizya tax was implemented in India during several distinct periods under different rulers and dynasties. Here is a summary of the main instances:

1. Delhi Sultanate:

• Mamluk Dynasty (1206-1290): The jizya tax was imposed on non-Muslims during the rule of the early sultans.
• Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320): Continued the practice of jizya.
• Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414): Imposed jizya, with Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388) being particularly notable for his strict enforcement.
• Sayyid (1414-1451) and Lodi Dynasties (1451-1526): Maintained the practice of jizya.

2. Mughal Empire:

• Babur (1526-1530): Imposed the jizya as part of continuing the administrative practices of his predecessors.
• Humayun (1530-1540, 1555-1556): Maintained the imposition of jizya.
• Sher Shah Suri (1540-1545): During his short rule, jizya was also imposed.
• Akbar (1556-1605): Abolished the jizya in 1564 as part of his policy of religious tolerance.
• Aurangzeb (1658-1707): Reimposed the jizya in 1679, reversing Akbar’s policy of religious tolerance.

3. Post-Mughal Period:

• After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, the Mughal Empire gradually declined, and the enforcement of jizya became inconsistent. Various regional rulers and successor states had differing policies regarding the tax.

To summarize, the jizya tax was implemented in India primarily during the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire, with notable periods of enforcement and abolition. It was first imposed by the Delhi Sultanate, maintained by early Mughal rulers, abolished by Akbar, reimposed by Aurangzeb, and inconsistently applied during the decline of the Mughal Empire.