[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate) › [Kanz-i maḥfūẓ](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.kanz-i-mahfuz) › [Kanzu-l Mahfuz (Elliot & Dowson, extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.kanz-i-mahfuz~en-elliot) › 1 # Kanz-i mahfuz 1 Kanzu-l Mahfuz (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 1 - **Language:** English ### [1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.kanz-i-mahfuz~en-elliot.1) In the city of Agra there was a large temple, in which there were numerous idols, all adorned and embellished with precious jewels and valuable pearls. It was the custom for the infidels to resort to this temple from far and near several times in each year to worship the idols, and a certain fee to the Government was fixed upon each man, for which he obtained admittance. As there was a large congress of pilgrims, a very considerable amount was realized from them, and paid into the royal treasury. This practice had been observed to the end of the reign of the Emperor Shah Jahan, and in the commencement of Aurangzeb's government; but when the latter was informed of it, he was exceedingly angry, and abolished the custom. The greatest nobles of his Court represented to him that a large sum was realized and paid into the public treasury, and that if it were abolished, a great reduction in the income of the State would take place. The Emperor observed, "What you say is right, but I have considered well on the subject, and have reflected on it deeply; but if you wish to augment the revenue, there is a better plan of attaining that object by exacting the jizya. By this means idolatry will be suppressed, the Muhammadan religion and the true faith will be honoured, our proper duty will be performed, the finances of the State will be increased, and the infidels will be disgraced." On hearing this, all the nobles and ministers of the throne admired and praised the wisdom of the Emperor, who added, that "by this plan the money would be saved, because the infidels came several times in a year and paid only a little into the treasury; but they will pay the jizya only once a year, and the Government income will be increased, which is the grand object." This was highly approved of by all the nobles; and the Emperor ordered all the golden and silver idols to be broken, and the temple destroyed. The revenue of the Government was much increased; it not only exceeded lacs, but came up to several krors. The jizya was collected from all, great and small, Hindus as well as rebel infidels, in all parts of the Empire, which extended on three sides to the sea. The Government officers also made great exertions in levying it, and in no case acted with indulgence and partiality. Consequently Islám acquired great predominance, and the Muhammadans were so dreaded that, for instance, if a Hindu went riding on his horse, and a peon of the office which collected the tax caught him, the colour of his face instantly changed, and he began to coax the peon; but until he had shown the receipt for the jizya of the year, he could not stir a step from the place without being taken to the office. But at present the rule for the Jizya is totally abolished. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.kanz-i-mahfuz~en-elliot.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.kanz-i-mahfuz~en-elliot.1) · Pramāṇa