[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [General history and culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general) › [The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.burn-1937) › v4.c19.71 # The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c19.71 The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c19.71 - **Language:** English ### [v4.c19.71](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.burn-1937.v4.c19.71) On 12 April, 1679, an edict was issued reimposing "the \*jizya\* tax on the unbelievers with the object of spreading Islām and overthrowing infidel practices". For the purpose of assessment the non-Muslim population was roughly divided into three classes, poor, middle class and rich, with incomes below 200 \*dirhams\*, 200–10,000 \*dirhams\*, and above 10,000 \*dirhams\* respectively, the rate of taxation being 12, 24, and 48 \*dirhams\* a year.² The professional classes, merchants and landowners were ranked as rich, and artisans as poor. The last class paid the tax only when their income exceeded the cost of maintaining their families. Women, children below fourteen years of age, slaves, beggars and paupers were exempt from the tax; blind men, cripples and lunatics paid only when they were "rich"; monks were untaxed, unless they belonged to wealthy monasteries, in which case the heads of these houses had to pay. All government officials were exempted from the tax. A crowd of Hindus that gathered in Delhi, blocking the road from the fort-gate to the Jāmi‘ mosque and appealing to the emperor to withdraw the tax, was trodden down by elephants when they did not disperse in spite of warning. A temperate and closely reasoned letter of protest from Shivājī had no better success. "Many Hindus who were unable to pay turned Muhammadans to obtain relief from the insults of the collectors . . . Aurangzīb rejoices" (Manucci). The heaviness of the tax interfered with the adequate flow of grain to the imperial camp bazaars in the Deccan later in the reign. - [Previous: v4.c19.70](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.burn-1937.v4.c19.70) - [Next: v4.c19.72](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.burn-1937.v4.c19.72) - [Up: v4.c19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.burn-1937.v4.c19) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.burn-1937.v4.c19.71](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.burn-1937.v4.c19.71) · Pramāṇa