The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c20.19

c20.19

Bulk of the conquered people still lived under their own rulers and in full enjoyment of religious liberty. Only the demand for tribute reminded them of the Muslim conquest and it is extremely doubtful if they were or could be effectively called upon to pay, in addition to the land-revenue compounded as tribute, the capitation tax as well. Even in the directly administered area, as mentioned above, important exemptions were, as a rule, granted in the incidence of the jaziah. Despite the rulers' professions for suppressing shirk, the native's religion and ways of life were never normally meant to be interfered with. Nor was it a practicable proposition. Even the militant Islamists had to admit the impossiblity of eradicating idolatory and heresy from India³, Barani put it in the mouth of Balban that a complete extirpation of idol-worship must remain only an unattainable ideal⁴.