The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c8.s8.1.3

c8.s8.1.3

The first group known as the *Ahl-i-Kitab* (People of the Book), who were believed to be sharers in Revelation, were the Hebrews and the Christians and were entitled to toleration on payment of the jizya. The second group was, according to them, of those who did not possess the Revealed Book and hence they were not entitled to toleration. The Hindus belonged to the second category. They laid down that for the Hindus there was to be no choice between conversion to Islam and death. Muhammad bin Qasim was, therefore, faced with a dilemma and did not know what to do. Under the circumstances the only practical solution of the problem was a kind of compromise that could extend to the Hindus and the Buddhists of Sindh a partial toleration granted to the Jews and the Christians. Muhammad bin Qasim accepted this compromise. The Hindus were, therefore, asked to pay the jizya or Poll Tax and were allowed to retain their religion and worship their God in an inoffensive manner and without parade. They became known as the *Zimmis* (protected people), as the Hebrews and the Christians were known. This was obviously a concession which had been unknown to the Islamic law (*Shariat*) and opened up a new chapter in the history of Islam. That accounts for Sir William Muir's observation that the Arab conquest of Sindh marked a new stage in Muslim policy. Muhammad bin Qasim's decision to grant partial religious tolerance to the Hindus in Sindh was a very important act.