Which among the following ruler of Kashmir abolished Zaziya and Cow Slaughter?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — A, Zain-ul-Abidin. Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (reigned c. 1420-1470), the most celebrated ruler of Kashmir's Shah Mir dynasty, was so admired that his people called him 'Budshah' ('the Great King'). Known for religious tolerance, he abolished the jizya (jaziya) tax on non-Muslims and prohibited cow slaughter. He recalled the Hindus and Brahmins who had fled earlier persecutions, restored their stipends, allowed temples to be rebuilt, and patronised Sanskrit — commissioning Persian translations of the Mahabharata and Kalhana's Rajatarangini.

Why the other options are wrong — (b) Sikandar Shah (r. 1389-1413), Zain-ul-Abidin's father, was the exact opposite — nicknamed 'Butshikan' ('idol-breaker') for destroying temples and IMPOSING the jizya, not abolishing it.  (c) Shamsuddin Shah (Shah Mir) was the FOUNDER of the Shah Mir Sultanate of Kashmir (1339) — an early ruler not associated with abolishing jizya or cow slaughter.  (d) Haider Shah was Zain-ul-Abidin's son and immediate successor (r. from 1470) — a short, weak reign, not the reformer who abolished these levies.

Concept: The Shah Mir dynasty (established 1339) ruled the Sultanate of Kashmir. Within it, two rulers are studied for their opposite religious policies: Sikandar Shah 'Butshikan' (intolerant, imposed jizya, destroyed temples) and his son Zain-ul-Abidin 'Budshah' (tolerant, abolished jizya, banned cow slaughter, revived Hindu learning).

State PCS 2023 Q24 — History PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2023 Q24 — History PYQ with Answer