Which among the following ruler of Kashmir abolished Zaziya and Cow Slaughter?
- (a)Zain-ul-Abidin
- (b)Sikandar Shah
- (c)Shamsuddin Shah
- (d)Haider Shah
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.
- (b)Sikandar Shah — 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 — 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 — 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.
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).
The four options are all Kashmir Sultans, so the question rewards knowing WHICH ruler = which policy. The strongest hook is the father-son contrast: Sikandar the iconoclast versus Zain-ul-Abidin the tolerant 'Budshah'. Any reform that sounds liberal in medieval Kashmir points to Zain-ul-Abidin.
- Zain-ul-Abidin (r. c.1420-1470), titled 'Budshah', abolished jizya and prohibited cow slaughter.
- He recalled exiled Hindus, restored temples, and had the Mahabharata and Rajatarangini translated into Persian.
- His father Sikandar Shah 'Butshikan' had done the reverse — imposed jizya and demolished temples.
- All four options belong to the Shah Mir dynasty of Kashmir; Shamsuddin Shah (Shah Mir) founded it in 1339.
Zain-ul-Abidin's tolerant reforms stand in sharp contrast to his father Sikandar 'Butshikan'.
- Confusing Zain-ul-Abidin ('Budshah', tolerant) with his father Sikandar ('Butshikan', iconoclast).
- Associating the abolition of jizya only with Akbar — several regional Sultans, including Zain-ul-Abidin, did so earlier.
UPPSC/UPSC test medieval regional kingdoms by pairing a ruler with a signature policy or epithet ('Budshah', 'Butshikan') — memorise the ruler-to-policy match, not just the names.
Consider the following statements: The striking feature of the Jama Masjid in Kashmir completed by Zain-ul-Abidin include(s) I. Turret. II. Similarity with Buddhist pagodas. III. Persian style. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- (a) I alone
- (b) I, II and III
- (c) II and III
- (d) I and III
Answer(b) I, II and III — the Jamia Masjid completed by Zain-ul-Abidin shows turrets, pagoda-like (Buddhist-influenced) roofs and Persian elements.
Tests the same ruler, Zain-ul-Abidin of Kashmir — here through the Jamia Masjid he completed, reinforcing recognition of this Shah Mir Sultan.
Which one of the following Muslim rulers was hailed as the 'Jagadguru' by his Muslim subjects because of his belief in secularism?
- (a) Husain Shah
- (b) Zain-ul-Abidin
- (c) Ibrahim Adil Shah
- (d) Mahmud II
Answer(c) Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur — called 'Jagadguru' for his syncretic, tolerant policies; Zain-ul-Abidin (option b) was also liberal but never bore this title.
Same concept — medieval Muslim rulers celebrated for religious tolerance — and features Zain-ul-Abidin as an option, the very trait (tolerance) that made him abolish jizya and cow slaughter.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The Kashmiri Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin is popularly remembered by which title?
- (a)Butshikan
- (b)Budshah
- (c)Sikandar-i-Sani
- (d)Alamgir
Answer(b) Budshah ('the Great King') — the honorific given by his subjects for his tolerant and benevolent rule.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Which Sultan of Kashmir, known as 'Butshikan', is associated with the destruction of temples and imposition of jizya?
- (a)Zain-ul-Abidin
- (b)Shamsuddin Shah
- (c)Sikandar Shah
- (d)Haider Shah
Answer(c) Sikandar Shah — nicknamed 'Butshikan' (idol-breaker), the father of Zain-ul-Abidin, who imposed jizya and demolished temples.