State PCS
The ruler of Kashmir who abolished the jizya and banned cow slaughter, and was called 'Budshah' (Great King) by his people, was:
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Answer: Option C — Zain-ul-Abidin
Detailed Solution
Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (ruled 1420-1470) of the Shah Mir dynasty of Kashmir abolished the jizya (a tax on non-Muslims) and banned cow slaughter, as part of his tolerant policies.
About Zain-ul-Abidin:
- He was the son of Sultan Sikandar, who had followed a harsh policy towards Hindus.
- He reversed his father's policies and followed a policy of religious tolerance.
- He was called "Budshah" ("Bud Shah", the Great King) by the people of Kashmir.
His tolerant policies:
- He abolished the jizya.
- He banned cow slaughter, out of respect for the feelings of Hindus.
- He allowed Hindus (Kashmiri Pandits) who had left Kashmir to return, and gave them back their lands.
- He allowed temples to be repaired and rebuilt.
- He gave grants to Hindu religious institutions and scholars.
- He appointed Hindus to high posts.
- He stopped the practice of sati being prevented by force, and respected Hindu customs.
His contribution to culture:
- He was a patron of learning, and knew Persian, Sanskrit, Tibetan and Kashmiri.
- He set up a translation bureau, where the Mahabharata, the "Rajatarangini" and other Sanskrit works were translated into Persian.
- The historian Jonaraja continued the "Rajatarangini" (Kalhana's history of Kashmir) during his reign.
- He encouraged crafts: he brought craftsmen from Central Asia and Persia to teach skills such as shawl-weaving, papier-mache, wood carving, carpet-making and paper-making, which became famous crafts of Kashmir.
- He built canals, bridges and towns, and the Zaina Lank (an artificial island) in the Wular Lake.
- He is remembered as one of the greatest rulers of Kashmir.
About the Shah Mir dynasty:
- It was founded by Shams-ud-Din Shah Mir in 1339.
- Sultan Sikandar (1389-1413) was called "Butshikan" (the idol-breaker) because of his destruction of temples.
- Later, the Chak dynasty ruled Kashmir.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Sikandar Butshikan was intolerant.
- ✗Shams-ud-Din Shah Mir founded the dynasty.
- ✗Yusuf Shah Chak was a later ruler.
Quick tip
Remember: Zain-ul-Abidin ("Budshah") of Kashmir (1420-1470) = abolished jizya, banned cow slaughter, encouraged crafts (shawls, papier-mache); Sikandar = "Butshikan".
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Delhi Sultanate — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Delhi Sultanate, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
The Delhi Sultanate ruled much of northern India from 1206 to 1526 under five dynasties: the Slave (Mamluk), Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi dynasties. This topic covers its rulers, administration, market and revenue reforms, architecture and the foreign invasions of the period. Typical questions cover the founder of each dynasty, Alauddin Khalji's market reforms, Muhammad bin Tughlaq's token currency and transfer of the capital, and Firoz Shah Tughlaq's public works. The First Battle of Panipat (1526), in which Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi, ended the Sultanate. Keep the five dynasties in order with their founders. Practise the Delhi Sultanate questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.