Before entering the service of Ala-ud-din Khalji, what was the original religion of Malik Kafur?

Introduction / Context:
This question touches on the social background of an important military commander under the Delhi Sultanate. Malik Kafur served Ala-ud-din Khalji and led several campaigns in South India. Knowing his original religion illustrates how people from different communities could become part of the ruling elite through capture, conversion and military service.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The person in question is Malik Kafur, a general of Ala-ud-din Khalji.
• We must identify his religion before he entered the Sultan's service.
• Options include Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
• We assume awareness that Malik Kafur was originally from a non-Muslim background and later converted.

Concept / Approach:
Historical accounts describe Malik Kafur as originally a Hindu from the Deccan region. He was captured and sold as a slave, later purchased by Ala-ud-din Khalji and converted to Islam. Rising in favour, he became a trusted commander and played a major role in the Sultan's Deccan campaigns. Therefore, before his capture and conversion, his religion is generally identified as Hinduism, not Zoroastrianism, Buddhism or Jainism.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Malik Kafur is often referred to as a slave general, originally captured in the Deccan.Step 2: Remember that the region where he was captured was predominantly Hindu at that time.Step 3: Historical narratives mention that he was converted to Islam after being brought into Ala-ud-din Khalji's service.Step 4: Given that his conversion was from a local Deccan faith, it is most accurately described as from Hinduism.Step 5: Cross-check that there is no widespread historical claim that he was originally Zoroastrian, Buddhist or Jain.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard medieval Indian history texts refer to Malik Kafur as originally a Hindu slave acquired by Ala-ud-din Khalji. Many exam guidebooks summarise this fact in one line, stating that he was a Hindu who was converted to Islam and rose to high office. No mainstream exam material presents him as originally Zoroastrian, Buddhist or Jain, which supports Hinduism as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Zoroastrianism: This religion was mainly associated with Persians and some communities on the west coast, not with Malik Kafur's Deccan background.Buddhism: By the time of Ala-ud-din Khalji, Buddhism had declined significantly in most of northern and central India.Jainism: Although present in parts of the Deccan, mainstream historical accounts do not identify Malik Kafur as originally Jain.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes overlook social background and simply guess based on which religions they remember from the period. Some may think of Zoroastrianism because of the word “Malik”, while others confuse Malik Kafur with other figures. To avoid such errors, link his story clearly: a Hindu from the Deccan captured, converted and then serving Ala-ud-din Khalji as a general.

Final Answer:
Before he entered the service of Ala-ud-din Khalji, Malik Kafur was originally a Hindu.