In the context of medieval Indian history, who was the first ruler to impose the Jizya tax on non-Muslims in India?

Introduction / Context:
Jizya was a poll tax historically levied on non-Muslim subjects (zimmis) under Islamic rule, in return for protection and exemption from military service. In the context of Indian history, several rulers are known for either imposing, reimposing or abolishing Jizya, and exam questions often ask about who did what. This particular question focuses on the earliest instance: it asks who first imposed Jizya in India, which requires looking back to the very beginning of Islamic rule in the subcontinent, not just to the Delhi Sultanate or the Mughals.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The tax in question is Jizya, levied on non-Muslims under Islamic rule. - Four rulers are given as options: Alauddin Khalji, Aurangzeb, Mohammad bin Qasim and Qutb-ud-din Aibak. - The question asks about the first imposition of Jizya in India, not later reimpositions or modifications. - We assume standard textbook accounts of early Islamic conquests in India.

Concept / Approach:
The earliest Islamic conquest in the Indian subcontinent is associated with Mohammad bin Qasim, a young general of the Umayyad Caliphate, who invaded Sindh in the early 8th century CE. After establishing control, he organised administration according to Islamic principles, which included levying Jizya on the non-Muslim population while granting them protection. Later rulers, such as Delhi Sultans and Mughals like Aurangzeb, are known for their own policies on Jizya, but they were not the first to introduce it in Indian territory. Therefore, to answer the question correctly, you must go back to Mohammad bin Qasim's conquest of Sindh.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify Mohammad bin Qasim as the Arab general who conquered Sindh around 712 CE, marking the beginning of Islamic rule in a part of the Indian subcontinent. Step 2: Recall that, as an administrator under the Umayyads, he applied Islamic fiscal and legal arrangements, including the collection of Jizya from non-Muslims who accepted protected subject status. Step 3: Recognise that Qutb-ud-din Aibak, although the first Sultan of Delhi, came centuries later and did not represent the first introduction of Jizya in Indian lands. Step 4: Understand that Alauddin Khalji and Aurangzeb were later Delhi Sultanate and Mughal rulers known for various tax policies, but not for being the earliest introducers of Jizya in India. Step 5: Match this historical sequence with the question and select Mohammad bin Qasim as the first ruler to impose Jizya in the Indian context.

Verification / Alternative check:
Many exam oriented history books mention that Mohammad bin Qasim allowed local Hindu and Buddhist populations to continue their practices as zimmis on payment of Jizya after the conquest of Sindh. This is often contrasted with the later Delhi Sultanate and Mughal policies, which either intensified, modified or temporarily abolished Jizya. For example, Aurangzeb is known for reimposing Jizya after Akbar had abolished it, but he was clearly not the first to introduce it. Keeping this timeline clear in your mind allows you to verify that Mohammad bin Qasim is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Alauddin Khalji is wrong because he ruled later as a Delhi Sultan and is better known for market reforms, price control and military campaigns, not for the first introduction of Jizya in India.

Aurangzeb is wrong because, although he reimposed Jizya in the Mughal period, the tax already existed in earlier Islamic administrations in India.

Qutb-ud-din Aibak is wrong because he was the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, which came centuries after the Arab conquest of Sindh under Mohammad bin Qasim.

Common Pitfalls:
Students frequently confuse “first imposition” with “most famous imposition” of Jizya. Aurangzeb's name often comes to mind because his religious policies are widely discussed, leading to wrong answers. Another pitfall is to focus only on the Delhi Sultanate and ignore the Arab conquest of Sindh, which is actually the earliest Islamic foothold in the subcontinent. To avoid such confusion, remember the simple sequence: first Islamic rule in India – Sindh – Mohammad bin Qasim – Jizya introduced; much later – Akbar abolishes Jizya; Aurangzeb reimposes it.

Final Answer:
The first ruler to impose the Jizya tax in India was Mohammad bin Qasim after his conquest of Sindh.