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Jodha Akbar: Why is Jodha adamant to pay tax to Jalal for being a Hindu?
In the new episode of Jodha Akbar, the story took an interesting twist when Jodha Bai came across a distressed woman trying to commit suicide. While, Jodha was distributing gifts to the citizens of Agra, she was alarmed to see a poor woman in sorry state.
The woman narrated her woes to Jodha. She said that since her husband has been kept in bondage in jail, she does not have anyone to pay government levied taxes for her. For the uninitiated, as per Mughal government’s rule, a Hindu has to pay taxes to the authorities or else choose to become a Muslim to save taxes.
Anyway, after hearing the woman’s story, Jodha’s heart melted and she assured to relieve her of her sorrows. She went to see Jalal and told her about the unreasonable levying of taxes on Hindus. An argument ensued when Rukaiya gave statements against Jodha’s plea. Later, when Jodha decided to pay taxes on her part being a Hindu, Rukaiya agreed to accept the money from her but Jalal felt distressed to see his Rajput wife’s stubbornness again.
He discussed this matter with his courtiers who argued that if the government refuses to take taxes from Hindus, they won’t get money to pay its army and other officials. Jalal finds the argument in favour of the tax system reasonable but Birbal comes to him to show him a scene out the palace.
He takes the emperor out and shows him hoards of Hindus assembled to convert to Islam ‘coz they can’t pay taxes. Jalal gets unhappy to see the helpless people willing to convert to Islam against their wish and says that even if they accept Islam, the religion won’t accept. Birbal quickly responds that on one hand the emperor believes that no one will be forced to become a Muslim and then on the other hand, people are being forced to practice Islam as they are unable to pay taxes. Birbal also says that Jalal can’t simply think of making his wives happy and his first duty lies in keeping his subjects glad.
Jalal, then ponders over the issue in a solitary chamber and shares his concern with Birbal again. Birbal assures him to give him a remedy which will make his subjects as well as the wives happy.
Wonder what it is going to be. Let’s see what Birbal’s smart plan will be.
