The Varanasi Pilgrims

One of the oldest cities in the world and the holiest city of Hinduism, Varanasi, lies not far from Jaunpur. Every day countless Indian pilgrims traverse our lands to reach not only Varanasi but many of the other holy places of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism in the region we occupy.\nThese travelers are compelled by their religious convictions to make this journey and will attempt to reach their goal almost regardless of any hindrance we might put in their way. Our vizier has therefore suggested that we, like the Delhi sultans before us, create a specific tax on all pilgrims that would visit the holy places in our lands. In place such a tax would undoubtedly bring us a steady income, but it would not be a very popular policy among our non-Muslim subjects.