Is this true? It thought the jizya was only applied to the People of the Book or Christians and Jews (Quran 9.29). Non-Christians/Jews (e.g. Hindus) were given the option to convert to Islam or die (Quran 9:5). That is why so many of them died.
**Not true at all. Please see the verses of the Quran of chapter 9, specially 9:5.
[9:1] This is a declaration of complete vindication on the part of Allah and His Messenger to the idolaters **to whom you had announced a commitment that Islam would triumph in Arabia.
[9:2] So (O idolators) go about in the land for four months, and know that you cannot frustrate the plan of Allah and that Allah will humiliate the Kafirs (active, violent disbelievers.)
[9:3] And this is a proclamation from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage, that Allah is clear of idolaters, and so is His Messenger. So if you repent, it will be better for you; but if you turn away, then know that you cannot frustrate the plan of Allah. And give tidings of a painful punishment to those who are Kafirs (who disbelieve,and actively and violently oppose Islam.)
[9:4] Except those of the pagan type disbelievers with whom you have entered into a treaty and who have not subsequently failed you in anything nor aided anyone against you. So fulfil to these the treaty you have made with them till their term. Surely Allah loves those that are righteous.
[9:5] And when the forbidden months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever you find them and take them captive, and beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they repent and observe Prayer and pay the Zakaat, then leave their way free. Surely, Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.
(That was because of their six years of war mongering and attacking Madinah every time, they were actually at war and should have been prisnors of war. But the prophet, under divine orders, allowed them to disappear from the place within four months. That was good and easy for them.)
[9:6] And if anyone of the idolaters seeks protection of thee, grant him protection so that he may hear the Word of Allah; then convey him to his place of security. That is because they are a people who have no knowledge.
( That means, during these four months, do not kill any one and if any of those pagans need to learn something about Islam and approach with a request, then they should be given the teachings peacefully and protected and escorted to their place of safety.)
(No where does it say that kill all the polytheists. They were given four months to live in the place and no one will kill them. But after four months they were told to depart from the place. But after four months, if any polyrheist was to be found in or around Makkah, he was to be killed.)