Final answer:
The culprit who killed many Hindus in an effort to convert them to Islam was Aurangzeb. His reign was marked by religious persecution and intolerance, unlike his predecessor Akbar, who was known for his policies of religious tolerance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual known for persecuting Hindus and attempting to convert them to Islam, who is estimated to have killed at least 10,000 people, was Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb, a Mughal emperor, had a more conservative and stringent approach to governance compared to his predecessor Akbar, who was known for his religious tolerance. Aurangzeb imposed religious taxes on non-Muslims and destroyed temples of Hindus who resisted his rule. He did at times provide support to Hindu temples, yet his reign was marked by greater religious intolerance and conflict.
It is essential to note that the other options provided: Akbar the Great was renowned for his efforts to create a hybrid culture and religious tolerance; Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, treated his subjects more leniently; and Mahmud of Ghazni, who came before the Mughal era, was not known for killing Hindus in the context of conversion and was not mentioned in the context provided.