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As the rulers of the mahajanapadas of the Common Era were building huge forts maintaining big armies, they needed more resources for which they collected taxes. Consider the following about it.
1. Taxes on crop were fixed at a certain share of the total produce.
2. Craft persons were made to pay taxes.
3. Hunter gatherers and herders were exempt from taxes as it was not possible to enumerate them as a part of any specific empire.
4. Trade was tax-free but a surcharge was levied on special category of goods.
Select the correct answer using the codes below.
  • a)
    1 and 2 only
  • b)
    1, 3 and 4 only
  • c)
    2 and 3 only
  • d)
    1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
As the rulers of the mahajanapadas of the Common Era were buildinghuge...
Justification: Statement 1: Taxes on crops were the most important. This was because most people were farmers. Usually, the tax was fixed at 1/6th of what was produced. This was known as bhaga or a share.
Statement 2: These could have been in the form of labour. For example, a weaver or a smith may have had to work for a day every month for the king.
Statement 3: Herders were also expected to pay taxes in the form of animals and animal produce. And hunters and gatherers also had to provide forest produce to the raja. So, 3 is incorrect.
Statement 4: There were also taxes on goods that were bought and sold, through trade. So, 4 is also incorrect.
Q Source: Page 59: NCERT 6th History: Our Pasts-I
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As the rulers of the mahajanapadas of the Common Era were buildinghuge...
A is the correct answer at that time the rulers collected tax from farmers and crafts person
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As the rulers of the mahajanapadas of the Common Era were buildinghuge...
Taxes in the Mahajanapadas of the Common Era

1. Taxes on crop were fixed at a certain share of the total produce.
During the time of the Mahajanapadas, taxes on crops were collected in the form of a fixed share of the total produce. This means that a certain percentage of the agricultural output was collected as taxes by the rulers. This helped the rulers to accumulate resources for building huge forts and maintaining big armies.

2. Craft persons were made to pay taxes.
Craftsmen, who were skilled in various trades and crafts, were also required to pay taxes. This was done to generate revenue for the rulers. The taxation of craft persons ensured that the rulers had a steady source of income from the skilled artisans who were engaged in producing various goods.

3. Hunter gatherers and herders were exempt from taxes as it was not possible to enumerate them as a part of any specific empire.
Hunter gatherers and herders, who relied on hunting, gathering, and animal rearing for their livelihood, were exempt from taxes. This was primarily because it was difficult to enumerate and track their activities as a part of any specific empire. Since they lived nomadic lifestyles and were not settled in one place, it was not feasible for the rulers to tax them.

4. Trade was tax-free but a surcharge was levied on special category of goods.
Trade, in general, was tax-free during the time of the Mahajanapadas. However, a surcharge or additional tax was levied on certain special categories of goods. These goods may have included luxury items, high-value commodities, or goods that were subject to monopolies controlled by the rulers. The surcharge on these goods helped the rulers to generate additional revenue from trade.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A' as all the given statements are true. Taxes on crops were fixed at a certain share of the total produce, craft persons were made to pay taxes, hunter gatherers and herders were exempt from taxes, and trade was tax-free with a surcharge on special category goods.
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As the rulers of the mahajanapadas of the Common Era were buildinghuge forts maintaining big armies, they needed more resources forwhich they collected taxes. Consider the following about it.1. Taxes on crop were fixed at a certain share of the total produce.2. Craft persons were made to pay taxes.3. Hunter gatherers and herders were exempt from taxes as it wasnot possible to enumerate them as a part of any specific empire.4. Trade was tax-free but a surcharge was levied on special categoryof goods.Select the correct answer using the codes below.a)1 and 2 onlyb)1, 3 and 4 onlyc)2 and 3 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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As the rulers of the mahajanapadas of the Common Era were buildinghuge forts maintaining big armies, they needed more resources forwhich they collected taxes. Consider the following about it.1. Taxes on crop were fixed at a certain share of the total produce.2. Craft persons were made to pay taxes.3. Hunter gatherers and herders were exempt from taxes as it wasnot possible to enumerate them as a part of any specific empire.4. Trade was tax-free but a surcharge was levied on special categoryof goods.Select the correct answer using the codes below.a)1 and 2 onlyb)1, 3 and 4 onlyc)2 and 3 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about As the rulers of the mahajanapadas of the Common Era were buildinghuge forts maintaining big armies, they needed more resources forwhich they collected taxes. Consider the following about it.1. Taxes on crop were fixed at a certain share of the total produce.2. Craft persons were made to pay taxes.3. Hunter gatherers and herders were exempt from taxes as it wasnot possible to enumerate them as a part of any specific empire.4. Trade was tax-free but a surcharge was levied on special categoryof goods.Select the correct answer using the codes below.a)1 and 2 onlyb)1, 3 and 4 onlyc)2 and 3 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for As the rulers of the mahajanapadas of the Common Era were buildinghuge forts maintaining big armies, they needed more resources forwhich they collected taxes. Consider the following about it.1. Taxes on crop were fixed at a certain share of the total produce.2. Craft persons were made to pay taxes.3. Hunter gatherers and herders were exempt from taxes as it wasnot possible to enumerate them as a part of any specific empire.4. Trade was tax-free but a surcharge was levied on special categoryof goods.Select the correct answer using the codes below.a)1 and 2 onlyb)1, 3 and 4 onlyc)2 and 3 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
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