The tax that had the most severe effect on pastoralists in India was the tax per cattle head.

Explanation:

During the colonial period in India, the British government imposed various taxes on Indian people to generate revenue for their administration. These taxes affected different sections of society in different ways.

The pastoralists, who were mainly involved in rearing cattle, were the worst affected by the tax per cattle head. This tax was levied on every single head of cattle that the pastoralists owned, regardless of whether they were used for milk, transportation, or ploughing. This tax made it difficult for the pastoralists to maintain their livelihood and take care of their cattle.

Impact of tax per cattle head on pastoralists:

1. Economic burden: The tax per cattle head imposed an enormous economic burden on pastoralists. They had to pay the tax every year, which reduced their income and savings.

2. Reduced cattle population: To avoid paying the tax, many pastoralists were forced to sell their cattle, which reduced the cattle population in the country. This had a severe impact on the economy, as cattle were essential for agriculture and transportation.

3. Migration: The tax per cattle head forced many pastoralists to migrate to other regions in search of grazing lands where they could rear their cattle without paying the tax. This led to the displacement of many pastoral communities and disrupted their traditional way of life.

4. Poverty: The tax per cattle head pushed many pastoralists into poverty, as they were unable to earn enough to sustain their livelihoods. They had to rely on loans from moneylenders, which further exacerbated their economic problems.

Conclusion:

Thus, the tax per cattle head had a severe impact on the pastoralists in India, and it was one of the major reasons for the decline of the pastoral economy in the country.