With reference to theMahajanapadas, which of the following statementsi...
Mahajanapadas
- As the rulers of the Mahajanapadas were building huge forts, maintaining big armies, they needed more resources. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- And they needed officials to collect these. So, instead of depending on occasional gifts brought by people, as in the case of the Raja of the Janapadas, they started collecting regular taxes.
- Taxes on crops were the most important.
- This was because agriculture was the main occupation at that time.
- Usually, the tax was fixed at 1/6th of what was produced. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- This was known as bhaga or a share.
- There were taxes on craftspersons as well. Hence, statement 4 is correct.
- These could have been in the form of labor.
- For example, a weaver or a smith may have had to work for a day every month for the king.
- Herders were also expected to pay taxes in the form of animals and animal products. Hence, statement 3 is Not correct.
- There were also taxes on goods that were bought and sold, through trade.
- And hunters and gatherers also had to provide forest produce to the raja.
With reference to theMahajanapadas, which of the following statementsi...
Incorrect Statement:
Statement C: The taxes were collected in the form of goods only.
Explanation:
1. Taxes in the Mahajanapadas:
- In the Mahajanapadas, taxes were collected in various forms, not just limited to goods.
- The rulers imposed various taxes such as crop tax, trade tax, profession tax, and property tax.
2. Crop Tax:
- The crop tax was fixed at a specific percentage of what was produced, typically around 1/6th or 1/4th of the total produce.
- This tax was collected in the form of grains or agricultural products.
3. Taxes on Craftspersons:
- Apart from agricultural taxes, there were also taxes levied on craftspersons based on their profession.
- These artisans were required to pay a portion of their earnings to the ruling authority.
4. Taxes in Goods and Currency:
- While goods were a significant form of tax collection, currencies such as coins were also used for tax payments.
- The rulers of the Mahajanapadas utilized a combination of goods, services, and currency for tax collection to meet the financial requirements of the state.
Therefore, statement C, which suggests that taxes were collected only in the form of goods, is incorrect. Taxes in the Mahajanapadas were collected through a combination of goods, services, and currency to sustain the governance and administration of the ancient kingdoms.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed UPSC study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in UPSC.