Consider the following statements regarding the taxation system during...
As the rulers of the mahajanapadas were (a) building huge forts (b) maintaining big armies, they needed more resources. 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 most people were farmers. Usually, the tax was fixed at 1/6th of what was produced. This was known as bhaga or a share.
Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
- There were taxes on crafts persons as well. 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.
Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- Herders were also expected to pay taxes in the form of animals and animal produce.
- There were also taxes on goods that were bought and sold, through trade.
Hence, statement 3 is correct.
- And hunters and gatherers also had to provide forest produce to the raja.
Consider the following statements regarding the taxation system during...
The correct answer is option 'B': Only two statements.
Explanation:
1. Tax on Agriculture: The statement that the tax on agriculture was fixed at 3/4th of what was produced is incorrect. During the Mahajanapada period, which refers to the ancient kingdoms in India from 600 BCE to 325 BCE, there was no fixed percentage or standard rate of taxation on agricultural produce. The tax on agriculture varied from kingdom to kingdom and was determined by the king or the ruling authority. It could be a certain percentage of the produce or a fixed amount depending on the prevailing conditions and needs of the kingdom. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
2. Taxes on Crafts persons: The statement that there were taxes on crafts persons is correct. The Mahajanapadas had a system of taxation that extended beyond agriculture. Crafts persons, such as artisans, weavers, metalworkers, etc., were also subject to taxation. They had to pay taxes on their income or the goods they produced. The taxes levied on crafts persons varied according to the type of craft and the kingdom they belonged to. This taxation system helped the rulers in generating revenue and maintaining the economy of the kingdom. Therefore, statement 2 is correct.
3. Taxes on Trade: The statement that there were taxes on goods that were bought and sold, through trade, is not mentioned in the given statements. However, it is important to note that during the Mahajanapada period, trade and commerce were flourishing, and it is highly likely that there were taxes on goods that were bought and sold. Traders and merchants would have been subjected to taxes, tolls, or duties on the goods they traded. This was another source of revenue for the ruling authorities. However, since the statement is not given, we cannot consider it as correct or incorrect.
In conclusion, only statement 2 is correct, which states that there were taxes on crafts persons during the Mahajanapada period.
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