Question

The rulers of the mahajanapadas started collecting regular taxes to build forts and maintain their armies. Which of the following is not correct with respect to their taxation policies?

• A. Tax on crafts persons in the form of labour
• B. Tax on goods that were bought and sold
• C. Tax on agriculture in the form of 1/6th of the produce
• D. Did not tax herders

Answer 1

The correct option is D Did not tax herders

Explanation:

• Tax was imposed on everybody and different types of taxes were imposed.
• Among them, crop taxes were the most important as most people were farmers. The tax was fixed at 1/6th of the produce. This was known as bhaga or share.
• Herders were also expected to pay taxes in the form of animals and animal produce.
• There were taxes on craftspersons also, in the form of labour.
• There were also taxes on the trade of goods that were bought and sold.
• Hunters and gatherers provided forest produce as tax.

Solution: Option A - Did not tax herders