Question

examine the nature of the economy of the mauryan period

Answer 1

the mauryan economy was indeed a sound one.The Mauryas established a centralized government which contributed to the economic progress of the country. During that time agriculture flourished greatly. Hunters were particularly employed to clear the jungle areas of wild animals so that such areas could be brought under cultivation. Arthasastra recommends that in the time of emergency, the land tax might be enhanced up to 1/3rd of the produce of the soil.  Apart from tax on land, the Mauryan empire depended collected several other items of taxes from land. They were water or irrigation tax from the area where water was supplied from rivers. There were as many as 18 types of industries during this period. For example: iron mines as one of the chief source of Magadha power.In the Mauryan period the rise of big traders and merchants can be noticed. Money lending was a good business. The big traders used to borrow money for trade and paid interest. so we can say that under great rulers like Ashoka the economy flourished greatly