Question

how were regular taxes imposed and collected in the mahajanapadas

Answer 1

Taxes were imposed on crops.This was most important since most people were farmers.

The tax was fixed at 1/6th of the production. This was known as bhaga or a share.

There were taxes on crafts men who paid it by providing their labour. For example a weaver or a smith would work for a day in every month for the king.

Taxes on herders were met by them by providing animals and animal produce.

Taxes were imposed on goods that were brought and sold through trade.

Hunters and gatherers also paid their taxes by providing the forest produce to the raja.