Question

The kings of mahajanapadas started to collect regular taxes. Evaluate how tax was collected from each group.​

Answer 1

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

1. The tax was fixed at 1/6th of the production. This was known as bhaga or a share.
2. There were taxes on craftsmen who paid it by providing their labor. For example, a weaver or a smith would work for a day every month for the king.
3. Taxes on herders were met by them by providing animals and animal produce.
4. Taxes were imposed on goods that were brought and sold through the trade.
5. Hunters and gatherers also paid their taxes by providing forest produce to the raja.