Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
What was the chief characteristic of the financial system of Vijayanagara Empire?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: B
Concept
Despite being a major trading power with dozens of seaports, the internal stability of the Vijayanagara Empire rested on its ability to tax its highly productive agricultural heartland.Explanation
Land Revenue was the chief characteristic and mainstay of the Vijayanagara financial system. Managed by the Athavane department, the land was meticulously categorized into wet, dry, orchard, and woods. The tax usually ranged from one-sixth to one-fourth of the total agricultural output.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: While seaport income (Option C) was vast due to spice and horse trade, it was land revenue that funded the daily administration and the massive provincial armies.
Logic 2: The system was highly organized, with specific rates for different types of land, ensuring that the burden was distributed based on the land's productive capacity.