Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
In the Mauryan period, tax evasion was punished with-
Solution & Analysis
Answer: A
Concept
The Mauryan state was a total fiscal state, where revenue was considered the life-blood of the empire's massive military and bureaucracy.Explanation
According to the Greek ambassador Megasthenes, the Mauryan government was so strict about revenue that the penalty for the non-payment or evasion of the 1/10th sales tax was Death.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: The state maintained a massive army of spies and revenue collectors (Samaharta) to prevent loss to the treasury.
Logic 2: Harsh punishments served as a deterrent to maintain the centralized economic control required to hold the subcontinental empire together.