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U.P.P.C.S. Mains 2011

Khalji Economic Administration

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which Sultan of Delhi was the first to charge 'Ghari' or House-tax?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Alauddin Khalji needed a massive treasury to support his standing army. He expanded the tax net beyond agricultural land to include urban properties and livestock.

Explanation Historical records from Ziauddin Barani confirm that Alauddin introduced two new taxes: 'Ghari' (on houses) and 'Chari' (on pastures/grazing animals).

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: The 'Ghari' tax was a direct levy on residential houses, marking a shift toward taxing urban wealth.
Logic 2: Along with 'Chari' (grazing tax), these measures ensured that no section of society could evade contributing to the state's military expenses.

Active Recall

Question

What was the purpose of the Chari tax?

Answer

It was a tax levied on all milk-producing and grazing animals to generate revenue from the pastoral economy.

Core Insight

Alauddin's taxation system was designed to strip both the rural and urban elite of surplus wealth to prevent rebellions while funding imperial defense.

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