What was the 'Athavane'?

It was the specialized department of the Vijayanagara government that handled all matters related to land revenue assessment and collection.

Economy of Medieval South India

UPSC Archival Analysis

Q: What was the chief characteristic of the financial system of Vijayanagara Empire?

Land revenue was the primary source of income for the Vijayanagara Empire. The state categorized land by fertility and collected between 1/6th and 1/4th of the produce as tax through the Athavane department.

Exam Year

1994

Evidence Source

Link

ID: MED_VIJ_1994_175 Ref: K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, A History of South India