MasteryExams
History • Ancient IndiaMedium

The term 'Bhaga', frequently encountered in Vedic and post-Vedic economic literature, denotes:

A. A voluntary ritual tax offered to tribal chiefs
B. The king's traditional share of agricultural produce✓ Correct Answer
C. The compulsory forced labor extracted from peasants
D. A toll tax collected at city gates

💡 Solution & Explanation

The term bhaga historically represented the customary sixth share of agricultural output collected by the ruler from cultivators in ancient India. While voluntary offerings and forced labor existed under terms like bali and visti respectively, bhaga specifically functioned as a regular agrarian tax levied by the state administration. Understanding ancient revenue systems is crucial for tracing the evolution of taxation in Indian history.

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