Vetti tax that is mentioned in the inscriptions of the Chola dynasty was taken in _________ form.
Forced labour
Understanding the Chola Dynasty and the Vetti Tax
The Chola dynasty was a powerful kingdom in South India known for its extensive administration and numerous inscriptions which provide valuable information about their society and economy. These inscriptions often detail the types of taxes collected by the state.
What was Vetti Tax in the Chola Period?
One of the taxes mentioned in the inscriptions of the Chola dynasty is the Vetti tax. Historical records, particularly the detailed stone inscriptions from the Chola era, indicate the nature of this tax.
The Vetti tax was not collected in the form of cash, crops, or land revenue. Instead, it was a demand for labour without payment, essentially forced labour, that individuals had to provide to the state. This labour could be used for various public works, administrative tasks, or other requirements of the Chola rulers.
- Vetti was a compulsory contribution.
- It involved physical labour or service.
- No wages were paid for the work rendered under Vetti.
- It is clearly documented in Chola inscriptions as distinct from taxes paid in kind (like grain) or cash.
Vetti Tax vs. Other Forms of Taxation
During the Chola period, various taxes were levied. Land revenue (known by names like 'kadumai' or 'kadamai') was a primary source of income and was often collected in kind (crops) or sometimes in cash. However, Vetti was unique because it was a service obligation rather than a payment of wealth or produce.
Therefore, based on the evidence from Chola inscriptions, the Vetti tax specifically refers to labour exacted by the state without compensation.
Summary of Vetti Tax Form
In summary, the inscriptions of the Chola dynasty describe Vetti as a tax taken in the form of forced labour. This was a non-monetary contribution to the state.
| Tax Type | Form of Collection | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Vetti | Forced Labour | Chola Dynasty |
Revision Table: Chola Dynasty Vetti Tax
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Vetti Tax | A tax in the form of forced labour during the Chola dynasty, as documented in inscriptions. |
| Chola Inscriptions | Historical records carved on stone or copper, providing details about the administration, economy, and society of the Chola kingdom. |
| Forced Labour | Work exacted from individuals by the state without payment. |
Additional Information: Chola Period Taxation
The Chola administration had a sophisticated system of revenue collection. Besides Vetti (forced labour) and land revenue, other taxes included tolls, taxes on professions, house tax, and taxes on markets. The efficiency of this tax system contributed significantly to the wealth and power of the Chola empire, funding large temples, irrigation projects, and military campaigns. Inscriptions are the primary source materials that allow historians to understand these economic practices in detail.
Important Questions from Chola Empire Cheras Pandyas
At which one of the following places was a Shiva temple not constructed under the patronage of the Chola rulers?
Which of the following town was built by the ruler Vijayalaya in Kaveri delta?
Which of the following was a fishing colony that was used as a port for trading with the Romans and the Greco-Romans in ancient India?
Who among the following belonged to the ancient chiefly family of the Cholas from Uraiyur, captured the Kaveri delta from the Muttaraiyar in the middle of the ninth centuary?
Rajaraja I and Rajendra I belonged to the ________ dynasty.
