Question

Mention some articles of trade on which temple authorities collected taxes?

Answer 1

Hint: The temple was an important Hindu kingdom institution. Previously, the temple officials collected a significant number of taxes on a variety of items. The tax was collected in both cash and in kind. The temple's wealth was utilised to finance trade and banking.

Complete answer:
The major villages evolved into towns over time. Once a large temple or Saint, for example, was built, believers began to gather and remain there. To meet the requirements of devotees or pilgrims, the priest, workers, artisans, handicraftsmen, flower sellers, businessmen, and others congregated near the temple. As a result, settlements grew gradually.

Jaggery and sugar, thread, cotton, colours, salt, coconut, butter, areca nuts, textiles, and sesame oil all had in-kind taxes. There were also taxes on traders, taxes on those who sold metal to distillers, goods, cattle feed, oil, and loads of grain. Some of the taxes were paid in kind, while others were paid in cash.

Temples played an important role in both economics and society. Temples were built by rulers/kings to show their devotion to various gods. They also provided temples land and money so that they could execute complex rites, feed pilgrims, and hold festivals for priests and pilgrims. Pilgrims who flocked to the temples made donations as well. Temple leaders utilised their money to fund trade and banking. To service the requirements of the pilgrims and their families, many priests, craftsmen, workers, and merchants gradually sat in close proximity to the temple.

Note: Samanta or zamindars established temples to collect taxes from traders, artisans, and commodities of commerce, and occasionally donated the right to collect these taxes to local temples that they had built themselves.