Question

Which of the following statements about trade regulations in the Mauryan period is not correct?
A. There was a general control over processes and profits.
B. The sale of merchandise was strictly supervised by the state.
C. The general tax levied on merchandise was fixed at one-tenth.
D. The state directly employed one of the artisans, such as armorers, shipbuilders, etc.

Answer 1

Hint In the Mauryan period, the State played a vital role in the matter of trade. The revenue, at that time, depended largely on the profits gained by the sales of various goods which used to be stored in factories and other workshops.

Complete step-by-step solution
The State was eventually the biggest trader in the country and had full control over the entire trade system. The prices would be controlled and managed by the State keeping their own interests in mind and safeguarding it.
There were certain rules and regulations provided by the State such as:
No goods can be sold at a place where they originally belonged to or in areas where they were crafted and manufactured in the fields or factories.
The goods had to be carried to the appointed markets (Panya-sala) only, and the dealer will have the full authority to declare the quantity, quality, and prices of the goods. All this data would be then examined and registered in books.
No trader was allowed to sell goods without a license.
A trader from another region had to obtain a passport in addition.

Thus, option (C) is correct.

Additional Information The State even posted an army of spies or market investors to protect the public and consumers against unauthorized prices and fraudulent transactions.

Note It was the responsibility of the Superintendent of Commerce to fix the wholesale prices of goods as they were entered in the Customs House. Apart from this, the smuggling of goods and strikes of workmen to raise wages was considered illegal and was highly punishable.