Question

Which tax was introduced by Vishwanatha Nayak?
A.Kharaj
B.Jizya
C.Kaval pitchai
D.Chari

Answer 1

Hint: This tax was paid to the palakiyar. These were basically in charge of the military and the management and revenue administration.

Complete answer:
Kharaj refers to a type of individual Islamic tax over the agricultural land and its produce developed under Islamic law, this tax was imposed by the muslim conquests.

Jizya is defined as a per capita yearly taxation which was historically levied in the form of financial charge on the permanent non-Muslim subjects of a state which was governed by the Islamic law.

Kaval pitchai refers to the tax that was paid by the people to the palakiyar and they were in charge of the military and the management as well as the revenue administration. Vishwanatha Nayak was the one who had introduced the Kaval pitchai tax. Viswanatha Nayak was also known as the Vijayanagara official or the viceroy to Madurai in southern India during the 16th century. Afterwards, he became the ruler of Madurai after the fall of the Vijayanagara empire. Also, he is the founder of the Nayak dynasty of Madurai.

Chari refers to one of the ancient Hindu terminologies of taxes. This is basically a scale of agrarian tax at 50% and was the highest under Khilji among all other sultans and kings present so far in India. Not only this, he also imposed house tax ( named Ghari) and pasture tax (named Charai or Chari) over the agrarian population.

Hence the correct answer is ‘C’.

Note: Viswanatha Nayak was supported by his general Ariyanatha Mudaliar who had led the army of Vishwanatha Nayak. He became second in command as well as took the power along with the latter in Tirunelveli district in southern India. Viswantha Nayak was then succeeded by his son who's name was Krishnappa Nayak who with his father's able minister Ariyanatha expanded the Kingdom of Madurai under the Nayaks and brought most of the ancient and traditional Pandyan territory under its rule.