Trade and Trade Routes in Ancient India c8.71

c8.71

In the time of danger to the state, the king imposed fresh taxes most of which were borne by merchants. Bullion merchants selling gold and silver, jewellers dealing in diamond, pearls and corals and merchants selling elephants and horses had to pay a tax of five hundred *paṇas* each. Merchants selling yarn, cloths, metals, sandalwood and wines had to pay four hundred *paṇas* each. Merchants dealing in gram, oil, iron and vehicles had to pay three hundred *paṇas* each. Dealers in glass and first rate artisans had to pay a tax of hundred *paṇas* each. But the hand of the state fell very heavily on prostitutes and acrobats who had to part with half of their income. But the greatest sufferers were goldsmiths. Taking them to be biggest blackmarketeers their whole property was confiscated by the state.³⁹