State and Government in Ancient India c20.181

c20.181

Epigraphs often refer to these benevolences and extra taxes. Rudradāman (*c.* 150 A.D.) proudly states that he carried out the huge project of the Sudarśana lake without troubling the people either with forced labour or benevolences. It is clear from this that extra levies were normal when such huge works were undertaken. Virarājendra is known to have levied a special tax of one *kalāñju* of gold per *veli* to finance his war against the Chālukyas of Veṅgi.⁵ The *turushka-daṇḍa*, which was levied by the Gāhaḍawālas throughout their kingdom, was a special tax, the proceeds of which were most probably intended to meet the cost of extra military forces and preparations to meet the danger of the Muslim invasions.⁶