This is the first book to study taxation and revenue collection through a detailed analysis of public finance and financial administration in four major Indian texts, namely Mahabharata, Manusmriti, Shukranitisar and Arthashastra, as philosophers trained in the Indian classic tradition and scholars working on ancient Indian wisdom mostly prefer a more abstract approach. India has a long tradition of at least two millennia of active philosophizing in the fields of logic, ethics, epistemology and metaphysics, though many in the West feel hesitant in according it the title “philosophy” in their sense of the word. Furthermore, few in India have taken it beyond philosophy towards active knowledge. This book re-visits and re-interprets the contexts of these texts with logic and objectivity to bring the pearls of knowledge found within into the present day, showing that Sanskrit is still the lingua franca of intellectual dialogue in India.

This Book Attempts To Deal With All The Important Aspects Of Taxation From The Earliest Times In India Upto The Gupta Period. Besides, It Aims To Present A Comparative Study Of The Priciples And Tenets Of Ancient Indian Tax System And The Modern Fiscal Developments.

This book is an attempt to focus the attention on the sound economic ideas, magnificent financial management prevalent in ancient India. To start with a comparative position of ancient India and other ancient seats of civilization in this regard has been highlighted. The principles of Taxation, classification of Revenues–both from tax and non-tax sources and various taxes in vogue such as Land Revenue, Customs, Excise Duty, Sales Tax, Excess Profits Tax, Octroi etc. and also revenue from non-tax sources feature in the few subsequent chapters. The principles of expenditure and classification of State expenditure–Military, Civil and Welfare-oriented expenditures–are dealt with in the next few chapters. Financial Administration and methods of Accounting and also Budget including performance budget have been discussed. The findings of this book are based not only on the literary sources but also on the epigraphical evidences.

Taxes are imposed so that a government may perform its traditional functions (defence, and maintenance of law and order), undertake welfare and developmental activities, and make provision for public goods to satisfy collective needs of the people. It has also to pay for its own administration. After Independence in 1947, the Indian tax system has undergone major structural changes. It has become comprehensive and complicated over the years. A historic tax reform in the form of goods and services tax (GST) was introduced in India from July 1, 2017. This book provides an exhaustive and critical account of various aspects of the Indian tax system in historical settings. It places current developments in the field of taxation in perspective. The book contains 22 chapters which have been organized into 3 parts. Part I (chapters 1 and 2) is titled Taxes in Ancient and Medieval India. The detailed analysis given in Manu Smriti and Arthashastra on the subject shows the existence of a well-planned taxation system, even in ancient times. Taxes were paid in the form of gold coins, cattle, grains, raw materials and also by rendering personal services. Similarly, there were various types of taxes during the Sultanate period and the Mughal rule. Land revenue by far was the most important source of income for the Mughal rulers. The land revenue system adopted by Akbar has been greatly admired by historians. Part II (chapters 3 to 8) is titled Taxes during British Rule. It explains and examines the financial administration of the British rulers and the introduction of income tax, excise duties and sales tax by them. Rationalization of customs duties, and the working of federal-provincial financial relations are also discussed in this part. Part III (chapters 9 to 22) is titled Post-Independence History of Taxation. This part is further sub-divided into Part III (A) and Part III (B). Part III (A) (chapters 9 to 14) is titled Multiple and Punitive Taxation during Pre-reforms Period (1947 to 1990). It explains the policy of integrated direct tax system introduced soon after Independence in 1947. It also describes the structure of income tax, excise duties, customs duties and sales tax. Part III (B) (chapters 15 to 22) is titled Moderate and Rationalized Tax System in the Post-reforms Period (Since 1991). It deals with approach to tax reforms, rationalization and simplification of income tax, excise duties and customs tariff, introduction of service tax, and states switch over from sales tax to value added tax (VAT). It also discusses the main features of goods and services tax (GST) introduced from July 1, 2017. The book also contains an appendix which lays out current constitutional provisions pertaining to distribution of taxation powers between the Centre and the States.