The tax on crops, fixed at 1/6th of the produce.
Explanation
During the period of the Mahajanapadas (c. 600 BCE), the political structure shifted from tribal chieftaincies to territorial states. To maintain standing armies and administrative machinery, rulers replaced voluntary tributes (Bali) with a system of mandatory taxation.
Detailed Analysis:
- The ritual sacrifice performed by the King. is incorrect: Ritual sacrifices performed by the King were known as Yajnas (e.g., Ashvamedha, Rajasuya). While these were important for legitimizing royal power, they are not referred to as 'Bhaga'.
- The standing army maintained by the state. is incorrect: The standing army maintained by the state was a new development in this era, but it was not called 'Bhaga'. The army was typically led by the Senapati, and the soldiers were paid from the revenue collected through taxes like Bhaga.
- The tax on crops, fixed at 1/6th of the produce. is correct: The term ‘Bhaga’ literally means "share." In the context of the Mahajanapadas, it referred to the specific tax levied on agricultural produce. It was customarily fixed at 1/6th of the produce and was the most important source of state revenue. It was collected by an official known as the Bhagadugha.
- The assembly of elders in a republican state. is incorrect: The assembly of elders in a republican state (Gana-Sangha) was typically known as the Sabha or the ruling council (often consisting of Rajas). It is distinct from the revenue terminology.
Key Takeaway:
Bhaga was the mandatory agricultural tax fixed at 1/6th of the produce, serving as the primary revenue source for the Mahajanapada states to support their administration and standing armies.