People and Taxes of Travancore

Abstract

The area known as Travancore covers the districts of Kanyakumari, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam etc. Here during the monarchy, the society was divided into two major divisions on the basis of religion as Hindus and non-Hindus. In Travancore the tax was to exploit the labor of the people. During the war they levied a war tax called fort money. People pay their taxes to the government to hold weddings and to celebrate festivals like Pongal, Deepavali and Onam. The levy was levied according to the value of the land. The tax was levied by creating systems such as halls, debates, and questions. Trees were also taxed. Apart from the coconut tree, the tax is levied on trees such as Iluppai, Kamuku, Bala, Pinai, Tamarind, Punna and Mango. Grain tax was levied depending on the size of the grain. The house tax Kuppakasa on the house where the people live is derived from the people. Business tax is levied on all occupations that people have been doing. Taxes are levied not only on businesses but also on business equipment. People in the monarchy were fined if they failed to pay taxes. They also pay taxes on the organs in the human body. Head tax is levied on all men between the ages of 16 and 60. Young women from the age of 16 are forced to pay tax on their breast augmentation, also known as breast augmentation. Women also paid thali to wear thali. Taxes were levied on tying turbans and wearing expensive clothing. People pay birth tax on birth and death tax on death. People also pay customs duty, tax on animals, umbrellas, fruits and everything in use.