What was shulkha under mauryas?

Shulkha, during the Mauryan Empire, referred to a system of taxes and levies imposed on agricultural produce and trade. It was a crucial part of the state's revenue collection, enabling the Mauryan administration to maintain its vast bureaucracy and military. The tax was generally collected in kind, meaning a portion of the harvest or goods was taken rather than cash. This system helped sustain the economic stability of the empire and supported various public projects and welfare activities.