Income Tax in India
Taxation has played a crucial role in the governance of societies since ancient times, serving as a fundamental mechanism for sovereign states to finance public needs and maintain order. In ancient India, early indications of tax systems can be traced through archaeological discoveries, such as the inscriptions on Ashoka's pillars located at Lumbini. These inscriptions reveal that tax relief measures were initiated for the local population, wherein they were required to pay only one-eighth of their income as tax instead of the usual one-sixth. This not only illustrates the taxation structure but also highlights the socio-economic strategies employed by rulers to ensure the welfare of their subjects. ...