Latest / The Chola Empire: How South India Dominated the Indian Ocean — Fexingo History
The Chola Empire's Census: Taxing Every Palm Tree
In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into the remarkable administrative machinery of the Chola Empire: the census and land revenue system. Drawing from inscriptions at Uttaramerur and the Tiruvalangadu plates, Lucas explains how Rajaraja Chola I conducted a detailed survey of every plot of land, every well, and even every palm tree in his domain. They explore the role of the sabha — the village assembly — in assessing taxes, maintaining irrigation, and resolving disputes. Luna asks about the practical challenges of tallying crops and collecting revenue across a vast empire without modern…
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