During the Gupta Empire, the term 'Uparikara' was used for:
- AA voluntary offering by people to the king
- BAn extra tax levied on all subjects
- CThe king's customary share of the produce, normally one-sixth of it
- DPeriodic supplies of fruits, firewood, flowers, etc.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (b) An extra tax levied on all subjects
Explanation
In Gupta land grants, uparikara was an additional tax, over and above the regular land revenue. It is generally explained as a levy on cultivators who had no permanent rights in the land (temporary tenants).
The other options describe other dues:
- a voluntary offering to the king was bali (it later became compulsory);
- the king's customary share of the produce, usually one-sixth, was bhaga;
- periodic supplies of fruits, firewood, flowers and the like were bhoga.