Meaning of the term Udankuttam used during Chola Empire(Medieval History)
“Udankuttam” was a tax system that was prevalent during the Chola Empire in medieval South India. The term “Udankuttam” is derived from the Tamil words “Udan” meaning share and “Kuttam” meaning group or section.
Under this system, the Chola government divided the population into various occupational groups or professions, and each group was taxed based on their income and profession. The tax rate varied depending on the type of profession and the income of the group.
The Udankuttam system was considered to be an efficient and fair system of taxation, and it helped the Chola government to collect revenue from different sections of society in an equitable manner. The system also helped to encourage economic growth and development by providing incentives to people engaged in various professions.
The revenue generated from this tax system was used by the Chola government to finance various public works, such as the construction of temples, tanks, and irrigation systems. This helped to promote the economic and cultural development of the Chola Empire.
The Udankuttam system was an important part of the administrative and economic structure of the Chola Empire, and it played a significant role in the prosperity and stability of the empire. The system continued to be used in different forms in later periods of South Indian history, and it is remembered as an important legacy of the Chola Empire.