WBCS.LIVE practice question

Which among the following refers to ‘unpaid labour’?

Solve this multiple-choice question and check the correct answer with its explanation below.

Answer options

  1. Shulka
  2. Udranga
  3. Bali
  4. Bisthi

Correct answer and explanation

Correct answer: Bisthi

Explanation: ✅ Correct Answer: D. Bisthi 📚 Explanation: During the Gupta and post-Gupta periods, 'Bisthi' (or Visti) referred to 'forced or unpaid labor' that the state could demand from the peasantry. It was a form of labor tax where villagers had to work on government projects for free. This practice was often a source of great hardship for the common people. Terms like 'Bali' and 'Shulka' referred to different types of religious or administrative taxes.