Previous Year Question

In the Mauryan economic and revenue system, Sita was associated with agricultural land directly controlled by the state. The income obtained from such crown land was known as Sita.

A separate agricultural department existed for the management of crown lands, and its chief officer was known as the Sitadhyaksha. His duties included managing state agricultural lands, procuring and preserving suitable seeds, and supervising agricultural operations.

While understanding the Mauryan agricultural revenue system, the distinction between Sita and Bhaga is important. Sita was associated with income from crown land, whereas Bhaga was the state's share in the produce of ordinary cultivators, that is, land revenue.

Kautilya's Arthashastra shows that the Mauryan state itself played a direct role in agricultural production. Income from fertile agricultural lands under state control constituted an important source of royal revenue.