Public Finance In Ancient India

This book is an attempt to focus the attention on the sound economic ideas, magnificent financial management prevalent in ancient India. To start with a comparative position of ancient India and other ancient seats of civilization in this regard has been highlighted. The principles of Taxation, classification of Revenues–both from tax and non-tax sources and various taxes in vogue such as Land Revenue, Customs, Excise Duty, Sales Tax, Excess Profits Tax, Octroi etc. and also revenue from non-tax sources feature in the few subsequent chapters. The principles of expenditure and classification of State expenditure–Military, Civil and Welfare-oriented expenditures–are dealt with in the next few chapters. Financial Administration and methods of Accounting and also Budget including performance budget have been discussed. The findings of this book are based not only on the literary sources but also on the epigraphical evidences.

This Book Attempts To Deal With All The Important Aspects Of Taxation From The Earliest Times In India Upto The Gupta Period. Besides, It Aims To Present A Comparative Study Of The Priciples And Tenets Of Ancient Indian Tax System And The Modern Fiscal Developments.

This is the first book to study taxation and revenue collection through a detailed analysis of public finance and financial administration in four major Indian texts, namely Mahabharata, Manusmriti, Shukranitisar and Arthashastra, as philosophers trained in the Indian classic tradition and scholars working on ancient Indian wisdom mostly prefer a more abstract approach. India has a long tradition of at least two millennia of active philosophizing in the fields of logic, ethics, epistemology and metaphysics, though many in the West feel hesitant in according it the title “philosophy” in their sense of the word. Furthermore, few in India have taken it beyond philosophy towards active knowledge. This book re-visits and re-interprets the contexts of these texts with logic and objectivity to bring the pearls of knowledge found within into the present day, showing that Sanskrit is still the lingua franca of intellectual dialogue in India.

These papers examine aspects of fiscal reform in India while focusing on issues of policy relevance.

"In spite of extensive fiscal reforms undertaken during the nineties, Indias public finances face numerous problems. While the taxation system remains distortionary and fragmented, government expenditures remain inefficient in providing public and merit goods to the desired extent. Vertical imbalance and horizontal disparities characterise the federal fiscal system. The fiscal reform years have witnessed a sharp rise in the fiscal imbalance and deterioration in state finances. his book undertakes a comprehensive review of the contemporary issues in Indias public finances within a long-term perspective tracing its evolution since 1950-51. It critically analyses the causes of fiscal imbalance, the tensions that prevail in centre-state financial relations, the progress of decentralization, and issues related with the structure of taxation as well as government expenditures. It examines the impact of public finances on the macro economy and looks at fiscal policy options for growth, stability and poverty alleviation. "

Public Finance Is A Study Of Collection Of Revenue From The Public By The Government And Spending It For The Welfare Of Society. Although An Important Part Of Economics, Public Finance, As A Science Is Older Than Economics Itself. Actually, It Was The Forerunner Of Science To Which It Is Now Subordinate. The Writings Of Cameralists Dealt More Fully With This Part Of The Field Of Political Economy Than With Any Other.During The Last Two Decades Or So, Every Branch Of Economics Has Undergone Considerable Change Under The Impact Of Keynesian New Economics. Realising This, Many Foreign Writers Have Attempted To Recast Public Finance Theory By Incorporating Keynesian Analysis. Indian Writers, However, Have, By And Large, Modeled Their Treatment Of The Subject On The Once Famous But Now Largely Out Of Date Dalton S Public Finance.This Book, In 2 Volumes, Brings To Light The Changes That Have Come About And Comprehensively Covers Various Aspects Of Public Finance Theory, Revenue, Debt And Expenditure. Construction Of Chapters And Enlisting Of Questions Have Been Done After Making A Wide Analysis Of The Syllabi Prescribed For The Subject In Various Indian Universities, Following The Pattern Of Questions Asked In Different Examinations. The Text Has Been Supplemented With Tables And Figures Which Have Been Updated From Authentic Sources. Opinions Of Established Economists And Erudite Scholars Have Been Cited In Each Major Topic Relating To Public Finance To Substantiate The Text. Every Effort Has Been Made To Keep The Style Lucid And The Approach Analytical.The Book Caters To The Academic Needs Of The Postgraduate, Graduate And Undergraduate Students Of Economics. It Is Equally Useful For Those Pursuing Mba And M.Com. Courses. In Addition, The Aspiring Candidates For Various Competitive Examinations Will Find This Book Highly Useful. It Will Prove An Ideal Reference Book For Teachers And Researchers.

Contributed articles.