<P> Salt is a commodity which had been taxed in India ever since the time of the Mauryas . Taxes on salt have been prevalent even during the time of Chandragupta Maurya . The Arthashastra, which describes the different duties of the people, says that a special officer called lavananadhyaksa was appointed to collect salt tax . Taxes were also imposed on imported salt . However, they accounted for 25 percent of the total value of the salt . </P> <P> In Bengal, there was a salt tax in vogue during the era of the Mughal Empire, which was 5% for Hindus and 2.5% for Muslims . </P> <P> In 1759, two years after its victory at the Battle of Plassey, the British East India Company came into possession of land near Calcutta where there were salt works . Utilizing this opportunity to make money, they doubled the land rent and imposed transit charges on the transportation of salt . </P> <P> In 1764, following the victory at the Battle of Buxar, the British began to control all the revenues of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa . Robert Clive, who returned as Governor - General in 1765, made the sale of tobacco, betel nut, and salt (apart from other accessories and essential spices and condiments), the monopoly of the senior officers of the British East India Company . Contracts were given to deliver salt to depots, and merchants were required to buy from these depots . </P>

When was the salt tax imposed by the british government