Visti (Forced Labour) in Ancient India
Summary
The article investigates the institution of visti, or forced labour, in ancient India by analysing Sanskrit texts, law codes, lexicons and inscriptions. It explains that visti (also called vistikara and aji) referred to corvée labour extracted by the state from certain classes, often in lieu of taxes. Lexicographers such as Monier‑Williams and medieval lawgivers defined the term as compulsory labour or drudgery. Evidence from Chinese travellers, Nepalese inscriptions and the Amarakosha indicates that visti was common and considered oppressive; the Amarakosha equates visti with punishments in the nether world. The article notes that people who could not pay taxes were obliged to provide labour and that corvée persisted into medieval times under the name begari. References in the Jataka tales, Kautilya’s Arthashastra and later inscriptions list professions required to perform visti and show that the state maintained records of such villages. The author contrasts visti with voluntary contributions (pannakara), suggesting that the latter might have evolved into forced labour. Overall, visti emerges as a systemic feature of public works and revenue administration.
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Conclusion
Through a review of literary and epigraphic sources, the study concludes that forced labour was an entrenched part of ancient Indian governance. Kings and local officials exacted unpaid work for building forts, dams and other state projects, particularly from those unable to contribute cash taxes. While some labour was offered voluntarily, corvée labour formed a significant and often burdensome obligation for commoners.