Qanun al-kharaj

Definition of "Qanun al-kharaj"

Prevalent in the days of ‘Abbasids (AD 750–945), the qanwn referred to an official register (daftar) containing basic data of taxable and arable lands. Information in this register was used for assess- ing tax on land. Enabling surveys, undertaken for each village, began in Qumm, Persia in AD 804. Detailed instructions specifying duties of a surveyor (masih), survey method and assessment rates were provided. In keeping with contemporary overhauls of fiscal policies, updates in the qanwn were quite common.