Correct Answer: (a) It was considered a source of income for the state, a sort of tax paid by the people
Solution:Vishti was a form of forced labour enforced by either state, provincial Governor or local chief. It is also mentioned in Gupta copper inscriptions that list out a variety of taxes. Junagarh inscription mentions vishti as one form of tax, which indicates that it was imposed in Gujarat and Malwa region. Since it was forced labour in lieu of tax, it was not wage labour. Wage labour existed in ancient India, but it was not called Vishti. Vishti could be imposed on anyone, not in particular on eldest son only.