Latest news with #Ancient
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
7 most bizarre taxes from history that actually existed
Taxes are a part of life, and while modern ones like income or sales tax are familiar, history has seen some truly bizarre and surprising forms of taxation. Through the ages, governments have found unexpected ways to raise revenue, sometimes through targeting things as ordinary as beards or something as mood-lifting as playing cards. When we look back at some of these most unusual taxes, they often tell us about the society and priorities of the time, symbolising class structures, cultural norms, and also fashion trends. And while some taxes were designed to encourage conformity, others to stop some practices, and many just to squeeze more funds from the population. Many of these taxes eventually disappeared due to public backlash or impractical enforcement, leaving an interesting story in the record books. Here are seven of the strangest real taxes that existed in history The urine tax in Ancient Rome This was almost just as the Ancient Romans taxed pee! Introduced under Emperors Nero and Vespasian, the urine tax was placed on the buyers of urine, which was used at the time for tanning leather, laundering clothes, and even teeth whitening. Collectors of public urine were required to pay tax since it became a profitable commodity. The Latin phrase Pecunia non olet meaning 'money does not stink', reportedly originated from this, telling that profit was more important than how it was made. The beard tax in Russia and England Emperor Peter the Great of Russia, in 1698, wanted his people to adopt a more European look. So, he taxed facial hair. Those who wanted to keep their beards had to pay a fee and carry a beard token as proof. Earlier, Henry VIII had also taxed beards in England. As a result, beards became a symbol of status, meaning if you had one, you could afford to pay for it! The cowardice tax In medieval England, knights could avoid going to war by paying a tax called scutage, often mockingly called the "cowardice tax." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Franklin India NFO Investment Franklin Templeton India AMC Learn More Undo It started around the 1100s, letting landowning knights stay home rather than fight. Over time, it became a more general land tax and was eventually phased out by the 14th century. While this tax seemed practical, it often exposed the social tensions between duty and privilege. Window tax First introduced in England in 1696, the window tax was meant to tax wealthier homeowners who had more windows. But in crowded urban areas, it hit the poor hard too. To avoid paying, people bricked up their windows, leading to dark, poorly ventilated homes. This unhealthy condition led to public anger and was a major reason the tax was repealed in 1851. Playing card and dice tax It is true that there was a tax on fun. From the 16th century, and raised significantly in 1710, England taxed playing cards and dice. Cards became more expensive, leading to widespread forgery. The tax was charged until 1960. The wallpaper tax In 1712, Britain imposed a tax on patterned or decorated wallpaper, viewing it as a luxury and a way to target wealthier homeowners. To get around this, people began buying plain paper and hiring artists to paint designs directly on their walls. The tax stayed put until 1836. Clock and watch tax Back in 1797, Britain decided to put a tax on timepieces, including watches and clocks, specifically the ones made of precious metals! This was done to collect more revenue, as most clocks and watches were owned by the rich. Rates depended on how fancy the timepiece was, as gold ones cost more, of course. But people weren't happy. As clock owners and watchmakers pushed back hard. The tax caused so much frustration and avoidance that it was dropped just a year later, in 1798.
STV News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Tom Holland spotted at Scots harbour amid filming for The Odyssey
Tom Holland has been spotted at a Scots harbour amid filming for a new Christopher Nolan movie. The Spider-Man star was seen boarding a lifeboat at Burghead harbour on Monday, as fellow star Matt Damon was spotted across Moray in recent weeks. The Good Will Hunting icon also took a ride on the alpine coaster at Midlothian Snowsports Centre at the weekend while visiting with family. Filming is also to take place in Glasgow this summer for the new Spider-Man film, which Holland will star in. Peter Jolly Tom Holland in Burghead during filming for The Odyssey. Peter Jolly Images shared on social media this week showed the 29-year-old in Inverness with partner Zendaya, who also stars in the film. Nolan's adaptation of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, is slated to premiere in cinemas in July 2026. Some filming for the 'mythic action' movie is taking place at Findlater Castle overlooking the Moray Firth. The film boasts an ensemble cast jam-packed with stars including Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron and Jon Bernthal. Midlothian Council Matt Damon riding the alpine coaster in Midlothian. Midlothian Council The movie follows the Ancient Greek king of Ithaca's journey home after the Trojan War. Nolan and his cast are shooting across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. Earlier this month, the world's largest ocean-going Viking-style longship sailed into Buckie Harbour as part of the shoot in the north of Scotland. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Time of India
DJ court rejects plea to transfer Gyanvapi original suit from FTC
Varanasi: The court of the district judge (DJ) on Monday rejected the plea of three women demanding the transfer of Gyanvapi original suit number 610/1991, Ancient Idol of Swayambhu Lord Vishweshwar vs Anjuman Intezamia Masjid (Gyanvapi mosque management committee), from the fast track court (FTC) of civil judge senior division (FTC) to any other competent court. Advocate Vijay Shankar Rastogi, who is contesting this suit as the next friend of the deity, said that District Judge Jayprakash Tiwari, who reserved his order after the completion of the hearing on this transfer application moved by the three women, including Manikuntala, Renu Pandey and Neelam Mishra on Saturday, delivered it on Monday. The court dismissed the transfer application, he added. These three women applicants are daughters of one of the three litigants, the late Harihar Pandey, who filed original suit no. 610/1991 in 1991 to seek the removal of the mosque from Gyanvapi land. Pandey's two sons also moved an application before the Varanasi court to become a party in the case, but their plea was also dismissed.
The National
04-07-2025
- The National
Holyrood Park's Low Road to partially re-open after 4-month closure
In March, the Low Road was closed after geotechnical inspections at Samson's Ribs revealed a risk of rockfall. The road's closure has led to events such as the Edinburgh Marathon and Edinburgh's Moonwalk to be rerouted. HES's latest statement also confirms ongoing efforts to explore options to safely re-open the road, beyond just the pavement. These include a range of technical designs currently being evaluated by specialist engineers. READ MORE: Glasgow Airport strike may have significant impact union 'keen to avoid' However, securing permissions, design approval, and funding for any road solution means this work could take 12-18 months to complete. An update is expected in two months. In an update to residents, the park management team said a 0.8 m tall concrete barrier, topped with a 2.2 m fence, will be installed alongside the pavement, and 0.3 m of aggregate will be laid on the carriageway to absorb falling debris and prevent rocks from bouncing into the cleared area. HES said it expects to finish this phase by the end of July, at which point the pavement will re-open and update signage will be installed. Work will begin from Monday 14 July, HES has since the closure emphasised action taken was a precaution to protect walkers, cyclists, and drivers as part of a longstanding rock safety programme in the park, an SSSI and Scheduled Ancient Monument. Another road, the Radical Road (campaigners below), has been closed since 2018 after a large rockfall. One recent engineering report noted 17 slate-rock incidents on Salisbury Crags since 2007, including a 50‑tonne fall in September 2023. Options considered ranged from permanent closure to installing netting or skipping the path entirely. Work toward safer access continues. Local campaigners and park users have long pressed HES to expedite reopening. In March, residents said they were frustrated at prolonged closures, citing traffic disruption and increased congestion in Duddingston when the Low Road was shut. Martin Gray from HES told residents: "Work will commence week beginning Monday July 14 to put in place the required infrastructure to enable safe pedestrian and dismounted cyclist access to return to this pavement." He added: "The target for completion of this installation work is the end of July. We will announce once the pavement has re-opened and signage in the surrounding area will be updated accordingly. READ MORE: 'How can we improve Holyrood Park?': Public asked to help with green space "In parallel to this work, our team, along with independent geo-technical engineers, have continued to consider, refine, and collate options which may permit safe public access to the carriageway. "These wide ranging and comprehensive options being considered will be presented to our Executive Leadership Team for consideration and agreement on next steps. Due to the complexities involved in the design options, resourcing, gaining relevant and legally required permissions, and subsequent construction of any option chosen, we would expect this work to take between twelve and eighteen months to complete. "We will provide a further update on our progress in two months' time."
STV News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Matt Damon in Scotland to film Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey
Hollywood star Matt Damon has been pictured in Scotland where he is filming Christopher Nolan's new film The Odyssey. The Good Will Hunting actor posed for photos with gymgoers at Motion Fitness in Buckie, Moray, and staff at Cullen Antiques Centre. The movie is an adaptation of Homer's epic poem about the heroic king Odysseus – portrayed by Damon. Peter Jolly Hollywood star Matt Damon posed for photos with gymgoers at Motion Fitness in Buckie, Moray. Peter Jolly It's described by Universal Pictures as a 'mythic action epic' and is filming at Findlater Castle overlooking the Moray Firth. The film boasts an ensemble cast jam-packed with stars including Zendaya, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron and Jon Bernthal. Universal Pictures The Odyssey: A promotional image of star Matt Damon in costume as Odysseus. Universal Pictures The movie follows the Ancient Greek king of Ithaca's journey home after the Trojan War. Nolan and his cast are shooting across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. Earlier this month, the world's largest ocean-going Viking-style longship sailed into Buckie Harbour as part of the shoot in the north of Scotland. It is due to be released on July 17, 2026. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
