Mit'a System

The Mit'a system was a labor tribute used by the Inca Empire, where communities provided a certain number of workers to fulfill state demands, particularly in agriculture, mining, and construction. Instead of extracting taxes in money, the government required people to contribute their labor for specific periods. This allowed the state to mobilize large workforces for major projects like roads and temples while ensuring that everyone in society contributed to the common good. Although it served the empire’s needs, it could be burdensome for those who had to leave their own farms or families behind.