Even Hyderabad’s first freedom fighter had to pay income tax to the Brits

Moulvi Syed Alauddin, a leader in the 1857 Hyderabad uprising, faced British income tax demands. After serving 26 years in prison, he received a monthly allowance from the Nizam. This allowance exceeded the income tax exemption threshold in 1886. The British Finance Department deemed his allowance clearly taxable despite arguments for exemption. Ultimately, the Foreign Department ruled the allowance was subject to income tax.