What was a corvee?

Answer 1

Corvée was a form of unpaid labor imposed by authorities, typically on peasants or agricultural workers, to fulfill state or local obligations, such as maintaining roads or performing military service. This practice was common in feudal societies and often required individuals to work for a certain number of days each year without compensation. While it was a way for governments to secure labor for public projects, it often led to resentment among those subjected to it. The system of corvée has largely been abolished in modern times.