Mostovshchina

(1) A feudal obligation that existed in Russia from the 11th century. The people of the city or village were obligated either to build and repair roads and bridges or to pay “bridge money.” The mostovshchina was borne mainly by the feudally dependent population.

(2) A tax on carts and merchandise transported over bridges. The right to collect the mostovshchina belonged to the state and to the feudal lords within their votchiny (patrimonial estates) or pomest’e (fiefdoms held through service). The sluzhilye liudi (state servitors), gontsy (heralds), and foreigners were exempt from the nostovshchina. It was abolished in 1754.