 The Inland Customs Line which incorporated the Great Hedge of India ( or Indian Salt Hedge ) was a customs barrier built by the British across India primarily to collect the salt tax . The customs line was begun while India was under the control of the East India Company but continued into the period of direct British rule . The line had its origins in the salt tax imposed on the Indian salt trade by the British in 1833 . The tax was intended to give the East India Company a monopoly over the salt trade . This tax was a major source of revenue for the British government . The tax was intended to be collected at