According to Kautilyas Arthashastra, which of the following are correct ? 1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment. 2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free. 3. If a son bom to a female slave was fathered b

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Q: 60 (IAS/2022)
According to Kautilyas Arthashastra, which of the following are correct ?
1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
3. If a son bom to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the masters son. Which of the statements given above are correct ?

question_subject: 

History

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,108,103,39,29,35,108

keywords: 

{'female slave': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'slave': [1, 0, 0, 2], 'female slave bore': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'masters son': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'judicial punishment': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'kautilyas arthashastra': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'legal status': [0, 0, 0, 1]}

The Kautilyas Arthashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy states various aspects of social, political and economic life during that era.

Option 1 says a person could become a slave as a result of a judicial punishment. The treatise doesn`t indicate that slaves are a consequence of judicial punishment.

Option 2 says if a female slave bore a child to her master, she was legally free. The Arthashastra states that female slaves could get freedom by bearing sons to their masters.

Option 3 says if a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was legally considered as the master`s son. The Arthashastra verifies this as well.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 2 - 2 and 3 only, meaning that statements 2 and 3 are correct according to Kautilyas Arthashastra.

 

Preparing for Future Exams: Learning from the Analysis of Past Questions

Topics:

  • Kautilya's Arthashastra
  • Ancient Indian Legal System
  • Slavery in Ancient India
  • Judicial Punishments in Ancient India

Sources:

  • NCERT textbooks on Indian history

NCERT and reference book chapters:

  • Class 11 NCERT textbook "Themes in World History" Chapter 6: Medieval History - 1
  • Chapter 3 "The King and His Duties" in "The Arthashastra" translated by R. Shamasastry
  • Chapter 6 "The System of Law" in "The Arthashastra: Selections from the Classic Indian Work on Statecraft" translated by Patrick Olivelle

Related concepts:

  • Caste System in Ancient India
  • Dharma and Justice in Ancient India
  • Women's Rights in Ancient India
  • Judicial System in Ancient India