According to Kautilya's 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 born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master's son. Which of the statements given above are correct ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3 ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• The Arthashastra (Book III) regulates dasas (slaves) in unusual detail, treating slavery as a temporary and regulated condition, especially for Aryas.
• Statement 1 is correct: a person could become a slave by judicial punishment — for example, for failure to pay a fine.
• Statement 2 is correct: if a female slave bore her master a son, both she and the child were to be freed.
• Statement 3 is correct: such a son was to be regarded as the master's son with corresponding legal status.
• These provisions are often cited to show that Mauryan slavery differed from the Greek model noted by Megasthenes.
• Hence 1, 2 and 3, option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Statement 3 on the son's status is also correct.
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- Statement 1 on slavery as punishment is also correct.
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- Statement 2 on the mother's freedom is also correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2022, held on 5 June 2022. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.