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 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• The Arthashastra (Book III) regulates dasas (slaves) in detail and protects some of their rights.
• Statement 2 is correct: a female slave who bore her master a son was to be freed.
• Statement 3 is correct: such a son was to be treated as the master's son, with that legal status.
• Statement 1 is treated as not correct in the official key. The text does recognise several routes into servitude, and some lists include judicial punishment, so this item is debatable.
• Hence 2 and 3 only, option (b) — the official UPSC answer.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- The official key treats statement 1 as not correct, and statement 3 is correct.
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- The official key treats statement 1 as not correct, and statement 2 is correct.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- The official key excludes statement 1.
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.