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
Correct answer
C
1 and 3 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Statements 2 and 3 reflect the Arthashastra's rules protecting a slave's children: a female slave who bore her master a son became legally free, and the son was entitled to the legal status of the master's son. UPSC's official key does not accept statement 1, so the answer is 2 and 3 only. Some textbooks do list judicial punishment as one way a person could become a slave, which is why this question is disputed.
Ancient Indian HistoryMauryan Administration & SocietyKautilyaArthashastraSlaveryJudicial punishmentFemale slaveLegal statusMauryan society