2022 · Ancient HistoryPrevious Year Question
Q60.
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
Answer

D

Explanation

According to Kautilya's Arthashastra, a man could become a slave by birth, voluntarily selling himself, by being captured in war, or as a result of a judicial punishment — Statement 1 is correct. If a female slave bore her master a son, not only was she legally free but the child was entitled to legal status of the master's son — Statements 2 and 3 are both correct. All three statements are correct.