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 ?

QUESTION

Hard

Ancient History

Prelims 2022

According to Kautilya's Arthashastra, which of the following are correct?

A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
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 ?

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Arthashastra provides that if a female slave bore a son to her master, she was entitled to freedom.

Statement 2 is correct: A son born to a female slave and fathered by her master was recognized with the legal status of the master's son.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Arthashastra does discuss forms of bondage and servitude connected with punishment, debt, or distress; therefore, it cannot be said that such arrangements were explicitly prohibited.

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