UPSC CSE Prelims
Mauryan Administration Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Mauryan Administration with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
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Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the 'Pradesika', 'Rajuka' and 'Yukta' were important officers at the
Detailed Explanation:
These three officers worked together at the district (Pradesa) level during Ashoka's reign:
| Officer | Role |
|---|---|
| Pradesika | Head of district administration (like a district head) |
| Rajuka | Handled revenue collection and judicial matters |
| Yukta | Junior/subordinate official — helped with record-keeping and administration |
Mauryan Administration Officers
| Officer | Level | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Pradesika | District | Head of district administration |
| Rajuka | District | Revenue collection + judicial duties |
| Yukta | District | Subordinate; record-keeping, assistance |
| Amatya | Central/Provincial | High-ranking minister/officer |
| Mahamatta | Central | Special officers (e.g., Dhamma Mahamatta for moral welfare) |
| Pratiharas | Central | Palace guards/gatekeepers |
Mauryan Administrative Hierarchy (Top to Bottom):
- King (Centre)
- Provinces — headed by princes/governors (e.g., Taxila, Ujjain, Tosali, Suvarnagiri)
- District (Pradesa/Ahara) — Pradesika, Rajuka, Yukta
- Village — Gramani (village headman)
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 ?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 and 3 only
According to Kautilya's Arthashastra, statements 2 and 3 are correct regarding the laws pertaining to slavery. The Arthashastra provided progressive provisions for slaves, particularly female slaves who bore children to their masters.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: A person could not become a slave as a result of judicial punishment according to the Arthashastra. Kautilya explicitly prohibited enslavement as a form of punishment.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally entitled to freedom as per the provisions in the Arthashastra.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: A son born to a female slave and fathered by her master was granted the legal status of the master's son, with all associated rights and privileges.
📝 Short Notes: Slavery in Kautilya's Arthashastra
- Progressive Nature: The Arthashastra contained relatively progressive laws on slavery compared to contemporary systems, with clear protections for slaves.
- Sources of Slavery: Persons could become slaves through birth (if born to a slave), voluntary self-sale during distress, capture in war, or as a result of debt bondage—but NOT through judicial punishment.
- Prohibition of Judicial Slavery: Kautilya explicitly prohibited making slavery a form of punishment for crimes, distinguishing it from other ancient legal systems.
- Rights of Female Slaves: Female slaves who bore children to their masters gained freedom, and their children enjoyed the legal status of legitimate heirs.
- Temporary Nature: Many forms of slavery (especially debt slavery) were temporary, with provisions for manumission and redemption.
- Arya Slavery: Kautilya distinguished between Arya (indigenous) slaves, who had more protections, and Dasa slaves (foreigners/war captives).
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