UPSC Prelims 2022 · GS Paper 1 · Q50

History

Hard · Kautilya's Arthashastra on Slavery and Social Status

Consider the following statements regarding slavery as described in Kautilya's Arthashastra:

1. Judicial punishment for a crime was a common and legitimate route by which a person could be reduced to slavery.

2. A female slave who bore a son to her master became legally free, and that son inherited the legal status of the master's son.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?