The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India recorded the general conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The roads and river-routes were completely immune from robbery. 2. As regards punishment for offences, ordeals by fire, water and poison were the instruments for determining the innocence or guilt of a person. 3. The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Reviewed by Dalvoy
UPSC Civil Services preparation
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 onlyCorrect
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect. Yuan Chwang himself recorded instances of being robbed during his travels in India, indicating that roads and river-routes were not "completely immune" from robbery.
Statement 2 is correct. Yuan Chwang's accounts detail the use of ordeals by fire, water, poison, and weighing as methods to determine guilt or innocence in judicial proceedings.
Statement 3 is correct. Yuan Chwang observed and recorded that tradesmen and merchants were required to pay duties and taxes at ferries and barrier stations, which was a common source of revenue for the state.
Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct, making option B the right answer.
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