[Solved] According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are correct? A Person could be a Slave as a result of 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 the legal status of the master’s son.

Q60) According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are correct?

1. A Person could be a Slave as a result of 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 the legal status of the master’s son.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 Only
2. 2 and 3 Only
3. 1 and 3 Only
4. 1,2 and 3

Answer: 4

• The Arthashastra states that a man could be a slave either by birth, by voluntarily selling himself, by being captured in war, or as a result of a judicial punishment.
• Slavery was a recognized institution and the legal relationship between master and slave was clearly defined e.g. 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.