History2013
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?
- The roads and river routes were completely immune
- As regards punishment for offences, ordeals by fire,
- The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier
stations. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Explanation
The correct answer is 2 and 3 only. Yuan Chwang's accounts provide insights into the societal and legal practices of ancient India. He noted that ordeals by fire, water, and poison were used as methods of trial, reflecting the belief in divine intervention for justice, which aligns with the cultural practices of that time. Additionally, his observations on the trade practices confirm that merchants faced duties at ferries and barrier stations, indicative of a structured economic system with state oversight. However, the assertion that roads and river routes were completely immune from robbery is incorrect, as even in flourishing empires, issues of safety and security in trade routes were prevalent.
