UPSC Prelims 2013 · Question 56 of 99
UPSC Prelims 2013 question on Hiuen Tsang India Accounts
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2013
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectAncient History
- TopicConstruction of Ancient History
- DifficultyEasy
- TypeStatement
The Chinese traveler 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:
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Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Statement by statement
Statement 1 is incorrect because Xuanzang mentioned that roads and routes were not entirely safe from robbers.
Statement 2 is correct because trials by ordeal such as fire, water, and poison were used in certain cases to determine guilt or innocence.
Statement 3 is also correct because traders were required to pay duties at ferries and barrier points. Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct.
Extra UPSC info
Xuanzang visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana in the 7th century CE and provided valuable accounts of Indian society, religion, and administration.