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Which of the following statements is incorrect with reference to Indian legal and judicial system during the period of Buddha?
  • a)
    The Dharmashastras provided for the civil and criminal law that was administered by the priests.
  • b)
    In some cases, the punishments for criminal offences were governed by the idea of an eye for an eye.
  • c)
    Crimes committed against the shudras were lightly treated in comparison to other varnas.
  • d)
    Some of the tribals were allowed to be governed by their own customs.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Which of the following statements is incorrect with reference to Indi...
Option a is the correct answer.
  • The Indian legal and judicial system originated during the period of Buddha. Formerly people were governed by the tribal law, which did not recognize any class distinction. However, by now the tribal community had been clearly divided into four orders: brahmanas, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and shudras.
  • Option a is incorrect: The civil and criminal law were set out in the Dharmashastras. They were administered by royal agents (not by priests) who inflicted rough and ready punishments such as scourging, beheading, and tearing out of the tongue.
  • Option b is correct: In many instances, punishments for criminal offences were governed by the idea of revenge, that is, a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye.
  • Option c is correct: The Dharmasutras set out the duties of each of the four varnas, and the civil and criminal law came to be based on the varna division. The higher the varna, the purer it was, and the higher the level of moral conduct expected of the upper varna by civil and criminal law. Crimes committed by them against the brahmanas and others were severely punished, but those committed against the shudras were lightly treated.
  • Option d is correct: Although the brahmanical law-books took into account the social status of the different varnas in framing their laws, they did not ignore the customs of the non-Vedic tribal groups. Some of these indigenous tribals were given fictitious social origins and allowed to be governed by their own customs.
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Which of the following statements is incorrect with reference to Indi...
The correct answer is option 'A': The Dharmashastras provided for the civil and criminal law that was administered by the priests.

Explanation:
During the period of Buddha, the Indian legal and judicial system had certain characteristics and principles. Let's examine each statement to determine which one is incorrect:

a) The Dharmashastras provided for the civil and criminal law that was administered by the priests.
This statement is incorrect. The Dharmashastras were not administered by the priests. They were ancient legal codes that provided guidelines for social and moral conduct, including civil and criminal law. However, the administration of justice was not solely in the hands of the priests. There were different bodies responsible for the administration of justice, such as the king and his officials.

b) In some cases, the punishments for criminal offences were governed by the idea of an eye for an eye.
This statement is correct. The legal system during the period of Buddha followed the principle of retaliation, known as the law of talion or "an eye for an eye." This means that the punishment for a crime was often equivalent to the harm caused by the offender. For example, if someone caused an injury to another person, they might receive a punishment that caused a similar injury to them.

c) Crimes committed against the shudras were lightly treated in comparison to other varnas.
This statement is correct. The Indian society during the time of Buddha was divided into different varnas or social classes. The shudras were considered the lowest varna and were often subjected to discrimination and mistreatment. Crimes committed against them were usually treated lightly, and their access to justice was limited.

d) Some of the tribals were allowed to be governed by their own customs.
This statement is correct. Indian society during the period of Buddha was not homogenous, and there were various tribal communities with their own customs and practices. Some of these tribes were allowed to govern themselves according to their own customs and traditions, as long as they did not conflict with the broader legal framework of the state.

In conclusion, the incorrect statement is option 'A': The Dharmashastras provided for the civil and criminal law that was administered by the priests. The Dharmashastras provided guidelines for civil and criminal law but were not administered solely by the priests.
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Which of the following statements is incorrect with reference to Indian legal and judicial system during the period of Buddha?a)The Dharmashastras provided for the civil and criminal law that was administered by the priests.b)In some cases, the punishments for criminal offences were governed by the idea of an eye for an eye.c)Crimes committed against the shudras were lightly treated in comparison to other varnas.d)Some of the tribals were allowed to be governed by their own customs.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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Which of the following statements is incorrect with reference to Indian legal and judicial system during the period of Buddha?a)The Dharmashastras provided for the civil and criminal law that was administered by the priests.b)In some cases, the punishments for criminal offences were governed by the idea of an eye for an eye.c)Crimes committed against the shudras were lightly treated in comparison to other varnas.d)Some of the tribals were allowed to be governed by their own customs.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following statements is incorrect with reference to Indian legal and judicial system during the period of Buddha?a)The Dharmashastras provided for the civil and criminal law that was administered by the priests.b)In some cases, the punishments for criminal offences were governed by the idea of an eye for an eye.c)Crimes committed against the shudras were lightly treated in comparison to other varnas.d)Some of the tribals were allowed to be governed by their own customs.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following statements is incorrect with reference to Indian legal and judicial system during the period of Buddha?a)The Dharmashastras provided for the civil and criminal law that was administered by the priests.b)In some cases, the punishments for criminal offences were governed by the idea of an eye for an eye.c)Crimes committed against the shudras were lightly treated in comparison to other varnas.d)Some of the tribals were allowed to be governed by their own customs.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
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