Previous Year Question
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 from robbery.
As regards punishment for offences, ordeals by fire, water and poison were the instruments for determining the innocence or guilt of a person.
The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
Statement 1 is incorrect. Xuanzang's account does not support the claim that roads and river routes were completely free from robbery. His own journey involved dangerous conditions and incidents of robbery. The absolute expression “completely immune” therefore makes the statement incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct. Xuanzang's record describes the use of ordeals to determine guilt or innocence. Samuel Beal's translation records four types—water, fire, weighing and poison. Fire, water and poison mentioned in the statement were therefore genuine methods of ordeal.
An important nuance is that the question omits the ordeal by weighing, although Xuanzang mentions four methods. The statement, however, does not say that fire, water and poison were the only methods.
Statement 3 is correct. Xuanzang records that traders paid light duties at ferries and barrier stations, after which they travelled and exchanged their merchandise. His account therefore also provides information about commercial taxation.
Xuanzang reached India around 630 CE and travelled through the subcontinent for many years. His Great Tang Records on the Western Regions is an important source for the society, religion, economy and geography of the period.