SSC
'Kantakashodhana' courts, which existed in the Mauryan empire, dealt with:
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Answer: Option B — Criminal cases
Detailed Solution
In the Mauryan empire, according to the Arthashastra, "Kantakashodhana" courts dealt with criminal cases and offences against the state and society.
About Kantakashodhana courts:
- "Kantaka" means "thorn", and "shodhana" means "removal" or "cleansing"; the term means "removal of thorns", that is, removing anti-social elements and criminals from society.
- They were presided over by three officials called "Pradeshtris" (Pradeshtas) or by magistrates.
- They dealt with crimes such as theft, murder, assault, adulteration, fraud by merchants and artisans, cheating with weights and measures, and offences by government officials.
- They also protected the people from dishonest traders and craftsmen.
- They used spies and investigation to detect crimes.
- Punishments were often severe, including fines, mutilation and the death penalty.
Dharmasthiya courts:
- "Dharmasthiya" courts dealt with civil cases, such as disputes over marriage, inheritance, property, contracts, debts and wages.
- They were presided over by three "Dharmasthas" (judges learned in law) and three "Amatyas" (ministers).
Judicial system of the Mauryas:
- The king was the highest court of appeal.
- There were courts at the village, district and provincial levels.
The Arthashastra describes four sources of law: "dharma" (sacred law), "vyavahara" (evidence or transactions), "charitra" (custom) and "rajashasana" (royal edicts); of these, royal edicts were given the highest authority in case of conflict.
Ashoka and justice:
- In his edicts, Ashoka asked his officials (rajukas) to be impartial in justice and punishment ("vyavahara samata" and "danda samata").
- He gave prisoners sentenced to death a period of three days before execution, so that their relatives could appeal or they could prepare for the next world.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Civil disputes were handled by Dharmasthiya courts.
- ✗Religious matters and trade disputes with foreigners were not the main work of these courts.
Quick tip
Remember: Kantakashodhana = criminal courts ("removal of thorns", presided by Pradeshtris); Dharmasthiya = civil courts; four sources of law in the Arthashastra.
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Mahajanapadas & Mauryan Empire — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Mahajanapadas & Mauryan Empire, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the sixteen Mahajanapadas, the rise of Magadha under the Haryanka, Shishunaga and Nanda dynasties, Alexander's invasion, and the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara and Ashoka, including Mauryan administration, Ashoka's dhamma and his edicts. Questions often ask about the capital of a Mahajanapada, the founder of a dynasty, or details of Ashoka's rule, such as the Kalinga war and his rock and pillar edicts. Key sources include Kautilya's Arthashastra and Megasthenes' Indica. James Prinsep first deciphered Ashoka's Brahmi inscriptions in 1837. Practise the Mahajanapadas and Mauryan Empire questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.