UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 38
With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country's economy, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and the king was the chief administrative authority on them.
- The wages, rules of work, standards and prices were fixed by the guild.
- The guild had judicial powers over its own members.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct Option: C
Explanation: Ancient Indian guilds regulated occupations and their members, including work conditions and internal disputes, without universal state registration.
Statement/Item-wise Analysis:
1: Incorrect - There was no universal central registration scheme making the king chief administrator of every guild.
2: Correct - Guilds often prescribed wages, workmanship rules, pricing and professional standards.
3: Correct - Guilds exercised internal disciplinary or adjudicatory authority over members.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes incorrect item 1; omits correct item 3.
B: Incorrect - omits correct item 2.
C: Correct - includes exactly the valid statements/items and excludes the invalid ones.
D: Incorrect - includes incorrect item 1.