Prelims 2013 · archive
MediumThe 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?
- 1.The roads and river routes were completely immune from robbery.
- 2.As regards punishment for offenses, 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.
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Xuanzang (Hsuan-tsang, 7th century, Harsha's reign) described ordeals by fire, water and poison and the tolls on ferries and barrier stations. But he himself was robbed on the road, so he did not call the routes completely safe.
- ✗ 1. Xuanzang records that travel was not wholly safe; he himself was attacked by robbers.
- ✓ 2. He lists four ordeals (water, fire, weighing, poison) used to test guilt.
- ✓ 3. He mentions that merchants paid small duties at river ferries and barrier stations.
Remember · Xuanzang (7th century, Harsha): ordeals for guilt, tolls on traders, and roads that were not wholly safe.
📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part I, Ch 2 (practise this chapter)
Sources
- NCERT Class 12 · Themes in Indian History, Part I, Chapter 2 “c. 606-647 CE Harshavardhana king of Kanauj; Chinese pilgrim Xuan Zang comes in search of Buddhist texts”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2013, General Studies paper. UPSC did not publish an answer key for 2013: the answer shown is the one the sources above support. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 24 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·