With reference to the guilds (Shreni) in ancient India that played a very important role in the country's economy, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- 1.Every guild was registered with the central authority of the state and the king was the chief admen authority on them
- 2.The wages, rules of work, standards and prices were fixed by the guild
- 3.The guild had judicial powers over its own members.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.3 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
▶ Answer & Explanation
Correct answer: C. 2 and 3 only
Ancient Indian guilds, known as 'Shreni', were self-governing bodies that regulated various aspects of trade and crafts. They established their own internal rules for wages, work, and quality control, reflecting their significant autonomy. Furthermore, these guilds often possessed judicial powers to settle disputes among their members, functioning as miniature legal systems within their communities. While state involvement existed to some extent, it was generally not as pervasive as suggested by the first statement, with guilds often operating with considerable independence.
Source: UPSC gs1 2012