Ancient Indian History

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In ancient and medieval legal systems, including the traditional Indian system described in texts like the Dharmasastras, an ordeal was a physical test that a person had to undergo. The outcome of the test was believed to be determined by a divine authority, thus revealing the person's guilt or innocence.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Ancient Indian texts, such as the Naradasmriti and Yajnavalkya Smriti, describe several types of ordeals (divya). The five major ordeals were:

Balance (Tula): The accused was weighed, then after prayers and rituals, weighed again. If they were lighter the second time, they were innocent.
Fire (Agni): The accused had to carry a red-hot iron ball in their hands, which were protected only by some leaves. If their hands were unburned after a certain time, they were innocent.
Water (Jala): The accused had to remain submerged in water. If they survived without coming up for a specific duration, they were deemed innocent.
Poison (Visha): The accused had to ingest poison. If they survived without showing ill effects, they were innocent.
Kosa: The accused had to drink water that had been used to wash an idol. If they suffered some misfortune or illness within a specified period (e.g., 14 days), they were considered guilty.
The options in (D) are types of punishments, not ordeals for determining guilt.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The five major ordeals in the traditional Indian system were Balance, Fire, Water, Poison, and Kosa.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks to identify the body of ancient Indian literature that specifically deals with law, duty, crime, and punishment, forming the basis of the traditional justice system.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the options:
1. Garud Puran: The Puranas are post-Vedic texts that contain narratives about the history of the universe, genealogies of gods, and Hindu philosophy. While they discuss karma and consequences, they are not legal codes.
2. Dharmasastra: This is a genre of Sanskrit texts that refers to the treatises (sastras) on dharma. Dharma here encompasses concepts of law, justice, rights, duties, and ethics. Texts like the Manusmriti and Yajnavalkya Smriti are key examples of Dharmasastras, which extensively detail civil and criminal law, procedures for trials, and types of punishments. This makes them the primary source for traditional Indian jurisprudence.
3. Atharva Veda and 4. Yajur Veda: The Vedas are the most ancient Hindu scriptures, primarily containing hymns, mantras, and philosophical treatises. While they contain principles of righteous living (dharma), they are not systematic legal texts that detail crime, control, and punishment in the way Dharmasastras do.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The Dharmasastras are the specific ancient texts that systematically laid down the principles and laws concerning crime, justice, and punishment in the traditional Indian system of governance.