RAS question
The Arthashastra mentions how many types of marriages?
Correct answer: (C) Eight.
The Arthashastra mentions eight types of marriage.
Explanation
The answer is eight. The Arthashastra belongs to the same broad legal-social tradition as the Dharmasutras: it lists Brahma, Daiva, Arsha, Prajapatya, Gandharva, Asura, Rakshasa and Paisacha as the eight forms of marriage. Chapter 2 of Book 3 legally recognises eight types of marriage. This matters because the question is asking for the number in the text, not for a general social custom. The first four forms are treated as approved, while the remaining forms are generally discouraged, so the count remains eight even though the forms are not valued equally.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Four is wrong because only the first four forms are approved; the Arthashastra still lists eight forms in all.
- (B) Ten is wrong because the Arthashastra does not support any ten-fold classification of marriage.
- (D) Six is wrong because it omits two of the eight named forms recognised in the Arthashastra.
Concept
This tests ancient Indian social and legal institutions through a standard textual reference. RAS repeats such questions because the Arthashastra links polity, law and society in one examinable source.