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? 1. Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and the king was the chief administrative 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:
UPSC CSE Pre. 2012
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: 2 and 3 only
Option c is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is incorrect. Guilds were not under the control of the State and the king was not the chief administrative authority on them. They framed their own rules of membership and professional code of conduct, which even kings were supposed to accept and respect.
Statement 2 is correct. The wages, rules of work, standards and prices were fixed by the guild itself. Statement 3 is correct. Guilds could try their members for offence in accordance with their own customs and usages, which came to acquire almost the status of law. A guild member had to abide by both guild and state laws. Guilds had their own laws, based on customs and usage, regarding organization, and had considerable power over guild members.