Question

Statement 1: The kings of the Sangam Age used a pot with a cobra to figure out whether the accused was guilty or not.

Statement 2: If the cobra bit the accused, he was pronounced not guilty.

• A. Statement 1 is true and statement 2 is false.
• B. Statement 1 is false and statement 2 is true.
• C. Both statements 1 and 2 are true, and 2 is the correct explanation for 1.
• D. Both statements 1 and 2 are true, but 2 is not the correct explanation for 1.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Statement 1 is true and statement 2 is false.

In civil cases, the way to deliver justice was for the criminals to thrust their hand into a pot containing a cobra. If the cobra bit the accused, he was guilty and if not, he was free to walk. If the person turned out to be guilty, in addition to being bitten by a cobra, he would also be sentenced to a very severe punishment. The punishment for crimes ranged from the imposition of fines to beheading, torture, and mutilation.