Correct Option
The correct option isA guard of armed women
Explanation
Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus Nicator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya, provided a detailed account of the Mauryan administration, society, and the personal life of the Emperor in his work, Indika. His observations highlight the grandeur and the stringent security measures surrounding the Mauryan King.
Detailed Analysis
- A guard of armed women is Correct: Megasthenes explicitly recorded that the Mauryan Emperor was guarded by a retinue of armed women. These female guards surrounded the King’s person, both within the palace and when he ventured out for hunting or processions. This practice was noted as a distinctive feature of the Mauryan royal security apparatus.
- A unit of Greek mercenaries is Incorrect: While there was diplomatic contact with Greeks and potentially foreign presence in the empire, the specific personal security detail highlighted by Megasthenes was the use of female guards, not a dedicated unit of Greek mercenaries.
- Only appearing in public at night is Incorrect: Megasthenes did not state that the King only appeared in public at night. On the contrary, he mentioned that the King remained in the court for the whole day to hear cases and administer justice, often while being massaged.
- A system of multiple body doubles is Incorrect: While the King took extreme precautions against assassination-such as not sleeping in the same room for two consecutive nights-the specific account regarding his personal escort refers to the armed women, rather than a formalized system of body doubles.
Key Takeaway: According to Megasthenes, the personal security of the Mauryan Emperor (Chandragupta Maurya) was managed by a guard of armed women, reflecting the high security and unique court customs of the time.