The correct option is (a) 1 only.
Explanation
Kautilya’s Arthashastra serves as a comprehensive treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy. It includes detailed regulations regarding the state's role in economic production, specifically outlining the duties of the Superintendent of Weaving (Sutradhyaksha) in managing textile production and labour.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Arthashastra explicitly lists specific categories of women who could be employed by the superintendent for spinning wool, bark, cotton, hemp, and flax. These categories included widows, crippled women, nuns (ascetic women), mothers of courtesans, old female slaves of the king, and women who had retired from service in temples. This indicates a state-sponsored mechanism to provide employment to vulnerable or retired women.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The text mandates that wages were to be fixed according to the quality and quantity of the thread produced. It was not a fixed wage regardless of output; rather, it was performance-based. Incentives were provided for high-quality work, while fines could be imposed for delays or poor craftsmanship.
Key Takeaway: The labour system described in the Arthashastra was meritocratic, with wages linked to productivity (quality and quantity), and inclusive, providing specific employment opportunities for marginalized groups of women in state industries.