With reference to the silk weavers mentioned in the Mandasor inscription, consider the following statements: 1. They migrated because they were forced by the local administration. 2. They migrated from Lata to Dashapura. 3. All members of the guild strictly followed the occupation of weaving. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 2 only Explanation The question pertains to the Mandasor Inscription (dated 436-473 CE), associated with the reign of the Gupta emperor Kumaragupta I and his feudatory Bandhuvarman. This inscription, composed by the poet Vatsabhatti, provides critical evidence regarding the social and economic life of guilds (shrenis) during the Gupta period. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Incorrect: The inscription records the history of a guild of silk weavers who migrated from Lata (southern Gujarat) to Dashapura (modern Mandasor, Madhya Pradesh). - Statement 2 is Correct: The migration was voluntary. The text mentions that the weavers moved to Dashapura of their own accord, attracted by the virtues and good governance of the local king, Bandhuvarman. There is no evidence of forced migration by the administration. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: The inscription is unique because it details that after settling in Dashapura, the guild members did not strictly adhere to weaving. Some members took up archery, others studied astrology, and some engaged in religious discourses or storytelling. This demonstrates that guild members had the freedom to pursue diverse professions. Key Takeaway: The Mandasor inscription highlights the mobility of artisan guilds and reveals that occupational rigidity was not absolute in the Gupta period, as members of a single guild could pursue various intellectual and martial professions.

NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 3: Kinship, Caste and Class - Early Societies (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE)

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With reference to the silk weavers mentioned in the Mandasor inscription, consider the following statements:

They migrated because they were forced by the local administration.
They migrated from Lata to Dashapura.
All members of the guild strictly followed the occupation of weaving.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is

2 only

Explanation

The question pertains to the Mandasor Inscription (dated 436-473 CE), associated with the reign of the Gupta emperor Kumaragupta I and his feudatory Bandhuvarman. This inscription, composed by the poet Vatsabhatti, provides critical evidence regarding the social and economic life of guilds (shrenis) during the Gupta period.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The inscription records the history of a guild of silk weavers who migrated from Lata (southern Gujarat) to Dashapura (modern Mandasor, Madhya Pradesh).
Statement 2 is Correct: The migration was voluntary. The text mentions that the weavers moved to Dashapura of their own accord, attracted by the virtues and good governance of the local king, Bandhuvarman. There is no evidence of forced migration by the administration.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The inscription is unique because it details that after settling in Dashapura, the guild members did not strictly adhere to weaving. Some members took up archery, others studied astrology, and some engaged in religious discourses or storytelling. This demonstrates that guild members had the freedom to pursue diverse professions.

Key Takeaway:
The Mandasor inscription highlights the mobility of artisan guilds and reveals that occupational rigidity was not absolute in the Gupta period, as members of a single guild could pursue various intellectual and martial professions.

Your note

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The correct option is

2 only

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The inscription records the history of a guild of silk weavers who migrated from Lata (southern Gujarat) to Dashapura (modern Mandasor, Madhya Pradesh).
Statement 2 is Correct: The migration was voluntary. The text mentions that the weavers moved to Dashapura of their own accord, attracted by the virtues and good governance of the local king, Bandhuvarman. There is no evidence of forced migration by the administration.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The inscription is unique because it details that after settling in Dashapura, the guild members did not strictly adhere to weaving. Some members took up archery, others studied astrology, and some engaged in religious discourses or storytelling. This demonstrates that guild members had the freedom to pursue diverse professions.