With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?
Show answer
Answer: A. In the Gupta period, vishti (forced labour) was treated as a form of tax: people owed unpaid labour to the state in place of, or in addition to, payment. So it counted as a source of state income.
Watch for: The other options are invented details; students who do not know the term may guess one that sounds specific.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Wrong because inscriptions show vishti existed across the empire, including these regions.
- C. Wrong because vishti was unpaid labour, not wage labour.
- D. Wrong because there was no rule that the eldest son had to serve.
Source to check: R. S. Sharma, India's Ancient Past (and old NCERT 'Ancient India'), chapter on the Gupta age and social changes
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.