Explanation:

Under the Mauryan state, justice was administered through courts, which were established in all the major towns. • Two types of courts are mentioned in the texts. o The 'dharmasthiya' courts mostly dealt with civil law relating to marriage, inheritance and other aspects of civil life. The courts were presided over by three judges well-versed in sacred laws and three amatyas (secretaries). o Kantakasodhana courts shall deal with measures to suppress disturbance to peace (kantakasodhanam kuryuh). According to the artha-shastra, these courts took cognizance of violations of the law by officials in the discharge of their official duties. Thus if traders used false weights or sold adulterated goods, or charged excessive prices, the Kantakasodhana courts intervened to punish the culprits. o Hence, option (b) is the correct answer. • The main purpose of these courts was to clear the society of anti-social elements and various types of crimes, and it functioned more like the modern police and relied on a network of spies for information about such antisocial activities. Punishments for crimes were usually quite severe. The overall objective of the judicial system, as it evolved, was to extend government control over most aspects of ordinary life.