Option b is the correct answer. In the Mauryan administration, the penalty of 'Pankodakasannirodhe' was charged for the act of slushing or dirtying the road. This penalty was imposed to discourage people from littering or making the roads dirty, ensuring that public spaces and thoroughfares remained clean and well-maintained. It reflects the emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene in Mauryan society, as well as the administration's efforts to maintain the infrastructure and aesthetics of roads for the benefit of the public. Important Tips Punishments in Mauryan Justice Administration: Punishments: Punishments outlined in the Arthashastra ranged from mild to severe. Theft, false evidence, and harming artisans were met with penalties like mutilation or death. Law enforcers were also accountable; breaking the law incurred punishment. Varied Penalties: Penalties were graded according to varna hierarchies. Shudras faced more severe punishments than Brahmins for similar offenses. Megasthenes' Account: WhileMegasthenessuggested theftwasrare, evidence pointsto commoncrimes. Punishmentsweredesigned to maintain order and integrity in the kingdom.