The correct answer is: a) Arthashastra.
Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, military strategy and international relations, written in Sanskrit. The author is traditionally ascribed to Kautilya, also identified as Vishnugupta and Chanakya, who was a scholar at Takshashila University and a teacher of Chandragupta Maurya.
The Arthashastra is a comprehensive treatise on statecraft, covering topics such as the ideal king, the duties of ministers, the organization of the army, the administration of justice, the collection of taxes, and the regulation of trade and commerce. It is one of the most important texts on Indian political thought, and has been studied by scholars for centuries.
The Arthashastra provides valuable insights into social, economic, and political life in Punjab during the pre-Mauryan period. It describes the various social classes, the economic system, and the political structure of the region. It also provides information on the military, the administration of justice, and the collection of taxes.
The other options are incorrect because they do not provide valuable insights into social, economic, and political life in Punjab during the pre-Mauryan period.
- Indica is a book by the Greek historian Megasthenes, who was a diplomat at the court of Chandragupta Maurya. The book provides a description of India in the 4th century BCE, but it does not focus on Punjab.
- Mahavamsa is a Buddhist text that chronicles the history of Sri Lanka. It does not provide any information on Punjab.
- Divyavadana is a Buddhist text that contains stories about the Buddha’s disciples. It does not provide any information on Punjab.