Which of the following varnas was responsible for protecting people and administering justice in ancient India as per rules laid down by the Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras?

Kshatriya

The correct answer is Option 3 - Kshatriya

In ancient India, according to the rules laid down by the Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras, the varna responsible for protecting people and administering justice was the Kshatriya varna. Kshatriyas were traditionally regarded as warriors and rulers, tasked with the duty of safeguarding society and maintaining law and order.

In ancient Indian society, the four varnas were a hierarchical social classification system based on occupation and duties. These varnas were:

Brahmins: The Brahmins were the priestly class responsible for performing religious rituals, studying and teaching scriptures, and offering guidance on matters of spirituality and morality.
Kshatriyas: The Kshatriyas were the warrior and ruling class. They were tasked with protecting the society, administering justice, and leading in matters of governance and defense.
Vaishyas: The Vaishyas were the merchant and agricultural class. They engaged in trade, commerce, agriculture, and animal husbandry, contributing to the economic well-being of society.
Shudras: The Shudras were the laboring class, typically engaged in occupations related to service, manual labor, and support roles in society. They provided essential services and support to the other varnas.