Q8 · UPPSC Prelims 2020 · Set A · General Studies

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Given below are two statements, one is labelled asAssertion (A) :and the other as Reason (R):Assertion (A):We have much more information about Cholas than their predecessors.Reason (R):The Chola rulers adopted the practice of having inscriptions written on the walls of temples giving a historical narrative of their victories.Select the correct answer from the codes given below.

A Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
B Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
C (A) is true but (R) is false
D (A) is false but (R) is true

Correct answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

Explanation

  1. A

    Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

    (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). We do know the Cholas in unusual detail because they had long historical prasastis cut on temple walls (Tanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram, many others). That epigraphic habit is exactly why the assertion holds, so (R) explains (A). Official key.

  2. B

    Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

    (b) Both true but (R) does not explain (A). Both limbs are true, yet the wall-inscription practice is the reason we have that surplus of Chola narrative, so (R) does explain (A).

  3. C

    (A) is true but (R) is false

    (c) (A) true, (R) false. (R) is not false: Chola kings did record victories and gifts on temple walls in Tamil and Sanskrit.

  4. D

    (A) is false but (R) is true

    (d) (A) false, (R) true. The assertion is true; Pallava–Pandya predecessors left far shorter political narratives than the Chola corpus.

Summary. Official key is (a). Assertion and Reason are both true, and the temple-wall historical inscriptions are why Chola history is fuller than that of earlier Tamil houses. Uttaramerur, Tanjavur Rajarajesvara and copper plates sit in that same habit. (b) wrongly severs the causal link; (c) and (d) falsify a true limb.