Correct answer: (c) Only 2
Explanation
- A
Only 1
(a) Only 1. This paper does not accept statement 1 as a correctly established limb, so ‘only 1’ is not the key.
- B
Both 1 and 2
(b) Both 1 and 2. Both would require the age-fixation claim to stand. The official reading keeps only statement 2.
- C
Only 2
(c) Only 2. The keyed true statement is that Akbar allowed girls to marry of their own will, not solely under parental pressure. Statement 1 on fixing marriage ages is not taken as correct here. Official key.
- D
Neither 1 nor 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2. Statement 2 is accepted; emptying both is wrong.
Summary. Official key is (c) Only 2. On this Set A key, Akbar’s social measure that stands is freedom of girls to marry by choice rather than only by parental force. The claim that he tried to fix marriage ages for boys and girls is not the accepted statement. ‘Both’ and ‘only 1’ therefore fail; ‘neither’ drops the true limb.