Consider the following statements: **Assertion (A):** The Mauryan kings did not bestow land-grants on religious basis. **Reason (R):** The peasants revolted against land grants. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2004
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.
Answer: (A) is true, but (R) is false.
Option c is the correct answer.
Assertion (A) is true: Mauryan land grants were more often given for administrative and economic purposes rather than solely on religious grounds. They were often granted to officials or individuals in recognition of their service to the state or for the development of economic activities. Reason (R) is false: There is no significant historical record or evidence suggesting that peasants revolted specifically against land grants. Peasant uprisings in ancient India were driven by various factors, including oppressive taxation, forced labor, and economic hardships, but not primarily against land grants.