Out of two statements below first is Assertion (A) and second is Reason (R), carefully read both statements **Assertion (A):** Till the end of twelfth century Nalanda Mahavihara lost its glory. **Reason (R):** State protection ceased to be available to Mahavihara. With respect to the above-mentioned two statements, which of the following is true?
41st B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1996
A. (A) and (R) both are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. (A) and (R) both are true, and (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) and (R) both are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Option a is the correct answer.
Assertion (A) is correct- The university was sacked and destroyed by the invading army of Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1197 CE. The destruction of Nalanda Mahavihara marked the end of its golden age. Reason (R) is correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)- This is also true because the Pala dynasty, which had patronized Nalanda Mahavihara for centuries, came to an end in the 12th century. Without the support of the state, Nalanda Mahavihara was unable to maintain its status as a major center of learning.