Consider the following statements: **Assertion (A):** Kushinagar was the capital of Malla Republic. **Reason (R):** Lord Buddha's Mahaparinirvana took place in Kushinagar. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Pre) 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: Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Option b is the correct answer.
Assertion (A) is correct- The current Kushinagar is linked to Kusavati before Buddha's time and Kushinara after Buddha's time. It used to be the capital of one of the two Malla republics. These two Malla republics were part of the sixteen mahajanapadas (independent republics) in India during the 6th century BCE. Reason (R) is correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)- Mahatma Buddha's passing away, called Mahaparinirvana, happened in Kushinagar (now known as Kasia village, Deoria, Uttar Pradesh) when he was 80 years old in the year 483 BC.