UPSC Prelims 2000 · General Studies

Question 92: History and Culture

Assertion (A): Ashoka annexed Kalinga to the Mauryan Empire. Reason (R): Kalinga controlled the land and sea routes to South India.

aBoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

bBoth A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A

cA is true, but R is false

dA is false, but R is true

AnswerThe answer is (a).

Ashoka conquered Kalinga (modern Odisha) in about 261 BC, and the bloodshed of that war is what turned him towards dhamma. Kalinga commanded the land and sea routes to the south, which made it strategically valuable to Magadha. So A is true, R is true, and R explains why Ashoka wanted Kalinga.

A. Ashoka annexed Kalinga to the Mauryan Empire.
R. Kalinga controlled the land and sea routes to South India, and that explains A.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (d) goes. Then judge the second statement; if it is correct too, decide whether it explains the first.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right: both are true, and R gives the strategic reason for the annexation.
(b) R is the strategic reason for A, so it is the correct explanation.
(c) R is true, so it cannot be called false.
(d) A is true, so it cannot be called false.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2000, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.