UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies

Question 28: History and Culture

Assertion (A): Harshavardhana convened the Prayag Assembly. Reason (R): He wanted to popularise only the Mahayana form of Buddhism.

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

bBoth A and R are individually 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 (c).

Harsha did convene the Prayag Assembly, held every five years at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna, where he gave away his wealth in charity and honoured people of different faiths, so A is true. R is false: Harsha was tolerant and patronised Hindu and Buddhist sects alike. The Kanauj assembly, not Prayag, is the one linked with promoting Hiuen Tsang's Mahayana doctrine.

A. Harsha convened the Prayag Assembly, a quinquennial gathering of charity.
R. Harsha was tolerant of many faiths, not just Mahayana Buddhism.

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) R is false, so it cannot explain A.
(b) R is not true, so this does not apply.
(c) Right: A is true, R is false.
(d) A is true, not false.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious question Next question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.