Question

Two statements are given below. They are Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read both the statements and choose the correct option:
Assertion (A): The Indian subcontinent was a crucial point in Indian Ocean trade flows during sixteenth century.
Reason (R): Its geographical location connected East-West Asia and Europe.

• 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.

Hint:

In Assertion-Reason questions, first check whether both statements are individually true. Then check whether the Reason directly explains the Assertion.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Test the Assertion on its own.
India did sit at the centre of sixteenth century Indian Ocean trade, with ports handling goods moving between Asia, Africa, and Europe, so the Assertion holds.
Step 2: Test the Reason on its own.
India's location, bridging the eastern and western halves of the ocean trade network, is also a true fact.
Step 3: Check the link between them.
That very location is what allowed India to become a trading hub in the first place, so the Reason is not just true, it directly explains the Assertion.
Step 4: Conclude.
Both statements are true and connected. The correct answer is option (A).