Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). **Assertion (A):** Balban made his government firm stable and centralized all authority in his hands. **Reason (R):** He wanted to protect North-West frontier against Mongol invasions. Code:
Solution & Analysis
Answer: B
Concept
Balban's reign was characterized by the 'Blood and Iron' policy, aimed at both internal stability (suppressing the nobility) and external defense (Mongols).Explanation
Balban dismantled the *Chahalgani
(The Forty) to centralize power. Simultaneously, he fortified the western borders and stayed in Delhi/nearby areas to respond quickly to Mongol raids.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Assertion (A) is true. Centralization was Balban's primary internal goal to restore the prestige of the crown.
Logic 2: Reason (R) is true. The Mongol threat was a constant external pressure that dictated much of his military posturing.
Logic 3: (R) does not explain (A). Centralization was not *caused* by the Mongols; it was a response to the weakness of his predecessors and the arrogance of the Turkish nobles.