Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Assertion (A): Till the end of twelfth century Nalanda Mahavihara lost its glory. Reason (R): State protection ceased to be available to Mahavihara.
Solution & Analysis
Answer: A
Concept
The survival of massive educational institutions in ancient India was directly linked to continuous royal patronage (land grants and revenue).Explanation
Nalanda was patronized by the Guptas, Harsha, and the Palas. When the Pala dynasty weakened and state priorities shifted, the university lost its primary financial base, making it vulnerable.Logical Breakup
Assertion (A): True. Nalanda was destroyed around 1197 CE by Bakhtiyar Khalji.
Reason (R): True. The decline of the Pala dynasty and the lack of strong central patronage in Bihar by the late 12th century significantly weakened the institution's ability to maintain its defenses and operations.