Question

Select the option that shows the correct relationship between Statements (I) and (II).

(I) The British and communal historians ignored the notion of a composite culture in India.

(II) They failed to recognise that the diversity in India was region-wise and caste-wise and not religion-wise.

Options

• (II) contradicts (I).

• (II) is the reason for (I).

• (I) is true, but (II) is false.

• (I) and (II) are independent of each other.

Answer 1

(II) is the reason for (I).

Explanation:

The British and communal historians ignored the idea of India’s composite culture because they viewed Indian society mainly on religious lines. They failed to understand that India’s diversity was largely based on region and caste rather than religion. This misunderstanding led them to divide Indian history into Hindu and Muslim periods, ignoring cultural unity.