Consider the following statements:

1. Assertion (A): Marathas emerged as the strongest native power in India after the decline of Mughal empire.
2. Reason (R): Marathas were the first to have clear concept of a united Indian nation.

Options:

1. Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are individually true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
3. A is true but R is false
4. A is false but R is true

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Maratha Empire did emerge as the strongest native power in India after the decline of the Mughal Empire, making the Assertion correct. However, the Reason is false because the Marathas did not possess a modern concept of a united Indian nation; their expansion was primarily political and military rather than based on nationalism in the modern sense.

Answer: (c) A is true but R is false