History • Ancient IndiaHard
Consider the following assertions regarding the socio-religious developments in ancient Tamilakam during the early centuries of the common era: Assertion (A): Jainism and Buddhism gained substantial royal patronage and merchant support in major urban centers of ancient Tamilakam, influencing ethical literature such as the Manimegalai and Cilappatikaram. Reason (R): The moral philosophies espoused in early Tamil epics integrated ascetic ideals and the law of karma, reflecting a syncretism between indigenous Tamil cultural values and heterodox religious traditions arriving from northern India. Select the correct option:
A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)✓ Correct Answer
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
💡 Solution & Explanation
Both assertion and reason are correct and logically linked. Heterodox traditions like Buddhism and Jainism spread significantly into ancient Tamilakam through mercantile routes, leaving indelible marks on Tamil literature where epics like Manimegalai explicitly propagate Buddhist tenets. Indigenous ethical treatises like the Kural also show strong alignment with universal ascetic and moral principles. Religious tolerance and philosophical exchange characterized urban hubs in ancient South India.
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