Question

Given below are two statements one is labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as
Reason (R).
Assertion (A):
Ranajit Guha began the subaltern school of thought in Indian Historiography in 1980's.
Reason (R):
Subaltern approach takes the position that the entire tradition of Indian historiography has an elitist bias & the role of the common mass has been neglected or ignore
D.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct

Hint:

Understanding the context and core ideas behind subaltern studies is crucial to correctly interpreting both assertions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Concept
Subaltern studies focus on the history of marginalized groups, challenging traditional historiographical narratives that often overlook or marginalize these groups.

Step 2: Meaning
Assertion (A) states that Ranajit Guha initiated the subaltern school of thought in Indian historiography during the 1980s. Reason (R) explains the core idea behind the subaltern approach, which criticizes the elitist bias in traditional historical narratives and highlights the neglect or exclusion of common masses.

Step 3: Analysis
Assertion (A) is accurate as Ranajit Guha indeed began the subaltern school of thought in Indian historiography during the 1980s. His work, particularly "The Elementary Techniques of Subaltern History," published in 1983, marked a significant shift towards understanding history from the perspective of marginalized groups. Reason (R) correctly captures the essence of the subaltern approach by highlighting its critique of elitist historiography and emphasis on the role of common masses. This aligns with Guha's work, which sought to uncover histories that had been overlooked or ignored in traditional narratives. Given these points, Reason (R) is indeed a correct explanation for why Assertion (A) holds true. The subaltern approach, as initiated by Guha, challenges and redefines the historiographical tradition by focusing on the experiences of marginalized groups.

Step 4: Conclusion
Both statements are correct, and Reason (R) provides an accurate explanation for the assertion made in Statement (A). Final Answer: (A)