UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 62

This question tests ancient ports and foreign trade. The key concept is: Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were ancient or early-medieval ports associated with overseas and coastal trade. Their importance lay in maritime commerce rather than being capitals, stone-art centres or primarily Buddhist pilgrimage sites. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option A. Option A — Ports handling foreign trade: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were ancient or early-medieval ports associated with overseas and coastal trade. Their importance lay in maritime commerce rather than being capitals, stone-art centres or primarily Buddhist pilgrimage sites. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. Option B — Capitals of powerful kingdom: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were ancient or early-medieval ports associated with overseas and coastal trade. Their importance lay in maritime commerce rather than being capitals, stone-art centres or primarily Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option C — Places of exquisite stone art and architecture.: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were ancient or early-medieval ports associated with overseas and coastal trade. Their importance lay in maritime commerce rather than being capitals, stone-art centres or primarily Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option D — Important Buddhist pilgrimage centres.: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were ancient or early-medieval ports associated with overseas and coastal trade. Their importance lay in maritime commerce rather than being capitals, stone-art centres or primarily Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. For UPSC-style elimination, first identify the exact proposition being tested, then evaluate each statement independently before comparing the answer codes. Avoid treating a broad or absolute statement as correct merely because its general theme is familiar. The precise qualifiers in the question—such as 'all', 'only', 'cannot', 'largest', 'always' or a specific institutional role—often determine the answer. On that basis, option A is the verified answer.