AI-generated practice question — model-generated for extra practice, not a previous-year CBSE board question.
Option A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
The textbook states: "This shift from the old ports to the new ones was an indicator of the growth of colonial power. Trade through the new ports came to be controlled by European companies, and was carried in European ships," directly making R the explanation for A.
The source passage explicitly links both statements — the shift to Bombay and Calcutta as a sign of colonial power (A) is explained because European companies controlled trade and used European ships, edging out Indian merchants (R). When a reason directly explains the assertion using textbook language, Option A is correct. Always check if the reason is logically connected to the assertion, not just both being true independently.