Correct option is B
Assertion (A): Fa-Hien, a Chinese Buddhist monk who traveled to India during the 4th-5th century, mentioned in his writings that many people in India, especially those who followed Buddhism and Jainism, refrained from eating meat. The assertion that "no respectable person ate meat in India" refers to the cultural practices, particularly among followers of these religions, who emphasized non-violence and vegetarianism. Thus, the assertion is true.
Reason (R): The reign of Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor, was indeed a significant period in the promotion of vegetarianism. After his conversion to Buddhism, Ashoka renounced hunting, banned animal sacrifices, and promoted non-violence, which led to a greater acceptance of vegetarianism. Hence, the reason is also true.
However, the Reason (R) does not directly explain why Fa-Hien mentioned that no respectable person ate meat, as Fa-Hien's observation was centuries after Ashoka's reign. Therefore, (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
