Explanations:The question involves evaluating the truthfulness of three statements related to Indian geography and history. Let's break down each statement:
1. "The mouth of the Indus River is at the Bay of Bengal." This statement is false. The Indus River originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows through the northern part of India and Pakistan before emptying into the Arabian Sea, not the Bay of Bengal. The Bay of Bengal is located on the eastern coast of India and is fed by rivers such as the Ganges and Brahmaputra.
2. "India, Pakistan, & Bangladesh India was partitioned, creating India and Pakistan due to religious conflict." This statement is true. The partition of India in 1947 was a significant historical event that led to the creation of two separate nations, India and Pakistan, primarily due to religious differences between Hindus and Muslims. The partition was a result of the Indian independence movement and the British colonial policy of "divide and rule."
3. "KALINGA WAS THE ANCIENT NAME OF BENGAL." This statement is false. Kalinga was an ancient kingdom located in the eastern part of India, corresponding to the modern-day states of Odisha and parts of West Bengal. However, it was not the ancient name of Bengal. The region of Bengal has had various names throughout history, including Vanga, Gauda, and Banga, but Kalinga was a distinct and separate kingdom.
Given these evaluations, the only true statement is the second one. Therefore, the correct answer is Option A, which states that only the second statement is true.
Understanding the geographical and historical context is crucial for answering such questions. The Indus River's course and the historical events leading to the partition of India are well-documented and form part of the general knowledge expected in competitive examinations. It is also important to be aware of the historical and geographical names associated with different regions of India to avoid common misconceptions.