Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution
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Correct Answer: Option (A) — 1 and 2 only
Concept & Option Breakdown
Standard Reference VerifiedStatement 1 is correct: Somnath Temple, located at Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gujarat, is traditionally regarded as the first of the twelve sacred Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva.
Statement 2 is correct: Al-Biruni described the grand Somnath Temple in detail in his celebrated work Kitab al-Hind (Tarikh al-Hind), which provided historical accounts of the region.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the modern reconstructed temple in May 1951 was performed by the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad (not Dr. S. Radhakrishnan), following the reconstruction initiative led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Historical dates match the presidency of Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950–1962), whereas Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan served as President later (1962–1967).
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