Given below are two statements, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). **Assertion (A):** Patna emerged as one of the most vital commercial hubs for European trading companies in northern India during the 17th century. **Reason (R):** Bihar possessed a natural geographical monopoly on the production of high-quality saltpetre, an essential ingredient for manufacturing gunpowder in Europe. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

Options:

• A: Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
• B: Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
• C: A is true but R is false.
• D: A is false but R is true.

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