Concept:Both statements about the Non-Cooperation Movement are historically correct, but the literary situation in Bengal does not account for why the United Provinces became a strong Congress base.
Explanation:The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22) spread across India after the Nagpur Congress session.
The United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) became a major centre of mass participation due to strong peasant involvement and Khilafat support.
Hence, Statement I is historically true: the region indeed emerged as one of the strongest bases of Congress.
According to historian Sumit Sarkar, the literary output in Bengal during Non-Cooperation was meager compared to the rich literary creativity seen during the Swadeshi movement (1905–11).
This makes Statement II also correct.
However, Statement II describes a cultural aspect specific to Bengal, while Statement I refers to a political-organisational strength in the United Provinces.
These two facts are independent; Bengal’s literary silence does not explain why UP became a stronghold.
Therefore, Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I.
Answer:Option B: Both statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I.