Correct Option (C)
1. Lothal: This Harappan site, located in Gujarat, is renowned for its excavated ancient dockyard, which served as a significant port of the Indus Valley Civilization.
2. Sarnath: Situated near Varanasi, Sarnath is the sacred place where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon, known as the Dharmachakra Pravartana (Turning the Wheel of Dharma).
4. Nalanda: Located in present-day Bihar, Nalanda was an ancient Mahavihara (Buddhist monastery and university) and a prominent center of Buddhist learning, attracting scholars and students from across Asia.
Incorrect Options:
3. Rajgir: The Lion Capital of Ashoka is not located in Rajgir. It was originally erected at Sarnath, where it adorned the Ashoka Pillar. The Lion Capital of Ashoka is India's national emblem.
Options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect as they do not identify the complete set of correctly matched pairs (1, 2, and 4).