The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The the political geography of the Deccan region during the early medieval period, specifically focusing on the Chalukyas of Badami (Vatapi) and the strategic importance of the Raichur Doab.Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct. The Chalukya kingdom was strategically centred around the Raichur Doab. This fertile region provided the economic and agricultural base for the kingdom. Due to its prosperity and strategic value, it became a "bone of contention" between the Chalukyas and their southern contemporaries, the Pallavas of Kanchipuram.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The term "Doab" refers to the land between two converging rivers. The Raichur Doab is the triangular region located between the Krishna River (to the north) and the Tungabhadra River (to the south). This geographical definition is factually accurate.
Key Takeaway: The Raichur Doab (land between Krishna and Tungabhadra) was the geopolitical heart of the Deccan powers, serving as a perpetual battleground between the Chalukyas and Pallavas, and later between the Vijayanagara and Bahmani kingdoms.