In the given question, a statement of Assertion is followed by a statement of Reason. Mark the correct answer.

Assertion: Panchayats in Medieval India had the authority to levy fines and inflict more serious forms of punishment like expulsion from the community.
Reasoning: Such a measure like expulsion was intended as a deterrent to violation of caste norms.

Both the Assertion and the Reason are correct and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Panchayats also had the authority to levy fines and inflict more serious forms of punishment like expulsion from the community. The latter was a drastic step and was in most cases meted out for a limited period. It meant that a person forced to leave the village became an outcaste and lost his right to practise his profession. Such a measure was intended as a deterrent to violation of caste norms