UGC NET History Q39

Question

Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Barani writes, 'Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq talked as if he hated low-born people more than he hated idols, Nevertheless, I have seen him promoting Najba, the low-born son of a musician, to such an extent that he rose higher in status than many maliks, for Gujarat, Multan and Badaon were put in his charge . . . It was strange how he gave high offices and governments of extensive territories and great provinces to men of low and mean birth'.
Reason (R) : The Sultan believed in offices being open to talent. He dispensed with whatever considerations of birth had persisted in the administration and appointed low-born persons to the highest offices in the administration.
In the context of the above two statements which of the following is correct?