South India (Chola, Chalukya, Pallava and Sangam Period) Part-I

1. Where was the capital of Chalukyas located ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1991]

(a) Vatapi
(b) Shravasti
(c) Kanchi
(d) Kannauj

Correct Answer: (a) Vatapi

Solution:At present, the ancient city of Vatapi in Bagalkot district (Karnataka) is known as Badami. It was the capital of Chalukyas during the 6-7th century. Pulakesin-I was the real founder of Vatapi's Chalukya dynasty.

2. The name of poet Kalidasa is mentioned in the : [I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]

(a) Allahabad Pillar Inscription
(b) Aihole Inscription
(c) Alapadu Grant
(d) Hanumankonda Inscription

Correct Answer: (b) Aihole Inscription

Solution:Aihole inscription is an authentic source to know Pulkeshin-II history. It is engraved in Sanskrit and southern Brahmi language and was written by Ravikirti. At the end of commendation, the author claimed that he had gained fame like Kalidasa and Bharavi by writing this. Thus, the name of poet Kalidasa is mentioned in the Aihole inscription.

3. The Sanskrit poet and dramatist Kalidasa finds a mention in - [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

(a) Aihole inscription of Pulakesin-II
(b) Gwalior inscription of Mihir Bhoja
(c) Karamdanda Sivalinga inscription of Kumargupta-I
(d) Methura Pillar inscription of Chandragupta-II

Correct Answer: (a) Aihole inscription of Pulakesin-II

Solution:Aihole inscription is an authentic source to know Pulkeshin-II history. It is engraved in Sanskrit and southern Brahmi language and was written by Ravikirti. At the end of commendation, the author claimed that he had gained fame like Kalidasa and Bharavi by writing this. Thus, the name of poet Kalidasa is mentioned in the Aihole inscription.

4. Which of the following King did send two naval expeditions to Ceylon in 642 AD ? [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]

(a) Rajaraj
(b) Narasimha Verman-I
(c) Kirti Verman_I
(d) Jayasinha-I

Correct Answer: (b) Narasimha Verman-I

Solution:Narasimha Verman 1 was a king of the Pallava dynasty who ruled south India from 630-668 AD. He was also known as Mahamalla (great wrestler) and during his reign famous Panch Ratha Temples were constructed.
He captured & destroyed capital of Chalukya (Vatapi) & assumed the tittle of Vatapikonda. In 642 AD, he sent two naval expeditions to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to help Sri Lankan prince.

5. The term 'Yavanapriya' mentioned in ancient Sanskrit text denoted : [I.A.S. (Pre) 1995]

(a) A fine variety of Indian muslin
(b) Ivory
(c) Damsels sent to the Greek court for dance performance
(d) Pepper

Correct Answer: (d) Pepper

Solution:Indian black pepper was a favourite ingredient of the most expensive Roman cookery. That is why in Sanskrit it is called as "Yavanapriya' (the favourite of Greeks).

6. Halbi is related to which language family ? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

(a) Aryan
(b) Dravidian
(c) Mundari
(d) None of these

Correct Answer: (a) Aryan

Solution:Helbi is an eastern Indo-Aryan language, of Bastar, Chhattisgarh transitional between Oriya and Marathi. Halbi is written in the Oriya and Devenagari Script.

7. Tolkappiyam text deals with : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997]

(a) Administration
(b) Law
(c) Grammar and Poetry
(d) All the above

Correct Answer: (c) Grammar and Poetry

Solution:Tolkappiyam is not only the residual text of 2 Sangam era but also the most ancient available text of Tamil literature. Author Tolkappiyar was one among the 12 disciples of saint Agastya. It is a treatise on grammar and poetry. It has been written in formula style.

8. The Sangam text Tolkappiyam is a work on [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Astronomy
(b) Grammar
(c) Music
(d) Medicine

Correct Answer: (b) Grammar

Solution:Tolkappiyam is the most ancient extant Tamil grammar text and the oldest extant long work of Tamil literature. Tolkappiyam a unique work on grammar and poetics, in its three parts of nine sections each deals with Ezhuttu (letter), Col (word) and Porul (subject matter).

9. In Sangam Literature 'Tolkappiyam' is a text of - [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014]

(a) Tamil poetry
(b) Tamil grammar
(c) Tamil architecture
(d) Tamil polity

Correct Answer: (b) Tamil grammar