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

Total Questions: 50

21. Which one of the following was not a ruling dynasty of the Tamil country during the Sangam Age ? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010]

(a) Chera
(b) Chola
(c) Pallava
(d) Pandya

Correct Answer: (c) Pallava

Solution:In South India, three dynasties ruled during the Sangam Age are Chera, Chola and the Pandya. Pallavas were not the rulers of this age.

The Pallavas were a dynasty of rulers in South India that existed from 275 CE to 897 CE. They were known for their patronage of art and architecture, and for establishing the foundations of medieval South Indian architecture. The Pallavas were patrons of Brahmanism. The Pallavas used Prakrit and Sanskrit in their inscriptions. The Pallavas were instrumental in the transition from rock-cut architecture to stone temples

22. Religious anthology 'Kural' composed in which language ? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997]

(a) Greek
(b) Tamil
(c) Telugu
(d) Pali

Correct Answer: (b) Tamil

Solution:Kural is considered as the Bible and Laghuveda of Tamil literature. It is also known as 'Muppal'. It was written by the famous poet Tiruvalluvar. According to hearsay, Thiruvalluvar was the advent of Brahma.

23. Which one of the following Tamil Texts has been called Laghuveda ? [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013]

(a) Nandhikalambakam
(b) kalingattuparani
(c) Periyapuranam
(d) Kural

Correct Answer: (d) Kural

Solution:Tamil text 'Kural' is considered as Laghuveda and was authored by Thiruvalluvar.

The Tirukkural is known for its universal appeal, secular ethos, and profound insights into human values and relationships. It has influenced generations across the globe and is considered a cherished philosophical and ethical guide.

24. Which one of the following explains the practice of 'Vattakirutal' as mentioned in Sangam poems ? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Kings employing women bodyguards
(b) Learned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters
(c) Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals
(d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death

Correct Answer: (d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death

Solution:'Vattakirutal' ritual was a Tamil ritual of fasting unto death. This practice was mainly prevalent during the Sangam period. This was way of ritual suicide by a king defeated in a battle by starving himself to death.

25. Who among the following was the author of the Tamil Ramayanam or Ramavataram ? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010]

(a) Kamban
(b) Kuttan
(c) Nannaya
(d) Tikkana

Correct Answer: (a) Kamban

Solution:Ramavtaram or Tamil Ramayanam was authored by Kamban.

Ramavataram differs from the original Sanskrit version in many ways, including the storyline and spiritual concepts.

26. With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2016]

1. Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
2. Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Solution:Siddhas are traced back to Sangama period, but the word Siddha is not found in Sangama literature. It is closely linked with origin and development of Saivism, Siddhanta philosophy, Tantras Science and Tecknology in South India. Siddhas means refined monotheistic and condemned idolatry. Thus, statement (1) is correct. Lingayat of Kannada region challenged the idea of caste attributed by certain group-s of Brahmin. They also questioned the theory of rebirth. They encouraged remarriage of widows and disapproved pre-puberty marriage. Thus, statement (2) is also correct.

27. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using codes given below the lists : [I.A.S. (Pre) 1997]

List-I	List-II
A. Gupta	1. Badami
B. Chandela	2. Panamalai
C. Chalukya	3. Khajuraho
D. Pallava	4. Deogarh

Code :

	A	B	C	D
(a)	4	3	1	2
(b)	4	2	3	1
(c)	2	3	4	1
(d)	3	4	1	2

Correct Answer: (a)

Solution:Dashavatara Temple is located at Deogarh in Lalitpur district, Uttar Pradesh. It belongs to the Gupta era. Khajuraho proclaims rich art culture of Chandelas. There are approx 25 temples which are related to Vishnu, Shiva and Jain deities. The most famous temple is Kandariya Mahadeva, Chalukyas had their capital at Badami (Karnataka) and Panamalai is related to Pallava.

28. Which one of the following was a corporation of merchants in ancient India ? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1997]

(a) Chaturvedimangalam
(b) Parishad
(c) Ashtadiggaja
(d) Manigramam

Correct Answer: (d) Manigramam

Solution:Various trade union existed in South Indian townships like Manigramam, Nanadesi, Valanjiyar, etc. The purpose of these unions was to encourage trade and business.

29. Famous South Indian 'The Battle of Takkolam' was fought between ? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001]

(a) Between Chola and North Chalukyas
(b) Between Chola and North Chalukyas
(c) Between Chola and Hoyasala
(d) Between Chola and Pandya

Correct Answer: (b) Between Chola and North Chalukyas

Solution:The battle of Takkolam was a military engagement between rajaditya, son of the Chola king Parantaka-I and a confederacy of western Gangas and Vaidunbas led by Rashtrakuta King Krishna-III at Takkolam.

30. Who devastated Chola dynasty eventually ? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]

(a) Mahmud Ghaznavi
(b) Bakhtiyar Khalji
(c) Muhammad gauri
(d) Malik Kafur

Correct Answer: (d) Malik Kafur

Solution:Near about 1250AD Hoyasala and Pandya Kingdom defeated Chola King Rajendra-III. Chola dynasty end nearly 1279 AD. Malik Kafur conquered south India in nearly 1310 AD. He conquered Yadav, Hoyasala, Kakatiya, Pandya.

Malik Kafur was the commander of Alauddin Khilji's forces during his Deccan Campaigns.

Malik Kafur was a slave who became a general in the army of Alauddin Khilji, ruler of the Delhi sultanate from 1296 to 1316 A.D. Malik Kafur has led to two successful campaigns in South India. The first was against the Kakatiyas of Warangal and the second against Hoysalas. In the Siege of Warangal, Malik Kafur defeated Prataparudra of the Kakatiya dynasty in 1310 AD. Warangal was the capital of the Kakatiya dynasty. In the siege of Devagiri, Malik Kafur defeated the Yadava dynasty in 1308 AD. In the siege of Dwarasamudra, Kafur defeated the Hoysala dynasty in 1311 AD.

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