Early Tamil Society and Culture Book Back Questions 9th Social Science Lesson 3

9th Social Science Lesson 3

3] Early Tamil Society and Culture

Book Back Questions with Answer and Do You Know Box Content

Do You Know?

Pulimankombai Hero stone: Pulimankombai is a village in the Vaigai river valley in Theni district. In 2006, rare hero stone inscriptions in Tamil-Brahmi script were discovered in this village. One of the inscriptions from Pulimankombai reads “Kudalur Akol pedu tiyan antavan kal”. It means “The stone of Tiyan Antavan who was killed in a cattle raid at the village of Kudalur”

What is an urban centre? A planned town with brick architecture and a proper layout. Urban centres have a larger population involved in non-agrarian, commercial and political occupations. Various industrial activities are seen in these towns.

Pattanam, Kerala: Pattanam is located near North Paravur in Vadakkekara village of Ernakulam district of Kerala. It was an ancient port town that had overseas connections with the western and eastern worlds.

Kodumanal, Tamil Nadu: Kodumanal is located near Erode in Tamil Nadu and is identified with the Kodumanam of Pathitrupattu. Evidence of iron, stone bead and shell work, as well as megalithic burials has been discovered at this site. More than 300 pottery inscriptions in Tamil-Brahmi have also been found.

Keezhadi near Madurai, Tamil Nadu: Keezhadi is located near Silaimaan east of Madurai, on the highway to Rameswaram. In a large coconut garden, called Pallichandai Tidal, the Archaeological Survey of India and Tamil Nadu state Archaeological Department excavated an ancient town dating to the Sangam Age. Archaeological excavations have produced evidence for brick buildings, drainage, and Tamil-Brahmi inscription on pottery, beads of glass, carnelian and quartz, pearl, iron objects, games pieces, and antimony rods. Further excavation may shed light on the nature of the craft production and the cultural activities undertaken at this settlement.

Choose the best answers:

1. The name of the script used in the Sangam Age.

(a) English

(b) Devanagari

(c) Tamil-Brahmi

(d) Granta

2 The Sri Lankan chronicle composed in the Pali language mentioning about merchants and horse traders from Tamil Nadu.

(a) Deepa vamsa

(b) Arthasastra

(c) Mahavamsa

(d) Indica

3. The notable Chola king credited with bringing forest lands under the plough and developing irrigational facilities.

(a) Karikalan

(b) Rajarajan I

(c) Kulothungan

(d) Rajendran I

4. Inscription that mentions the Cheras

(a) Pugalur

(b) Girnar

(c) Pulimankombai

(d) Madurai

5. (i) Coins as a medium of exchange were introduced for the first time in the Mesolithic Age.

(ii) Prakrit was the language used by the common people in Northern India during the Mauryan period.

(iii) Vienna Papyrus, a Roman document, mentions trade related to Muziri.

(iv) The concept of Thinai is presented in the Tamil grammar work of Pathupaatu.

(a) i is correct

(b) ii is correct

(c) ii and iii are correct

(d) iii and iv are correct

6. (i) Pathitrupathu speaks about the Pandya kings and their territory.

(ii) The Akanaanuru describes the trading activities at Kaveripoompattinam.

(iii) The Chola Emblem was the tiger and they issued square copper coins with images of a tiger.

(iv) Neythal is a sandy desert region.

(a) i is correct

(b) ii and iii are correct

(c) iii is correct

(d) iv is correct

Fill in the blanks:

1. _____________ are documents scripted on stones, copper plates, coins and rings.

2. ____________ refers to systematically digging a site to recover material evidence for exploring societies of the past.

3. ____________ the classic work on economy and statecraft authored by Kautilya during the Mauryan period.

4. _______________ is a poetic theme which means a class or category and refers to a habitat or eco-zone with specific physiographical characteristics.

5. ____________ referred to the Westerners, including the Greeks, Roman and West Asian people.

Consider the following the statements and tick the appropriate answer:

1. a) Evidence of iron smelting has been found in Kodumanal and Guttur.

b) Periplus of Erythren Sea mentions about the pepper trade with India.

c) Punch marked coins are the earliest coins used in India mostly made of gold.

d) The Sangam Age has its roots in the Bronze Age.

2. a) The Cheras ruled over Kaveri delta and their capital was Uraiyur.

b) The Maangulam Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions mention the King Karikalan.

c) The terms Vanikan and Nigama appear in Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions were different types of Merchants.

d) Salt merchants were called Vanikars and they travelled in bullock carts along with their family.

Match the following:

1. Epigraphy – A narrative text presenting the important historical events.

2. Chronicle – A Sangam Age port.

3. Pastoralism – An ornament made in precious stone.

4. Cameo – The study of inscriptions.

5. Arikkamedu – Nomadic people earning livelihood by rearing cattle.

Answers:

Choose the correct answers:

1. Tamil-Brahmi 2. Mahavamsa 3. Karikalan 4. Pugalur 5. Prakrit was the language used by the common people in Northern India during the Mauryan period 6. The Chola Emblem was the tiger and they issued square copper coins with images of a tiger.

Fill in the blanks:

1. Inscriptions 2. Archaeological Excavation 3. Arthashastra 4. Thinai 5. Yavanar

Consider the following the statements and tick the appropriate answer:

1. Evidence of iron smelting has been found in Kodumanal and Guttur

2. The terms Vanikan and Nigama appear in Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions were different types of Merchants

Match the following:

1. The study of inscriptions 2. A narrative text presenting the important historical events

3. Nomadic people earning livelihood by rearing cattle 4. An ornament made in precious stone

5. A Sangam Age port