Emergence of New Kingdoms in South India: Later Cholas and Pandyas 7th Social Science Lesson 1 Questions in English

7th Social Science Lesson 1 Questions in English

1. Emergence of New Kingdoms in South India: Later Cholas and Pandyas

1. The capital of ancient cholas ‘Uraiyur’ is named now as

a) Perambalur

b) Ariyalur

c) Tiruchirappalli

d) Thanjavur

Explanation

The ancient Chola kingdom reigned supreme with the Kaveri delta forming the core area of its rule and with Uraiyur (present- day Tiruchirappalli) as its capital.

2. The ancient chola kingdom rose to prominence during the reign of

a) Aditya cholan

b) Karikala cholan

c) Vijayalaya cholan

d) None of the above

Explanation

The ancient Chola kingdom rose to prominence during the reign of Karikala butradually declined under his successors.

3. Who revived the later cholas during 9th century?

a) Aditya cholan

b) Raja raja cholan

c) Vijayalaya cholan

d) None of the above

Explanation

In the 9th century Vijayalaya, ruling over a small territory lying north of the Kaveri, revived the Chola Dynasty. He conquered Thanjavur and made it his capital.

4. Who was the reason for building the new capital at Gangaikonda cholapuram?

a) Raja raja cholapuram

b) Rajendra cholan

c) Mumudicholan

d) Vijayalaya cholan

Explanation

In the 9th century Vijayalaya, ruling over a small territory lying north of the Kaveri, revived the Chola Dynasty. He conquered Thanjavur and made it his capital. Later Rajendra I and his successors ruled the empire from Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the newly built capital.

5. Raja raja cholan acclaimed naval expeditions to which of the following places

a) West coast

b) East coast

c) Sri Lanka

d) Both a and c

Explanation

Rajaraja I (A.D. (CE) 985 – 1016) was the most powerful ruler of Chola empire and also grew popular beyond his times. He established Chola authority over large parts of South India. His much-acclaimed naval expeditions led to the expansion of Cholas into the West Coast and Sri Lanka. He built the famous Rajarajeswaram (Brihadeshwara) Temple in Thanjavur.

6. From the following find out the time period of Rajendra cholan?

a) (CE) 1016 – 1047

b) (CE) 1019 – 1044

c) (CE) 1016 – 1044

d) None of the above

Explanation

Rajendra Chola I (A.D. (CE) 1016 – 1044, matched his father in his ability to expand the empire. The Chola empire remained a powerful force in South India during his reign. After his accession in A.D. (CE) 1023, his striking military expedition was to northern India, capturing much territory there.

7. Which of the following city was developed after the victories in North India by Rajendra cholan?

a) Jayankondam

b) Thanjavur

c) Gangaikonda cholapuram

d) Vadakukonda cholapuram

Explanation

Rajendra cholan proclaimed himself the Gangaikondan (conqueror of the Gangai region). The Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple was built to commemorate his victories in North India. The navy of Rajendra Chola enabled him to conquer the kingdom of Srivijaya (southern Sumatra). Cholas’ control over the seas facilitated a flourishing overseas trade.

8. From the following find the parents of Kulothunga cholan?

a) Vimaladitya x Kundavai

b) Raja raja Narendra x Ammangadevi

c) No matrimonial alliance

d) None of the above

Explanation

Matrimonial alliances between the Cholas and the Eastern Chalukyas began during the reign of Rajaraja I. His daughter Kundavai was married to Chalukya prince Vimaladitya. Their son was Rajaraja Narendra who married the daughter of Rajendra Chola named Ammangadevi. Their son was Kulothunga I.

9. Who established chalukya chola dynasty ?

a) Rajendra chalukya

b) Kulothunga I

c) Athirajan

d) Both a and b

Explanation

On hearing the death of Athirajendra, the Eastern Chalukya prince Rajendra Chalukya seized the Chola throne and began the rule of Chalukya-Chola dynasty as Kulothunga I. Kulothunga established himself firmly on the Chola throne soon eliminating all the threats to the Chola Empire. He avoided unnecessary wars and earned the goodwill of his subjects. But Kulothunga lost the territories in Ceylon.

10. Who defeated the last ruler of chola dynasty, Rajendra III?

a) Maravarman kulasekaran pandyan I

b) Maravarman nedunchezhian pandyan

c) Neducheralathan

d) None of the above

Explanation

The Pandya territory also began to slip out of Chola control. Kanchipuram was lost to the Telugu Cholas. The year 1279 marks the end of Chola dynasty when King Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I defeated the last king Rajendra Chola III and established the rule of the Pandyas in present-day Tamil Nadu.

11. Who were appointed as governors in Provinces during the chola administration?

a) Elected representatives

b) Yuvarajas

c) Elder people

d) None of the above

Explanation

The ruler selected his eldest son as the heir apparent. He was known as Yuvaraja. The Yuvarajas were appointed as Governors in the provinces mainly for administrative training.

12. What is the group of villages in chola administration called as

a) Gramam

b) Mandalams

c) Naadus

d) Kurrams

Explanation

The Chola rulers established a well- organised system of administration. The empire, for administrative convenience, was divided into provinces or mandalams. Each mandalam was sub-divided into naadus. Within each naadu, there were many kurrams (groups of villages). The lowest unit was the gramam (village).

13. Which of the following is not related to Local administration?

a) Urar

b) Nagarattar

c) Nattar

d) None of the above

Explanation

Local administration worked through various bodies such as Urar, Sabhaiyar, Nagarattar and Nattar. With the expansion of agriculture, numerous peasant settlements came up on the countryside. They were known as Ur. The Urar, who were landholders acted as spokesmen in the Ur. Sabhaiyar in Brahman villages also functioned in carrying out administrative, financial and judicial functions. Nagarattar administered the settlement of traders. However, skilled artisans like masons, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, weavers and potters also lived in Nagaram. Nattar functioned as an assembly of Nadu and decided all the disputes and issues pertaining to Nadu.

14. Uttiramerur is presently located in

a) Kanchipuram district

b) Thiruvallur district

c) Ariyalur district

d) None of the above

Explanation

Uttiramerur presently in Kanchipuram district was a Brahmadeya village (land grants given to Brahmins).

15. According to Uttiramerur inscription, how many wards were there?

a) 25

b) 35

c) 30

d) 20

Explanation

There is a detailed description of how members were elected to the committees of the village Sabha in the inscriptions found in Uttiramerur. One member was to be elected from each ward. There were 30 wards in total. The eligibility to contest was to men in the age group of 35–70, well-versed in vedic texts and scriptures, and also owned land and house.

16. Land grants to Jains in chola administration was named as

a) Devadana

b) Bramhadeya

c) Vellanvengai

d) Pallichchandam

Explanation

The Chola rulers gifted tax-free lands to royal officials, Brahmins, temples (devadana villages) and religious institutions. Land granted to Jain institutions was called pallichchandam. There were also of Vellanvengai land and the holders of this land were called Vellalars.

17. In traditional type of harnessing rain water in the Cauvery delta, Vaykkal is known as

a) Drainage channel

b) Supply channel

c) Both a and b

d) None of the above

Explanation

Cholas gave importance to irrigation. The 16- mile long embankment built by Rajendra Chola in Gangaikonda Cholapuram is an illustrious example. Vati-vaykkal, a criss-cross channel, is a traditional type of harnessing rain water in the Cauvery delta. Vati is a drainage channel and a vaykkal is the supply channel.

18. Who codified the book ‘Thirumurai’?

a) Appar

b) Sundarar

c) Nambiyandar nambi

d) None of the above

Explanation

Chola rulers were ardent Saivites. Hymns, in praise of the deeds of Lord Siva, were composed by the Saiva saints, the Nayanmars. Nambiyandar Nambi codified them, which came to be known as the Thirumurai.

19. Which of the following temple is not related to chola period?

a) Thanjavur periya kovil

b) Gangaikonda cholapuram

c) Airavateswar temple

d) None of the above

Explanation

The Chola period witnessed an extensive construction of temples. The temples in Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram are the repository of architecture, sculpture, paintings and iconography of the Chola art.

20. The vedic college established by Rajendra I is located in

a) Ennayiram

b) Vadakkur

c) Saaram

d) Thanjavur

Explanation

Chola kings were great patrons of learning. Rajendra I established a Vedic college at Ennayiram (now in Villupuram District). There were 340 students learning the Vedas, grammar and Upanishads under 14 teachers. This example was later followed by his successors and as a result two more such colleges had been founded, at Tirubuvanai near present-day Puducherry and Tirumukkoodal in present-day Chengalpattu district, in 1048 and 1067 respectively. The great literary works Periyapuranam and Kamba Ramayanam belong to this period.

21. The present day name of Tirumukkoodal is

a) Kanchipuram

b) Chengalpattu

c) Puducherry

d) Nagapattinam

Explanation

Tirubuvanai near present-day Puducherry and Tirumukkoodal in present-day Chengalpattu district, in 1048 and 1067 respectively. The great literary works Periyapuranam and Kamba Ramayanam belong to this period.

22. Who among the following involved in trade during the rule of cholas?

a) Anju vanattar

b) Mani gramattar

c) Both a and b

d) Niani nuvar

Explanation

Trade was carried out by two guild-like groups: anju-vannattar and mani- gramattar. Anju-vannattar comprised West Asians, Arabs, Jews, Christians and Muslims. They were maritime traders and settled on the port towns all along the West Coast. It is said that mani-gramattar were the traders engaged in inland trade. In due course, both groups merged under the banner of ai-nutruvar and disai-ayirattu-ai-nutruvar functioning through the head guild in Ayyavole, Karnataka.

23. Which of the following is considered as earlier capital of pandyas during 4th century BCE?

a) Madurai

b) Korkai

c) Karaikal

d) Chennai

Explanation

Pandyas were one of the three ancient Tamil dynasties that ruled southern India since the 4th century B.C. (BCE) but intermittently. Korkai, associated with pearl fisheries, is believed to have been their early capital and port. They moved to Madurai later, as many early Tamil inscriptions of Pandyas have been unearthed in Madurai and its surroundings.

24. When was Pandya dynasty re-established in Tamil Nadu after eliminating Kalabhras?

a) 4th century BCE

b) 6th century AD

c) 4th century AD

d) None of the above

Explanation

The Pandyas had re-established their strong position in south Tamil Nadu by the end of the 6th century A.D. (CE), after eliminating the rule of Kalabhras. But they could not resist the rising power of the later Cholas who ruled South India from 9th to 13th century.

25. Which Pandyan ruler given below is the contemporary of Mahendravarman I and Narasimhavarman I?

a) Pandya nedunchezhian

b) Arikesari maravarman

c) Jatakesari pandian

d) None of the above

Explanation

Arikesari Maravarman was the first strong Pandya ruler who ascended the throne in A.D. (CE) 642. He was a contemporary of Mahendravarman I and Narasimhavarman I. Inscriptions and copper plates praise his victory over his counterparts: Cheras, Cholas, Pallavas and Sinhalese. Arikesari Maravarman is identified with the Kun Pandian, the persecutor of Jains.

26. Which saivaite saint converted Arikesari from Jainism to Saivism?

a) Appar

b) Sundarar

c) Thirunavukkarasar

d) Thirugnanasambandar

Explanation

Saivite saint Thirugnanasambandar converted Arikesari from Jainism to Saivism. On his conversion, Arikesari is alleged to have impaled around 8000 Jains on stakes. Though the number is an exaggerated one, the anti-Jain attitude of Arikesari after his conversion to Saivism cannot be doubted.

27. Who is the donor of velvikkudi plates?

a) Varaguna I

b) Nedunjadayan III

c) Paranthaka I

d) None of the above

Explanation

After Arikesari, the greatest of the dynasty was Jatila Parantaka Nedunjadayan (Varaguna I) (756-815), the donor of the Velvikkudi plates. Nedunjadayan expanded the Pandya territory to include Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, Salem and Coimbatore districts.

28. In which century Pandya dynasty emerged as only leading Tamil dynasty?

a) 14th century

b) 17th century

c) 13th century

d) 18th century

Explanation

The Chola viceroyalty became weak in Pandya country after the death of Adhirajendra (the last king of Vijayalaya line). Eventually the Pandya kingdom could emerge as the only leading Tamil dynasty in the 13th century. Madurai continued to be their capital.

29. _____ a famous traveler from Venice, visited Kayal twice, in 1288 and 1293.

a) Marco polo

b) Hieun tsang

c) Megasthenes

d) Fahein

Explanation

Marco Polo, a famous traveler from Venice, visited Kayal twice, in 1288 and 1293. He tells us that this port town was full of ships from Arabia and China and bustling with business activities.

30. Jatavarman empire extended up to

a) Pakistan

b) Nellore

c) Calcutta

d) None of the above

Explanation

The illustrious ruler of the second Pandya Kingdom was Sadaiyavarman (Jatavarman) Sundarapandyan (1251 to 1268). He brought the entire Tamil Nadu under his rule, which extended up to Nellore in Andhra. He held the Hoysalas in check. The Chera ruler, the chief of Malanadu, accepted his feudatory position and paid tribute to Sundarapandyan.

31. In whose period, Malik kafur invaded south India?

a) Maravarman kulasekaran

b) Virapandiyan

c) Sundarapandiyan

d) None of the above

Explanation

After Sundara pandyan, Maravarman Kulasekaran ruled successfully for a period of 40 years , giving the country peace and prosperity. He had two sons. The king’s appointment of ViraPandyan as a co-regent provoked the other son Sundara Pandyan who killed his father Maravarman Kulasekaran. In the civil war that ensued, Vira Pandyan won and became firmly established in his kingdom. The defeated Sundara Pandyan fled to Delhi and took refuge under the protection of Ala-ud-din Khalji. This provided the opening for the invasion of Malik Kafur.

32. Which of the following is considered as names of Pandiyan Kings?

a) Koodal

b) Koodal kon

c) Koodal nagar kavalan

d) Both b and c

Explanation

Pandya kings preferred Madurai as their capital. Madurai has been popularly venerated as Koodal. The kings are traditionally revered as Koodal-kon, Koodal Nagar Kavalan. The Pandyas derived military advantage over their neighbours by means of their horses. They imported these horses through Arabs with whom they had commercial and cultural contact.

33. The actual land owning groups in Pandya dynasty are described as

a) Bumiputtirar

b) Vellalar

c) Both a and b

d) None of the above

Explanation

Kings and local chiefs created Brahmin settlements called Mangalam or Chatur-vedi-mangalam with irrigation facilities. The actual landowning groups are described as the Bumiputtirar, otherwise called the vellalar. Historically they were locals and hence they were referred to as nattu-makkal. The communal assembly of this group is Cittira Meli Periyanattar.

34. Mangalam, nagaram, ur are contained under

a) Valanadu

b) Nattars

c) Kurram

d) None of the above

Explanation

Pandya nadu, as in Chola state, consisted of many provinces known as vala-nadus, which, in turn, were divided into many nadus and kurrams. The administrative authorities of nadus were the nattars. Nadu and Kurram contained settlements, viz. mangalam, nagaram, or and kudi, where different social groups inhabited.

35. Velvikkudi copper plates as well as inscriptional sources mention the rituals like

a) Asvameda yaga

b) Hiranya garbha

c) Vajapeya yaga

d) All the above

Explanation

Pandyas extended patronage to vedic practices. Velvikkudi copper plates as well as inscriptional sources mention the rituals like Asvameda yaga, Hiranya garbha and Vajapeya yaga, conducted by every great Pandya king. The impartiality of rulers towards both Saivism and Vaishnavism is also made known in the invocatory portions of the inscriptions.

36. The Pandya kings of the period supported and promoted

a) Tamil

b) Hindi

c) Sanskrit

d) Both a and c

Explanation

Many instances of the defeat of Buddhists and Jains in such debates are mentioned in Bhakti literature. The Pandya kings of the period supported and promoted Tamil and Sanskrit.

37. _______ stated that the kings invested in horses as there was a need of horse for ceremonial purposes as well as for fighting wars.

a) Fahein

b) Marco polo

c) Wassaf

d) Both b and c

Explanation

In 13th and 14th centuries, horse trade became brisk. Marco Polo and Wassaff state that the kings invested in horses as there was a need of horse for ceremonial purposes as well as for fighting wars. Those who were trading in horses were called kudirai chetties.

38. The average cost of each horse in pandya dynasty in red gold is

a) 220 dinars

b) 330 dinars

c) 20 dinars

d) None of the above

Explanation

The vast trade in horses of that time has been recorded by Wassaff. He writes: ‘…as many as 10,000 horses were imported into Kayal and other ports of India of which 1,400 were to be of Jamal- ud-din’s own breed. The average cost of each horse was 220 dinars of “red gold’.

39. Which of the following temples were constructed by later pandyas?

a) Madurai Meenakshi temple

b) Rameswaram temple

c) Tiruvannamalai temple

d) Temples renovated only

Explanation

Medieval Pandyas and later Pandyas did not build any new temples but maintained the existing temples, enlarging them with the addition of gopuras, and mandapas. The monolithic mega size ornamented pillars are the unique feature of the medieval Pandya style.

40.The name of prime minister in pandyan empire is

a) Muthanmai mantri

b) Uttara mantri

c) Mantri

d) None of the above

Explanation

A band of officials executed the royal orders. The prime minister was uttara-mantri. The historical personalities like Manickavasagar, Kulaciraiyar and Marankari worked as ministers. The royal secretariat was known as eluttu-mandapam.