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Ancient History MCQs – 13 ( South Indian Kingdoms )

South Indian Kingdoms MCQs with answers and explanations for preparation of UPSC, State PSCs and other Examinations

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1. Chalukyas established their empire in which among the following regions ?

A. Deccan
B. Far South India
C. Gujarat
D. Malwa

Correct Answer – [A] Deccan

  • The Chalukyas ruled parts of Southern and Central India(Deccan) between the 6 CE to 12 CE.
  • There were three distinct but related Chalukya dynasties:
  • Badami Chalukyas :
    • The earliest Chalukyas with their capital at Badami (Vatapi) in Karnataka. 
    • They ruled from mid-6th till the  death of their greatest king, Pulakesin II in 642 AD.
  • Eastern Chalukyas: 
    • They emerged after the death of Pulakesin II in Eastern Deccan with the capital at Vengi. 
    • They ruled till the 11th century.
  • Western Chalukyas: 
    • They were descendants of the Badami Chalukyas. 
    • They emerged in the late 10th century and ruled from Kalyani.

2. Who was the last Chalukyan King, defeated by the Rashtrakuta King Dantidurga?

A. Kirtivarman II
B. Vikramaditya II
C. Pulakesin II
D. Vikramaditya I

Correct Answer – [A] Kirtivarman II

  • Kirtivarman II was the last of the Chalukya rulers. 
  • He was defeated by the Rashtrakuta king ‘Dantidurga’.
  • The Rashtrakuta dynasty was established by Dantidurga.

3. The famous Kailasa Temple at Ellora was built by who among the following ?

A. Kirtivarman II
B. Krishna I
C. Pulakesin II
D. Dantidurga

Correct Answer – [B] Krishna I 

  • The Kailasa Temple at Ellora was built by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I between 756 and 773 AD. 
  • This temple is part of the famous Ellora Caves.

4. Mahendravarman I, Narasimhavarman I and Narasimhavarman II were the great rulers in South Indian History. They belonged to which among the following Dynasty ?

A. Chalukya Dynasty
B. Chola Dynasty
C. Pallava Dynasty
D. None of the above

Correct Answer –  [C] Pallava Dynasty

  • Mahendravarman I, Narasimhavarman I and Narasimhavarman II belonged to the Pallava Dynasty.

5. Which among the following rulers was converted to Shaivism by the influence of the Saiva saint ‘Appar’ ?

A. Kirtivarman II
B. Mahendravarman I
C. Pulakesin II
D. Narasimhavarman II

Correct Answer – [B] Mahendravarman I

  • Mahendravarman I was initially a follower of Jainism. 
  • He was converted to Shaivism by the influence of the Saiva saint, Thirunavukkarasar alias Appar.
  • He was a great builder of cave/rock cut temples. 
  • The Mandagapattu inscription hails him as ‘Vichitrachitta’ who constructed a temple for Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva without the use of bricks.
  • He had also authored the Sanskrit work ‘Mattavilasa Prahasanam’.

6. Which among the following was also known as Mamalla ?

A. Narasimhavarman I
B. Mahendravarman I
C. Pulakesin II
D. Narasimhavarman II

Correct Answer –  [A] Narasimhavarman I

  • Narasimhavarman I (630-668 A.D.) was also known as Mamalla, which means ‘great wrestler’.
  • Mamallapuram was a town named after Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, who was also known as Mamalla.
  • Mamallapuram, presently known as Mahabalipuram, is a town of Tamil Nadu.
  • It is known for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of 7th and 8th century Hindu Group of Monuments.
  • Mamallapuram was also one of two major port cities in the Pallava kingdom. 
  • Narasimhavarman I defeated the Chalukya army and destroyed their capital city of Vatapi. After this, Narasimhavarman I assumed the title ‘Vatapikonda’.
  • During his reign, Hiuen Tsang visited the Pallava capital Kanchipuram.

7. Last Pallava ruler was ?

A. Parameswaravarman II
B. Nandivarman II
C. Aparajita
D. Narasimhavarman II

Correct Answer – [C] Aparajita

  • The Pallava rule lasted till the end of the ninth century A.D.
  • The Chola king Aditya I defeated the last Pallava ruler Aparajita and seized the Kanchi region. 
  • With this, the rule of the Pallava dynasty came to an end.

8. With reference to Pallava rule in ancient India, ‘Kottam’, ‘Nadu’ and ‘Ur’ refer to ?

A. Administrative Divisions
B. Land Grants to Temples and Brahmans
C. Taxes on Agriculture
D. None of the above

Correct Answer – [A] Administrative Divisions

  • The Pallavas had a well organized administrative system. 
  • Pallavas had divided the empire into several administrative units. They were called Mandalam, Kottam, Nadu and Ur. 
  • These administrative divisions can be compared with the modern administrative divisions like province or state, district, taluk and village.
  • The biggest unit of the Pallava administration was Mandalam. 
  • Each Mandalam was divided into several Kottams. 
  • The number of Kottams varied according to the size of the Mandalam. Officials were appointed by the king to administer each Kottam.
  • The next administrative unit was called Nadu. It was bigger than Ur or Village. There were several villages in each Nadu. A council called Naattar was in charge of the administration of Nadu.
  • The Ur or village was the smallest unit of the Pallava administration. It was also under the control of the village committees called Sabhas.

9. With reference to Pallava rule in ancient India, ‘Devadhana’ and ‘Brahmadeya’ refer to ?

A. Administrative Divisions
B. Land Grants to Temples and Brahmans
C. Taxes on Agriculture
D. None of the above

Correct Answer – [B] Land Grants to Temples and Brahmans

  • During the Pallava rule, Land-grants provided to the temples were known as ‘Devadhana’ and to the Brahmans were known as ‘Brahmadeya’.
  • Land tax was the primary source of the government revenue However Brahmadeya and Devadhana lands were exempted from tax.

10. The Chola Empire was founded by ?

A. Rajendra I
B. Vijayalaya
C. Rajaraja I
D. None of the above

Correct Answer – [B] Vijayalaya

  • The founder of the Chola Empire was Vijayalaya. 
  • However, It was under Rajaraja I and his son Rajendra I that the Chola power reached its highest point of glory.
  • It was one of the longest lasting dynasties of South India.

11. Ancient city of ‘Gangaikondacholapuram’ was founded by who among the following ?

A. Rajendra I
B. Vijayalaya
C. Rajaraja I
D. Narasimhavarman II

Correct Answer –  [A] Rajendra I

  • Chola ruler Rajendra I defeated Pala ruler Mahipala I of Bengal and to commemorate his victory, Rajendra founded the city of Gangaikondacholapuram. 
  • It has been recognised as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

12. Rajarajeshwara temple was built by who among the following ?

A. Rajendra I
B. Vijayalaya
C. Rajaraja I
D. Narasimhavarman II

Correct Answer –  [C] Rajaraja I

  • Rajaraja Chola-I was a strong Chola ruler who ascended the throne in 985 AD. 
  • Under him, the Chola empire expanded aggressively and by the time of his death, the Chola empire included the whole of modern Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, parts of Andhra Pradesh, parts of Odisha, whole of Kerala and Sri Lanka.
  • He possessed a powerful standing army and a great navy.
  • He built the Rajarajeshwara temple at Thanjavur which is also known as Brihadeeswarar Temple. This temple is dedicated to lord Shiva and it is a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site.

13. With reference to Chola rule in ancient India, ‘Nadus’ and ‘Valanadus’ refer to which among the following ?

A. Administrative Divisions
B. Land Grants to Temples and Brahmans
C. Taxes on Agriculture
D. None of the above

Correct Answer –  [A] Administrative Divisions.

  • The Cholas had a well organized administrative system. 
  • They had divided the empire into several administrative units. They were called Valanadus (Divisions), Nadus (Districts) and Kurrams (Villages).

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