History & Culture chapter practice
Practise 80+ South India and Sangam Age MCQs for UPSC Prelims in History & Culture, including 7+ previous year questions. The sample set below is shown with correct answers and explanations.
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Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya?
Explanation
Correct. Rajendra Chola I launched the famous naval expedition against the Srivijaya empire around 1025 CE, attacking key ports in modern-day Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula to secure Chola dominance over Bay of Bengal trade routes.
Which one of the following explains the practice of 'Vattakirutal' as mentioned in the Sangam poems?
Explanation
Correct. Vattakirutal was a heroic but tragic practice in which a defeated king sat facing north and fasted to death. It was considered an honourable way to end one's life after a humiliating military defeat, as described in Sangam Puram poetry.
With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar, and Muchiri were well known as:
Explanation
Correct. Korkai was the Pandya pearl-fishing port, Poompuhar (Kaveripattinam) was the great Chola emporium at the Kaveri mouth, and Muchiri (Muziris) on the Malabar coast was the premier port for Roman trade. All three were major maritime outlets.
Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?
Explanation
Correct. Sangam texts, while rooted in Tamil social patterns such as the fivefold tinai classification, also show awareness of the northern varna system. References to Brahmins, their rituals, and social hierarchy appear in several Sangam works.
India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asia across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of the early maritime history of the Bay of Bengal, which of the following could be the most convincing explanation/explanations?
Explanation
Correct. The predictable seasonal monsoon wind patterns across the Bay of Bengal were the most fundamental factor enabling regular sea voyages between India and Southeast Asia, making navigation feasible and repeatable.
Consider the following statements: 1. The Cholas defeated Pandya and Chera rulers and established their domination over peninsular India in early medieval times. 2. The Cholas sent an expedition against the Sailendra empire of South-East Asia and conquered some of the areas. Which of these statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Correct. The Cholas under Rajaraja I and Rajendra I defeated the Pandyas and Cheras to dominate peninsular India. Rajendra I also sent a famous naval expedition against the Sailendra (Srivijaya) empire around 1025 CE, conquering parts of Southeast Asia.
Which one of the Chola kings conquered Ceylon?
Explanation
Correct. Rajendra Chola I completed the conquest of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) around 1017 CE, capturing the Sinhalese king Mahinda V and bringing the entire island under Chola control.
The Sangam Age economy was characterised by brisk trade with Rome. Which of the following items was NOT a major South Indian export to the Roman Empire?
Explanation
Correct. Horses were imported into India, not exported. India received horses from Central Asia, Arabia, and Persia. South Indian exports to Rome included pepper, pearls, muslin, ivory, precious stones, and spices.
Consider the following statements about Chola temple architecture: 1. The Dravidian style of temple architecture reached its zenith under the Cholas. 2. The vimana (tower over the sanctum) is taller than the gopuram (gateway tower) in Chola temples. 3. Bronze casting of Nataraja reached its finest expression during the Chola period. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Correct. Chola temples represent the zenith of Dravidian architecture. In the classical Chola style, the vimana is taller than the gopuram (this reversed in later periods). Chola bronze sculptures, especially the Nataraja, are masterpieces of Indian art.
The Aihole inscription, composed by the poet Ravikirti, is associated with which ruler?
Explanation
Correct. The Aihole inscription (c. 634 CE), composed in Sanskrit by the court poet Ravikirti, is a prasasti (eulogy) of Chalukya king Pulakeshin II. It records his military achievements including the defeat of Harshavardhana and is an important historical document.
Which of the following pairs of Sangam Age ports and their associated kingdoms is correctly matched? 1. Kaveripattinam — Chola 2. Muziris — Pandya 3. Korkai — Chera
Explanation
Correct. Only Kaveripattinam (Puhar) is correctly matched with the Chola kingdom. Muziris was a Chera port on the Malabar coast, not a Pandya port. Korkai was a Pandya pearl-fishing port, not a Chera port.
Consider the following statements: 1. Rajaraja I conquered the northern part of Sri Lanka and named it Mummudi Cholamandalam. 2. Rajaraja I annexed the Maldive Islands to the Chola Empire. 3. Rajaraja I invaded the eastern Chalukya kingdom and installed his own nominee. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Correct. Rajaraja I conquered northern Sri Lanka and renamed it Mummudi Cholamandalam. He also annexed the Maldive Islands and intervened in the Eastern Chalukya kingdom of Vengi, installing a nominee and creating a Chola-Chalukya alliance through marriage.
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