Q110. Vijayalaya’s successors expanded Chola territory mainly at the expense of which neighbouring powers?
[SSC CGL 2022 Tier-II — Held 4 March 2023]
A. Pandyas and Pallavas
B. Palas and Senas
C. Kushanas and Sungas
D. Guptas and Vakatakas
Answer: A. Pandyas and Pallavas
Explanation: After Vijayalaya, Chola rulers expanded both southward and northward, absorbing territories previously controlled by the Pandyas and declining Pallavas.
Q109. Consider the statements:
- Sangam texts were composed and compiled in assemblies of poets.
- These assemblies are traditionally associated with Madurai.
Which is correct?
[SSC CGL 2022 — 13 December, Shift 1]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Tamil tradition connects Sangam literature with assemblies of learned poets, particularly those held under Pandya patronage at Madurai.
Q108. Puhar or Kaveripattinam was an important port of which dynasty?
[SSC CGL 2022 — 13 December, Shift 3]
A. Chera
B. Chola
C. Pandya
D. Vakataka
Answer: B. Chola
Explanation: Puhar, also called Kaveripattinam, was a major Chola port at the Kaveri’s mouth and appears prominently in ancient Tamil literary descriptions of maritime commerce.
Q107. Thanjavur was an important capital of which dynasty?
[SSC CGL 2022 — 7 December, Shift 2]
A. Pala
B. Chola
C. Sena
D. Vakataka
Answer: B. Chola
Explanation: Vijayalaya captured Thanjavur, which became an important Chola capital. Rajaraja I later transformed it into a monumental imperial centre.
Q106. The famous Chola bronzes were commonly manufactured using which technique?
[SSC CGL 2022 — 12 December, Shift 1]
A. Lost-wax technique
B. Fresco technique
C. Pietra dura
D. Repoussé only
Answer: A. Lost-wax technique
Explanation: Chola bronze images were created using the lost-wax or cire perdue process, enabling highly individualized and technically sophisticated sacred metal sculptures.
Q105. Which town was identified in the examination as having developed as a temple town during the Chola period?
[SSC CGL 2022 — 8 December, Shift 3]
A. Ajmer
B. Bhillasvamin
C. Ahmedabad
D. Ahmadnagar
Answer: B. Bhillasvamin
Explanation: Temple-centred settlements grew as economic and religious institutions in medieval India, receiving land, employing artisans and attracting merchants and pilgrims.
Q104. Who belonged to the old Chola chiefly family of Uraiyur and captured the Kaveri delta in the ninth century?
[SSC CGL 2022 — 6 December, Shift 1]
A. Vijayalaya
B. Rajendra I
C. Gandaraditya
D. Rajadhiraja
Answer: A. Vijayalaya
Explanation: Vijayalaya captured Thanjavur during the ninth century and laid the political foundation for the later imperial expansion of the Cholas.
Q103. Which city in the Kaveri delta became the power centre of Vijayalaya?
[SSC CGL 2022 — 1 December, Shift 3]
A. Madurai
B. Thanjavur
C. Kanchi
D. Vengi
Answer: B. Thanjavur
Explanation: Vijayalaya seized Thanjavur from the Muttaraiyar chiefs, establishing the city as an early centre of revived Chola authority.
Q102. Vijayalaya’s successors annexed territories belonging mainly to the:
[SSC CGL 2022 — 9 December, Shift 2]
A. Pandyas and Pallavas
B. Palas and Chandelas
C. Senas and Guptas
D. Kushanas and Satavahanas
Answer: A. Pandyas and Pallavas
Explanation: Chola expansion occurred amid declining Pallava authority and continuing rivalry with the Pandyas, eventually producing a dominant Tamil imperial state.
Q101. Rajaraja I and Rajendra I belonged to which dynasty?
[SSC CGL 2022 — 7 December, Shift 1]
A. Chola
B. Pallava
C. Pandya
D. Chalukya
Answer: A. Chola
Explanation: Rajaraja I and his son Rajendra I represent the high point of imperial Chola military, naval, architectural and administrative expansion.
