Q60. “Pallichchandam” denoted land donated to:
[SSC CGL 2017 — 21 August, Shift 2]
A. Jain institutions
B. Royal army
C. Brahmins
D. Schools
Answer: A. Jain institutions
Explanation: Pallichchandam was land assigned to Jain establishments, distinct from Brahmadeya, Devadana and Shalabhoga grants.
Q59. What did “Devadana” signify under the Cholas?
[SSC CGL 2017 — 23 August, Shift 1]
A. Land gifted to a temple
B. Land belonging to merchants
C. Land assigned to soldiers
D. Village pasture
Answer: A. Land gifted to a temple
Explanation: Devadana literally means a gift to a deity and referred to endowed land whose revenue supported a temple and associated religious activities.
Q58. Land granted to Brahmins under the Cholas was called:
[SSC CGL 2017 — 23 August, Shift 3]
A. Brahmadeya
B. Vellanvagai
C. Devadana
D. Pallichchandam
Answer: A. Brahmadeya
Explanation: Brahmadeya villages received grants for Brahmins and often possessed powerful Sabhas that managed land, irrigation, taxation and other local affairs.
Q57. “Vellanvagai” referred to:
[SSC CGL 2017 — 22 August, Shift 1]
A. Land of non-Brahmin peasant proprietors
B. Temple land
C. School land
D. Jain institutional land
Answer: A. Land of non-Brahmin peasant proprietors
Explanation: Chola inscriptions distinguish Vellanvagai agricultural holdings from temple, Brahmin, Jain and educational grants, revealing a highly differentiated agrarian structure.
Q56. The Chola dynasty ruled primarily in which part of India?
[SSC CGL 2017 — 19 August, Shift 2]
A. Southern India
B. North-western India
C. Kashmir
D. Bengal only
Answer: A. Southern India
Explanation: The Chola heartland lay in the fertile Kaveri valley of Tamil Nadu, though at their imperial height they controlled territories far beyond this core.
Q55. The characteristic temple architectural style developed under the Cholas is:
[SSC MTS 2017 — 13 October, Shift 1]
A. Dravidian
B. Nagara
C. Gandhara
D. Indo-Saracenic
Answer: A. Dravidian
Explanation: Chola architects brought the Dravidian temple tradition to monumental maturity, as demonstrated by Brihadisvara and Gangaikondacholapuram.
Q54. Which Chola land-category pairing is incorrect?
[SSC MTS 2017 — 4 October, Shift 2]
A. Devadana — temple land
B. Shalabhoga — school land
C. Brahmadeya — Brahmin grant
D. Vellanvagai — land donated to Jain institutions
Answer: D. Vellanvagai — land donated to Jain institutions
Explanation: Land for Jain institutions was Pallichchandam. Vellanvagai referred principally to agricultural holdings of non-Brahmin peasant proprietors.
Q53. The famous group of monuments at Mahabalipuram was constructed primarily by the:
[RRB NTPC CBT-2 — 18 January 2017, Shift 3]
A. Pallavas
B. Cholas
C. Pandyas
D. Rashtrakutas
Answer: A. Pallavas
Explanation: Pallava rulers, particularly Narasimhavarman I and Narasimhavarman II, transformed Mahabalipuram into a major centre of rock-cut, monolithic and structural architecture.
Q52. Kailasanathar Temple at Kanchipuram is associated principally with which dynasty?
[RRB NTPC CBT-2 — 18 January 2017, Shift 2]
A. Pallava
B. Maurya
C. Pala
D. Sena
Answer: A. Pallava
Explanation: The Kailasanatha Temple was developed under the Pallavas and is especially associated with Narasimhavarman II Rajasimha.
Q51. Brihadisvara Temple is located at:
[SSC CHSL 2016 — Held 11 January 2017, Shift 3]
A. Thanjavur
B. Kanchipuram
C. Madurai
D. Pattadakal
Answer: A. Thanjavur
Explanation: The great Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur was commissioned by Rajaraja I and remains one of India’s most important Chola monuments.
