Q40. Which Chola king conquered northern Sri Lanka?
[UPPSC Mains 2014]
A. Rajaraja I
B. Vijayalaya
C. Aditya I
D. Gandaraditya
Answer: A. Rajaraja I
Explanation: Rajaraja I conquered northern Sri Lanka and destroyed the political importance of Anuradhapura, while his son Rajendra later extended Chola control further.
Q39. An amphora is best described as:
[UPPSC Revenue Inspector 2014]
A. A tall double-handled jar
B. A stone inscription
C. A gold coin
D. A temple tower
Answer: A. A tall double-handled jar
Explanation: Amphorae were Mediterranean containers used especially for wine and oil. Their discovery at South Indian sites such as Arikamedu demonstrates Indo-Roman commercial contacts.
Q38. Dakshinamurti represents Shiva principally in the form of a:
[UPPSC Prelims 2013]
A. Teacher
B. Warrior
C. Sleeping deity
D. Merchant
Answer: A. Teacher
Explanation: Dakshinamurti portrays Shiva as the supreme teacher or guru, generally seated facing south and imparting spiritual knowledge.
Q37. Which Chola committee or Variyam looked after gardens?
[UP RO/ARO Mains 2013]
A. Eri Variyam
B. Thotta Variyam
C. Samvatsara Variyam
D. Pon Variyam
Answer: B. Thotta Variyam
Explanation: Thotta Variyam supervised gardens, while other committees handled irrigation tanks, annual administration, finance and specialized village responsibilities.
Q36. Which Tamil text has sometimes been called the “Laghuveda”?
[UP RO/ARO Mains 2013]
A. Kural
B. Periyapuranam
C. Kalingattupparani
D. Manimekalai
Answer: A. Kural
Explanation: Thiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural gained extraordinary prestige for its concise ethical teachings and universal discussion of virtue, wealth and human relationships.
Q35. Which sage is traditionally associated with the spread of Aryan cultural influence into South India?
[Jharkhand PSC Prelims 2013]
A. Agastya
B. Vashishtha
C. Bharadvaja
D. Vishvamitra
Answer: A. Agastya
Explanation: Later tradition strongly associates sage Agastya with southern India, Tamil language traditions and the diffusion of Sanskritic or northern cultural influences.
Q34. The Uttaramerur inscription is an important source for the administration of the:
[SSC CGL 2013]
A. Cholas
B. Mauryas
C. Kushanas
D. Sungas
Answer: A. Cholas
Explanation: Uttaramerur records provide exceptionally detailed information on Chola village assemblies, committee membership, qualifications, elections and administrative responsibilities.
Q33. Who established Gangaikonda Cholapuram?
[SSC MTS 2013]
A. Rajendra I
B. Rajaraja I
C. Vijayalaya
D. Parantaka I
Answer: A. Rajendra I
Explanation: Rajendra I founded Gangaikonda Cholapuram after his Ganga expedition and made it a major Chola imperial capital.
Q32. What was an important early capital of the Cholas during the Sangam period?
[SSC CHSL 2013]
A. Uraiyur
B. Vatapi
C. Kanchi
D. Madurai
Answer: A. Uraiyur
Explanation: Uraiyur, near modern Tiruchirappalli, was an important early Chola centre and was renowned in ancient literature for cotton production and trade.
Q31. Which Sangam ports were located on the western coast?
[UPPSC Prelims 2012]
- Korkai
- Puhar
- Tondi
- Mushiri
A. 1 and 2
B. 2 and 3
C. 3 and 4
D. 1 and 4
Answer: C. 3 and 4
Explanation: Tondi and Mushiri were important western-coast ports associated especially with Chera territory and overseas trade, while Korkai and Puhar lay on the eastern side.
