Q180. What was a characteristic feature of military-administrative organization under several Deccan dynasties such as the Chalukyas?
[RRB NTPC Graduate — 27 March 2026, Shift 1]
A. Complete abolition of feudatories
B. Feudatory chiefs received administrative and military responsibilities
C. Only priests commanded armies
D. Provinces had no governors
Answer: B. Feudatory chiefs received administrative and military responsibilities
Explanation: Chalukya political organization relied considerably on subordinate chiefs and feudatories who governed territories, maintained military contingents and acknowledged the overlordship of the ruling monarch.
Q179. Who defeated Harsha and is associated with the title Dakshinapatheshvara?
[RRB NTPC UG — 20 June 2026, Shift 2]
A. Narasimhavarman I
B. Pulakesin II
C. Rajendra I
D. Dantidurga
Answer: B. Pulakesin II
Explanation: Pulakesin II’s success against Harsha established Chalukya prestige in the Deccan. His achievements are celebrated in Ravikirti’s famous Aihole inscription.
Q178. The popularity of Tamil Bhakti hymns during Chola times was especially aided by support from:
[RRB NTPC UG — 9 May 2026, Shift 3]
A. Vellala peasants and rulers
B. Greek merchants alone
C. Central Asian nomads
D. Buddhist monks alone
Answer: A. Vellala peasants and rulers
Explanation: Tamil Shaiva and Vaishnava Bhakti traditions gained broad social and political support, including from landed Vellala groups and rulers who patronized temples and devotional institutions.
Q177. Who composed the Tirukkural?
[RRB NTPC UG — 14 June 2026, Shift 1]
A. Ilango Adigal
B. Sattanar
C. Thiruvalluvar
D. Kamban
Answer: C. Thiruvalluvar
Explanation: Thiruvalluvar authored the Tirukkural, a classical Tamil ethical text consisting of concise couplets dealing broadly with virtue, wealth, social conduct and love.
Q176. Consider the following Chola land categories:
- Shalabhoga — land assigned for maintaining a school.
- Devadana/Tirunamattukkani — land granted to temples.
Which statement(s) is/are correct?
[SSC GD Constable — 9 May 2026, Shift 2]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Chola inscriptions mention specialized land categories. Shalabhoga supported educational institutions, while Devadana or Tirunamattukkani referred to land endowed to temples.
Q175. Which three ruling houses are most prominently associated with Sangam-age Tamilakam?
[SSC GD Constable — 5 May 2026, Shift 2]
A. Chola, Chera and Pandya
B. Chola, Pala and Sena
C. Chera, Maurya and Gupta
D. Pallava, Pratihara and Pala
Answer: A. Chola, Chera and Pandya
Explanation: Sangam literature prominently describes the three crowned kings, or Muvendar—the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas—who dominated the political landscape of ancient Tamilakam.
Q174. According to Tamil tradition, the three Sangams were patronized mainly by which dynasty?
[SSC GD Constable — 5 May 2026, Shift 1]
A. Cholas
B. Pandyas
C. Pallavas
D. Chalukyas
Answer: B. Pandyas
Explanation: Tamil literary tradition associates the successive Sangam academies with Pandya patronage, particularly at Madurai, an important political and cultural centre of the Pandyas.
Q173. What was the principal capital of the ancient Pandya kingdom?
[SSC GD Constable — 8 May 2026, Shift 3]
A. Uraiyur
B. Madurai
C. Kanchi
D. Vatapi
Answer: B. Madurai
Explanation: Madurai served as the celebrated capital of the Pandyas and became an important centre of Tamil literary tradition, religion and commerce during the Sangam period.
Q172. Which ruler defeated Harshavardhana near the Narmada River?
[SSC GD Constable — 18 May 2026, Shift 1]
A. Pulakesin II
B. Narasimhavarman I
C. Rajaraja I
D. Krishna I
Answer: A. Pulakesin II
Explanation: Pulakesin II checked Harsha’s attempt to expand southward beyond the Narmada, establishing the river as an important political frontier between northern and Deccan powers.
Q171. The towering vimana of the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur is a classic feature of which architectural style?
[DSSSB MTS — 26 April 2026, Shift 3]
A. Nagara
B. Dravidian
C. Indo-Islamic
D. Gandhara
Answer: B. Dravidian
Explanation: Brihadisvara represents the mature Dravidian style, characterized by a monumental pyramidal vimana, axial planning, enclosed temple complex and extensive sculptural decoration.
