Q160. Which Pallava ruler bore titles such as Mattavilasa, Vichitrachitta and Gunabhara?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2025]
A. Narasimhavarman I
B. Mahendravarman I
C. Nandivarman II
D. Simhavishnu
Answer: B. Mahendravarman I
Explanation: Mahendravarman I was an accomplished Pallava ruler, patron of art and literature, and author of Mattavilasa Prahasana. His inscriptions record several distinctive royal epithets.
Q159. Match the ruler with the dynasty:
- Mahendravarman I — Pallava
- Kadungon — Pandya
- Amoghavarsha I — Rashtrakuta
- Rajaraja I — Chola
How many are correctly matched?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims 2025]
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Answer: D. Four
Explanation: All four pairs are correct. They represent prominent rulers of four major dynasties that shaped the political and cultural history of early medieval South India and the Deccan.
Q158. In Chola inscriptions, land assigned for the maintenance of a school was called:
[UPSC NDA II 2025]
A. Devadana
B. Shalabhoga
C. Brahmadeya
D. Vellanvagai
Answer: B. Shalabhoga
Explanation: Shalabhoga denoted land whose revenue supported educational institutions. Chola inscriptions similarly identify specialized land grants to temples, Brahmins and Jain establishments.
Q157. The work or artistic tradition known as Dakshinachitra is associated in examination literature with the reign of which Pallava ruler?
[SSC CPO 2025 — 11 December]
A. Mahendravarman I
B. Narasimhavarman II
C. Nandivarman III
D. Dantivarman
Answer: A. Mahendravarman I
Explanation: Mahendravarman I is remembered not only as a ruler but also as a major patron and practitioner of literature, painting, music and early Pallava rock-cut architecture.
Q156. Which Pallava ruler is associated with the famous Rathas at Mahabalipuram?
[SSC CHSL 2025 — 21 November, Shift 1]
A. Pulakesin I
B. Rajendra I
C. Narasimhavarman I
D. Karikala
Answer: C. Narasimhavarman I
Explanation: Narasimhavarman I, known as Mamalla, sponsored monumental activity at Mahabalipuram. The monolithic Rathas are among the finest examples of Pallava experimentation in stone architecture.
Q155. Who is commonly regarded as one of the most powerful rulers of the imperial Chola dynasty?
[SSC CHSL 2025 — 21 November, Shift 1]
A. Rajaraja I
B. Gandaraditya
C. Uttama Chola
D. Arinjaya
Answer: A. Rajaraja I
Explanation: Rajaraja I greatly expanded Chola territory, strengthened administration and naval power, and commissioned the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur.
Q154. In the context of ancient South India, the word “Sangam” refers to:
[SSC CHSL 2025 — 26 November, Shift 1]
A. A military tax
B. An assembly of Tamil poets and scholars
C. A Chola naval base
D. A temple tax
Answer: B. An assembly of Tamil poets and scholars
Explanation: Sangam literally denotes an assembly or association. Tamil tradition remembers assemblies of poets and scholars under Pandya patronage, producing the celebrated Sangam literary corpus.
Q153. The earliest surviving Sangam compositions are broadly associated with a period beginning approximately how many years ago?
[SSC CHSL 2025 — 17 November, Shift 3]
A. 1,000 years
B. 1,500 years
C. 2,300 years
D. 5,000 years
Answer: C. 2,300 years
Explanation: Early Sangam compositions are generally associated with the last centuries BCE and early centuries CE, making their literary tradition approximately two millennia old.
Q152. Who is regarded as the founder of the Badami Chalukya dynasty?
[RRB NTPC Graduate 2025 — 9 June, Shift 2]
A. Pulakesin I
B. Pulakesin II
C. Vikramaditya I
D. Kirtivarman II
Answer: A. Pulakesin I
Explanation: Pulakesin I established Chalukya authority at Vatapi, modern Badami. His successors expanded the kingdom, with Pulakesin II becoming its most celebrated emperor.
Q151. Who wrote Lords of Earth and Sea: A History of the Chola Empire?
[RRB Group D 2025 — 19 December, Shift 1]
A. Anirudh Kanisetti
B. Romila Thapar
C. Manu S. Pillai
D. Upinder Singh
Answer: A. Anirudh Kanisetti
Explanation: Historian and writer Anirudh Kanisetti authored the work, which examines the rise, warfare, politics and maritime ambitions of the imperial Cholas.
