Q150. Consider the following statements about Chola-period metal images:
- They are celebrated for high aesthetic and technical quality.
- Their iconography broadly corresponds with contemporary stone images.
Which statement(s) is/are correct?
[UPSC CDS II 2024]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Chola bronzes combined sophisticated casting techniques with refined iconography. Many bronze forms closely followed the iconographic conventions also visible in contemporary temple sculpture.
Q149. Sangam poets predominantly composed their works in:
[SSC MTS 2024 — 5 November, Shift 1]
A. Tamil
B. Sanskrit
C. Kannada
D. Pali
Answer: A. Tamil
Explanation: Sangam literature represents one of the earliest and richest bodies of Tamil literature and is a major source for reconstructing early South Indian history.
Q148. Consider the statements:
- Thanjavur was a Chola capital.
- Vikrama Chola had links to both Chola and Eastern Chalukya lineage.
- Rajendra I bore the title Gangaikonda Chola.
Which are correct?
[SSC MTS 2024 — 13 November, Shift 2]
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Thanjavur was an imperial Chola centre, later Cholas had Eastern Chalukya dynastic connections, and Rajendra I adopted the celebrated title Gangaikonda Chola.
Q147. Mattavilasa Prahasana was written by a ruler of which dynasty?
[SSC CGL 2024 — 17 September, Shift 3]
A. Chola
B. Pallava
C. Pandya
D. Chera
Answer: B. Pallava
Explanation: The Sanskrit farce Mattavilasa Prahasana is attributed to Mahendravarman I, the Pallava ruler known for literary talent and patronage of early rock-cut architecture.
Q146. Mahendravarman I belonged to which dynasty?
[SSC CGL 2024 — 9 September, Shift 1]
A. Chalukya
B. Chola
C. Pallava
D. Pandya
Answer: C. Pallava
Explanation: Mahendravarman I was an important seventh-century Pallava ruler of Kanchipuram who fought Pulakesin II and encouraged literature, music and rock-cut temple architecture.
Q145. Ravikirti, composer of the famous Aihole inscription, was the court poet of:
[SSC MTS 2024 — 18 October, Shift 2]
A. Rajaraja I
B. Pulakesin II
C. Narasimhavarman I
D. Harsha
Answer: B. Pulakesin II
Explanation: Ravikirti composed the Aihole inscription praising Pulakesin II’s victories. It is a major historical source for the political career of the Badami Chalukya king.
Q144. Consider the statements:
- Vijayalaya founded the line known as the imperial Cholas.
- Gurjara-Pratiharas were an important northern Indian dynasty.
- Palas ruled western India.
Which are correct?
[SSC MTS 2024 — 12 November, Shift 1]
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1 and 3 only
Answer: B. 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Vijayalaya founded imperial Chola power and Gurjara-Pratiharas dominated parts of northern India. The Palas, however, ruled primarily Bengal and Bihar in eastern India.
Q143. Which inscription gives detailed information about the organization of Chola village assemblies?
[SSC CHSL 2024 — 8 July, Shift 3]
A. Junagadh inscription
B. Uttaramerur inscription
C. Hathigumpha inscription
D. Nasik inscription
Answer: B. Uttaramerur inscription
Explanation: Uttaramerur inscriptions describe qualifications, disqualifications, committee selection and administrative responsibilities within village assemblies, making them crucial evidence for Chola local government.
Q142. Who constructed the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur?
[SSC CHSL 2024 — 4 July, Shift 2]
A. Rajaraja I
B. Rajendra I
C. Narasimhavarman I
D. Pulakesin II
Answer: A. Rajaraja I
Explanation: Rajaraja Chola I built the monumental Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, one of the supreme achievements of Chola architecture and imperial temple patronage.
Q141. The Brihadisvara Temple is situated at:
[SSC CHSL 2024 — 5 July, Shift 1]
A. Madurai
B. Thanjavur
C. Kanchipuram
D. Badami
Answer: B. Thanjavur
Explanation: The great Brihadisvara Temple dominates the historic city of Thanjavur, an important capital and cultural centre of the imperial Cholas.
