Q130. The Sangam expression “Muvendar” refers to:
[SSC MTS 2022 — Held 13 June 2023, Shift 1]
A. Three poets
B. Three crowned chiefs or kings
C. Three merchant guilds
D. Three temple committees
Answer: B. Three crowned chiefs or kings
Explanation: Muvendar means the three crowned rulers of Tamilakam—the Chera, Chola and Pandya kings who dominate political descriptions in Sangam literature.
Q129. The Pandya capital associated with the Sangam tradition was:
[SSC MTS 2022 — Held 9 May 2023, Shift 2]
A. Madurai
B. Kanchi
C. Vanji
D. Uraiyur
Answer: A. Madurai
Explanation: Madurai was the principal Pandya capital and is traditionally associated with the celebrated Tamil Sangam assemblies and a flourishing literary culture.
Q128. Who constructed the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram?
[SSC MTS 2023 — 14 June, Shift 2]
A. Rajaraja I
B. Rajaraja II
C. Rajendra I
D. Kulottunga I
Answer: B. Rajaraja II
Explanation: Rajaraja II commissioned the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. It is one of UNESCO’s Great Living Chola Temples and displays highly refined Chola craftsmanship.
Q127. Who founded the imperial Chola dynasty in the ninth century CE?
[SSC CHSL 2023 — 3 August, Shift 2]
A. Vijayalaya
B. Rajaraja I
C. Rajendra I
D. Karikala
Answer: A. Vijayalaya
Explanation: Vijayalaya captured Thanjavur around the mid-ninth century and established the dynasty that later developed into the powerful imperial Chola state.
Q126. “Sabha” and “Ur” were forms of village assemblies associated with which dynasty?
[SSC CGL 2023 — 20 July, Shift 1]
A. Chola
B. Maurya
C. Gupta
D. Kushana
Answer: A. Chola
Explanation: Ur generally represented ordinary villages, while Sabha or Mahasabha was especially associated with Brahmadeya settlements dominated by Brahmin landholders.
Q125. In Chola administration, the assembly of villages inhabited predominantly by Brahmins was called:
[SSC CGL 2023 — 14 July, Shift 1]
A. Ur
B. Sabha
C. Nagaram
D. Nadu
Answer: B. Sabha
Explanation: Sabha or Mahasabha administered Brahmadeya villages. Ur represented ordinary settlements, whereas Nagaram was closely connected with merchants and urban-commercial groups.
Q124. Rajarajeshwara Temple at Thanjavur was constructed by rulers of which dynasty?
[SSC CHSL 2023 — 2 August, Shift 2]
A. Chola
B. Pallava
C. Pandya
D. Chalukya
Answer: A. Chola
Explanation: Rajarajeshwara, better known as Brihadisvara, was commissioned by Rajaraja Chola I and became an outstanding monument of Chola royal temple architecture.
Q123. Which Chola ruler’s army marched north to the Ganga during the eleventh century?
[SSC CHSL 2023 — 4 August, Shift 4]
A. Vijayalaya
B. Rajendra I
C. Aditya I
D. Uttama Chola
Answer: B. Rajendra I
Explanation: Rajendra I conducted a celebrated northern expedition reaching the Ganga region and commemorated it through his title Gangaikonda and new imperial capital.
Q122. Which dynasty launched an expedition toward Southeast Asia partly in connection with control of maritime trade routes to China?
[SSC CHSL 2023 — 7 August, Shift 2]
A. Chola
B. Pala
C. Gupta
D. Sunga
Answer: A. Chola
Explanation: Rajendra Chola I attacked Srivijayan territories in Southeast Asia, demonstrating the reach of Chola naval power and its concern with important maritime commercial networks.
Q121. Who built the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur?
[SSC MTS 2023 — 14 September, Shift 2]
A. Rajaraja I
B. Rajendra II
C. Vijayalaya
D. Parantaka II
Answer: A. Rajaraja I
Explanation: Rajaraja I commissioned Brihadisvara as a royal temple and institutional centre, demonstrating the wealth, religious patronage and architectural capacity of the Chola Empire.
