Early Medieval Period MCQ: Chola Bronzes, Nalanda's Destruction & the Tripartite Struggle

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Which Chola bronze sculpture is considered one of the world's greatest iconographical creations?

   • A.Mahishasuramardini
   • B.Nataraja✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Somaskanda
   • D.Rama

   Explanation: The bronze icons of Nataraja (Shiva) cast during the Chola period are considered the world's greatest iconographical creations.

2. Q2.Which port was known as 'Poduke' in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea?

   • A.Cochin
   • B.Arikamedu✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kaveripattinam
   • D.Tamralipti

   Explanation: Arikamedu is an archaeological site in Pondicherry. In Periplus, it was called Poduke. It was a center of Roman trade.

3. Q3.The 'Advaita' philosophy was propagated by:

   • A.Ramanujacharya
   • B.Shankaracharya✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Vallabhacharya
   • D.Madhavacharya

   Explanation: Shankaracharya (8th century) propagated pure monism or 'Advaita' (Non-dualism).

4. Q4.Who propounded the 'Shuddha Advaita' (Pure Non-dualism) philosophy?

   • A.Ramananda
   • B.Vallabhacharya✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Chaitanya
   • D.Nimbarka

   Explanation: Shuddha Advaita is the philosophy propounded by Shri Vallabhacharya, the founder of the Vallabha sect.

5. Q5.Who destroyed the Nalanda University in the beginning of the 12th century?

   • A.Mahmud Ghazni
   • B.Muhammad Ghori
   • C.Bakhtiyar Khilji✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Qutbuddin Aibak

   Explanation: At the beginning of the 12th century, the Muslim invader Bakhtiyar Khilji sacked the Nalanda University.

6. Q6.Who were the 'Polygars' of South India?

   • A.Ordinary Zamindars
   • B.Rich Traders
   • C.Territorial Administrative and Military Governors✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Priests

   Explanation: Polygar was the feudal title of a class of administrative and military governors appointed by Nayaka rulers of South India.

7. Q7.Which three dynasties were engaged in the 'Tripartite Struggle' for Kannauj?

   • A.Chola, Pala, Rashtrakuta
   • B.Pala, Gurjara-Pratihara, Rashtrakuta✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Chalukya, Pallava, Pandya
   • D.Pala, Pratihara, Chola

   Explanation: Pala, Gurjara-Pratihara, and Rashtrakuta dynasties engaged in a tripartite struggle to control Kannauj.

8. Q8.The capital of the Chalukyas of Vatapi was:

   • A.Halebid
   • B.Badami✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kanchipuram
   • D.Vengi

   Explanation: At present, the ancient city of Vatapi is known as Badami. It was the capital of Chalukyas.

9. Q9.Who was the 'Poet-Laureate' of Shah Jahan's reign?

   • A.Kaleem✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Kashi
   • C.Qudsi
   • D.Munir

   Explanation: Poet Kaleem (Abu Jalih) became the Poet-Laureate of the court of Shah Jahan.

10. Q10.Who founded the independent state of Jaunpur?

    • A.Firoz Shah Tughluq
    • B.Malik Sarwar Khwaja Jahan✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ibrahim Sharqi
    • D.Hussain Shah Sharqi

    Explanation: The Jaunpur Sultanate was founded in 1394 by Khwaja-i-Jahan Malik Sarwar, a former wazir of Sultan Nasiruddin Muhammad Shah IV Tughluq.

11. Q11.In the Chola village administration, the committee 'Thotta Variyam' was responsible for:

    • A.Tank/Water supply
    • B.Annual Supervision
    • C.Garden/Horticulture✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Gold/Finance

    Explanation: In the Chola administration, 'Thotta Variyam' looked after the Horticulture Board (Garden administration), while Eri Variyam was in charge of tanks.

12. Q12.Which Chola ruler constructed the artificial lake 'Chola Gangam'?

    • A.Rajaraja I
    • B.Rajendra I✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Kulottunga I
    • D.Parantaka I

    Explanation: Rajendra I constructed the artificial lake 'Chola Gangam Ponneri' in memory of his victory over rulers of the Ganga river basin.

13. Q13.In the Battle of Takkolam (949 AD), the Chola army was defeated by which Rashtrakuta King?

    • A.Krishna I
    • B.Dhruva
    • C.Govinda III
    • D.Krishna III✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Battle of Takkolam was fought in 949 AD between Chola king Parantaka I's son Rajaditya and Rashtrakuta King Krishna III, resulting in the defeat of the Cholas.

14. Q14.Which Pallava ruler assumed the title of 'Mahamalla'?

    • A.Mahendravarman I
    • B.Narasimhavarman I✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Simhavishnu
    • D.Nandivarman II

    Explanation: Narasimhavarman I (630-668 AD) was a famous Pallava king who assumed the title of 'Mahamalla' (Great Wrestler).

15. Q15.Which Chalukya queen issued copper plates in her name and was an excellent poetess?

    • A.Vijaya Bhattarika✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Prabhavati Gupta
    • C.Didda
    • D.Kumardevi

    Explanation: Vijaya Bhattarika, the Queen of Chandraditya (Chalukya dynasty), issued two copper plates by her name and was an excellent poetess.

16. Q16.Who authored 'Ramavtaram' (Tamil Ramayanam) in the 12th century?

    • A.Tolkappiyar
    • B.Kamban✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Tiruvalluvar
    • D.Ilango Adigal

    Explanation: 'Ramavtaram' or Tamil Ramayanam was authored by Kamban in the 12th century.

17. Q17.According to Sangam texts, the terms 'Kon', 'Ko', and 'Mannan' were attributed to:

    • A.Priests
    • B.Merchants
    • C.King✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Soldiers

    Explanation: In Sangam texts, the terms Kon, Ko, and Mannan were attributed to the King.

18. Q18.Which town was known as a major center of cotton trade during the Sangam Era?

    • A.Madurai
    • B.Uraiyur✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Puhar
    • D.Kaveripattinam

    Explanation: Uraiyur was a significant town during the Sangam Era, located on the banks of the Cauvery River, and was a major center of cotton.

19. Q19.According to the text, which river was the lifeline of the Pandya state?

    • A.Kaveri
    • B.Vengi✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Tungabhadra
    • D.Krishna

    Explanation: According to the provided text, the Vengi River was the lifeline of the state of Pandya.

20. Q20.Who built the famous Sun Temple at Konark in the 13th century?

    • A.Anantavarman
    • B.Narasimhadeva I✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Bhimdev I
    • D.Rajaraja I

    Explanation: The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha was built by King Narasimhadeva I in the 13th century.