History of South India MCQ: Sangam Literature, Gangaikonda Cholapuram & Vijayanagara Administration

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

1. Q1.Motupalli was a very important seaport in which kingdom?

   • A.Chola
   • B.Kakatiya✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Pandya
   • D.Hoysala

   Explanation: Motupalli was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom, visited by Italian traveller Marco Polo.

2. Q2.The Meenakshi temple in Madurai was originally built by:

   • A.Cholas
   • B.Pandyas✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Cheras
   • D.Pallavas

   Explanation: Meenakshi temple was originally built by Kulasekara Pandya. It is located in Madurai.

3. Q3.'Kural' is considered as the Bible of Tamil literature. Who wrote it?

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

   Explanation: Kural, also known as 'Muppal', is considered the Bible of Tamil literature and was written by the famous poet Tiruvalluvar.

4. Q4.Which Chinese traveller gives an account of the relationship between China and India during the reign of Chalukyas?

   • A.Hiuen Tsang
   • B.Fa-Hien
   • C.Matwalin✓ Correct Answer
   • D.I-Tsing

   Explanation: Matwalin was a Chinese traveller who has given an account of the relationship between China and India during the reign of Chalukyas.

5. Q5.The city of Nagalapur was founded by which Vijayanagara ruler?

   • A.Harihara I
   • B.Devaraya II
   • C.Krishnadeva Raya✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Achyuta Raya

   Explanation: Krishnadeva Raya established the Nagalapur town in memory of his mother Nagala Devi.

6. Q6.Who is the author of the Tamil grammar book 'Tolkappiyam'?

   • A.Agastya
   • B.Tolkappiyar✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Nakkirar
   • D.Ilango Adigal

   Explanation: Tolkappiyam is the most ancient available text of Tamil literature. Its author Tolkappiyar was one of the 12 disciples of Saint Agastya.

7. Q7.Who authored 'Ramavtaram' or Tamil Ramayanam in the 12th century?

   • A.Kamban✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Tiruvalluvar
   • C.Sattanar
   • D.Ottakuttan

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

8. Q8.Who presided over the Third Sangam held at Madurai?

   • A.Agastya
   • B.Tolkappiyar
   • C.Nakkirar✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Senguttuvan

   Explanation: The Third Sangam was held at Madurai under the patronage of Pandya kings and was presided over by Nakkirar.

9. Q9.Which Pallava ruler assumed the title of 'Mahamall'?

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

   Explanation: Narasimhavarman I (630-668 AD) assumed the title of 'Mahamall'. He defeated the Chalukya king Pulakesin II.

10. Q10.Who composed the humorous book titled 'Mattavilasa Prahasana'?

    • A.Narasimhavarman I
    • B.Mahendravarman I✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Dandin
    • D.Bharavi

    Explanation: Pallava ruler Mahendravarman I (600-630 AD) composed a humour book titled 'Mattavilasa Prahasana'.

11. Q11.Who founded the new capital called 'Gangaikonda Cholapuram'?

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

    Explanation: Rajendra I annexed the whole of Sri Lanka and adopted the title of Gangaikonda. He founded a new capital called Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

12. Q12.Which Chola King defeated the Chera naval army at Kandalloor?

    • A.Rajaraja I✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Rajendra I
    • C.Vijayalaya
    • D.Aditya I

    Explanation: Rajaraja I defeated the Cheras naval army in Kandalloor and then sent an expedition against the Sailendra empire.

13. Q13.In the Chola administration, the 'Samvatsara Variyam' was which committee?

    • A.Garden Committee
    • B.Tank Committee
    • C.Gold Committee
    • D.Annual Committee✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: In the Chola village administration, Samvatsara Variyam was the Annual Committee.

14. Q14.Who wrote the book 'Madura Vijayam' describing the conquest of Madurai?

    • A.Kumara Kampana
    • B.Gangadevi✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Tirumalamba
    • D.Ramabhadramba

    Explanation: Gangadevi, the wife of Kumara Kampana, made a living description of her husband's victory in her book 'Madura Vijayam'.

15. Q15.Harihara and Bukka established the Vijayanagara Empire under the influence of which saint?

    • A.Ramanuja
    • B.Madhvacharya
    • C.Vidyaranya✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Basavanna

    Explanation: Harihara and Bukka reverted to Hinduism and established the empire under the influence of Saint Vidyaranya.

16. Q16.Who laid the foundation of the Tuluva dynasty in Vijayanagara?

    • A.Krishnadeva Raya
    • B.Vira Narasimha✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Narasimha Saluva
    • D.Achyuta Raya

    Explanation: Veer Narsingh (Vira Narasimha) removed the last ruler of the Saluva dynasty and laid the foundation of the Tuluva dynasty.

17. Q17.Which Persian ambassador visited Vijayanagara during the reign of Devaraya II?

    • A.Domingo Paes
    • B.Nicolo Conti
    • C.Abdur Razzaq✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Nuniz

    Explanation: Persian ambassador Abdur Razzaq came to Vijayanagara during the reign of Devaraya II, the most august ruler of the Sangam dynasty.

18. Q18.Which Portuguese traveller visited the Vijayanagara empire during the time of Krishnadeva Raya?

    • A.Vasco da Gama
    • B.Domingo Paes✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Marco Polo
    • D.Ibn Battuta

    Explanation: During the time of Krishnadeva Raya, the Portuguese traveller 'Domingo Paes' travelled to the Vijayanagara empire.

19. Q19.What was 'Shisht' in the context of the Vijayanagara Empire?

    • A.A gold coin
    • B.Military commander
    • C.Land tax✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Religious tax

    Explanation: The tax named 'Shisht' (Rai-rekha) was the main source of state income, which was the land tax.

20. Q20.In the Vijayanagara empire, the Central Department of Revenue was called:

    • A.Athavane✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Nayankara
    • C.Ayangar
    • D.Poligar

    Explanation: The Central Department of Revenue in the Vijayanagara empire was called 'Athavane' (Asthvan or Athvan).