History of South India MCQ: Chalukyas of Vatapi, Chola Administration & the Battle of Takkolam

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

1. Q1.Who held the real power of Vijayanagara during the Battle of Talikota in 1565?

   • A.Sadashiva Raya
   • B.Ramaraya✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Tirumala
   • D.Ali Adil Shah

   Explanation: During the Battle of Talikota, the ruler was Sadashiva Raya, but the real power was in the hands of his minister Ramaraya.

2. Q2.Who wrote the book 'Kitab-i-Nauras' (Book of Nine Rasas)?

   • A.Akbar
   • B.Ibrahim Adil Shah II✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Quli Qutb Shah
   • D.Ali Adil Shah

   Explanation: Ibrahim Adil Shah II, the ruler of Bijapur, wrote the book Kitab-i-Nauras (Book of Nine Rasas) in Dakhani.

3. Q3.Which ancient site in Southern India was called 'Poduke' in the Periplus?

   • A.Kaveripattinam
   • B.Mahabalipuram
   • C.Arikamedu✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Muziris

   Explanation: Arikamedu is an archaeological site in Pondicherry which was called Poduke in the Periplus.

4. Q4.The term 'Yavanapriya' in Sanskrit refers to which item?

   • A.Silk
   • B.Pearl
   • C.Ivory
   • D.Pepper✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Indian black pepper was a favourite of Greeks/Romans, and that is why in Sanskrit it is called 'Yavanapriya' (the favourite of Greeks).

5. Q5.In South Indian history, 'Manigramam' and 'Nandesi' were:

   • A.Village assemblies
   • B.Trade unions/Guilds✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Military units
   • D.Types of taxes

   Explanation: Various trade unions existed in South Indian townships like Manigramam, Nandesi, Valanjiyar, etc. to encourage trade.

6. Q6.What was the capital of the Kadamba dynasty?

   • A.Vatapi
   • B.Kanchi
   • C.Vanavasi✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Talkad

   Explanation: The capital of Kadamba rulers was Vanavasi (Banavasi).

7. Q7.What was the capital of the Chera kingdom?

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

   Explanation: The capital of the state of Chera was Vanchi.

8. Q8.Warangal was the capital of which dynasty?

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

   Explanation: Warangal was the capital of the Kakatiya dynasty.

9. Q9.Who built the Chennakeshava Temple at Belur?

   • A.Vishnuvardhana✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Ballala II
   • C.Narasimha I
   • D.Harihara I

   Explanation: Chennakeshava Temple is located in Belur and was built by Vishnuvardhana, the ruler of the Hoysala dynasty.

10. Q10.The Vitthal Temple at Hampi was built by which ruler?

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

    Explanation: The Vitthal Temple (Hampi) was built by Krishnadeva Raya (1509-29 AD), one of the great rulers of the Tuluva dynasty.

11. Q11.According to Sangam texts, the terms 'Kon', 'Ko', and 'Mannan' were attributed to:

    • A.The King✓ Correct Answer
    • B.The Priest
    • C.The Army Commander
    • D.The Revenue Officer

    Explanation: According to the Sangam text, the terms Kon, Ko and Mannan were attributed to the King.

12. Q12.Which sage is credited with Aryanising South India?

    • A.Vashistha
    • B.Vishwamitra
    • C.Agastya✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Valmiki

    Explanation: Agastya was the sage who is credited to have Aryanised south India. He is also known as the 'Father of Tamil Literature'.

13. Q13.Which Chola king assumed the title of 'Madurai-Kond' after defeating the Madura King?

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

    Explanation: Parantaka-I defeated the Madura King and assumed the title of 'Madurai-Kond'.

14. Q14.Which Chola ruler constructed the artificial lake 'Chola Gangam Ponneri'?

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

    Explanation: Chola Gangam Ponneri was an artificial lake constructed by Chola king Rajendra Chola-I in memory of his victory over rulers of the Ganga river basin.

15. Q15.What was the correct hierarchy of Chola administration divisions from largest to smallest?

    • A.Mandalam - Kottam - Nadu - Kurram✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Nadu - Kurram - Mandalam - Kottam
    • C.Kottam - Mandalam - Nadu - Kurram
    • D.Mandalam - Nadu - Kottam - Kurram

    Explanation: The Chola empire was divided into provinces called 'Mandalam'. A Province was divided in 'Kottam' or 'Valnadu'. The district was called 'Nadu' and the village association was 'Kurram'.

16. Q16.In the Battle of Takkolam (949 AD), the Chola army was defeated by which Rashtrakuta King?

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

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

17. Q17.Which Pallava ruler assumed the title of 'Avanisingh'?

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

    Explanation: Pallava ruler Singhvishnu (Simhavishnu) (575-600 AD) assumed the title of 'Avanisingh'.

18. Q18.Who was the real founder of the Chalukya dynasty of Vatapi?

    • A.Pulakesin I✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Kirtivarman
    • C.Pulakesin II
    • D.Vikramaditya I

    Explanation: Pulakesin-I was the real founder of Vatapi's Chalukya dynasty.

19. Q19.Who was the Chalukya queen known for issuing copper plates and being an excellent poetess?

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

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

20. Q20.According to the text, the 'Vengi River' was the lifeline of which state?

    • A.Chola
    • B.Pandya✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Chera
    • D.Pallava

    Explanation: According to the book, Vengi River was the lifeline of the state of Pandya (originating in Kandan Manikanur near Madurai).