History of South India MCQ: Mahabalipuram's Ratha Temples, Angkor Wat & the Battle of Talikota

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

1. Q1.Who was the founder of the Kadamba dynasty?

   • A.Mayurasharman✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Kakusthavarman
   • C.Santivarman
   • D.Mrigesavarman

   Explanation: Kadamba dynasty was founded by Mayurasharman. Their capital was Vanavasi.

2. Q2.Which South Indian dynasty sent an ambassador to Rome in 26 B.C.?

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

   Explanation: Pandya king of South India sent an ambassador to the kingdom of Rome in 26 B.C.

3. Q3.The Battle of Talikota (1565 AD) was actually fought between which two villages?

   • A.Rakshasi and Tangadi✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Mudgal and Raichur
   • C.Hampi and Hospet
   • D.Badami and Aihole

   Explanation: According to Farista, this battle was fought in Talikota but the actual area of war was situated between two villages named Rakshasi and Tangadi.

4. Q4.Who laid the foundation of the Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara?

   • A.Ramaraya
   • B.Tirumala✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Ranga I
   • D.Venkata II

   Explanation: Tirumala (Thirumal) after dethroning Sadashiva in Penukonda sat on the throne and laid the foundation of Aravidu Dynasty (1570-1650 AD).

5. Q5.Which Vijayanagara ruler was a contemporary of King Raja Vodiyar of Mysore?

   • A.Krishnadeva Raya
   • B.Achyuta Raya
   • C.Venkata II✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Sriranga III

   Explanation: Venkata II was contemporary of King Vodiyar, who established the kingdom of Mysore in 1612.

6. Q6.The famous Hoysaleswara temple at Halebid was constructed by architect Kedroz during the reign of:

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

   Explanation: During the reign of Hoysala ruler Narasimha I, the architect Kedroz constructed the Hoysaleswara temple.

7. Q7.Who built the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia?

   • A.Suryavarman II✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Jayavarman VII
   • C.Indravarman
   • D.Yasovarman

   Explanation: Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Kampuchea (Cambodia) built by Khmer King Suryavarman-II in the beginning of 12th Century.

8. Q8.Where is the famous Borobudur stupa located?

   • A.Sumatra
   • B.Java✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Bali
   • D.Cambodia

   Explanation: Borobudur's famous stupa is located on the Java island of Indonesia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

9. Q9.Who built the Kailasa temple of Ellora?

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

   Explanation: Kailasa temple of Ellora is an example of rock-cut architecture. Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna-I built this temple.

10. Q10.Rashtrakuta King Amoghavarsha I was a disciple of which Jain Acharya?

    • A.Bhadrabahu
    • B.Jinasena✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Hemchandra
    • D.Sthulabhadra

    Explanation: King Amoghavarsha-I was the disciple of the Jain Acharya Jinasena, the author of Adipurana.

11. Q11.Which is the smallest Rath among the monolithic temples at Mahabalipuram?

    • A.Dharmaraja Rath
    • B.Bhima Rath
    • C.Arjuna Rath
    • D.Draupadi Rath✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Draupadi Rath is the smallest rath in monolithic temples constructed in Mamallan style in Pallava period.

12. Q12.Who built the Seven Ratha Temple at Mahabalipuram?

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

    Explanation: Seven Ratha Temple was built by Narasimhavarman I (Mahamalla), adorned with seven rock-cut pagodas.

13. Q13.The Korangnath Temple of Srinivasanallur was built during the period of which Chola ruler?

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

    Explanation: The Korangnath Temple of Srinivasanallur was built during the period of Chola ruler Parantaka-I.

14. Q14.Uraiyur, a significant town during the Sangam Era, was a major centre for:

    • A.Spices
    • B.Cotton✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Horses
    • D.Gold

    Explanation: Uraiyur was a very significant town during Sangam Era, located on the bank of Cauvery. It was the major centre of cotton.

15. Q15.The Matangesvara temple at Khajuraho is dedicated to:

    • A.Vishnu
    • B.Shiva✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Surya
    • D.Parvati

    Explanation: Matangesvara temple of Khajuraho is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built during King Dhanga's empire.

16. Q16.Which Vijayanagara ruler is mentioned by the Mughal emperor Babur in his autobiography as the most powerful ruler of India?

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

    Explanation: Babur in his autobiography 'Baburnama' described Krishnadeva Raya as the most powerful ruler of India.

17. Q17.Who among the following killed Ramaraya with his own hand in the Battle of Talikota?

    • A.Ali Adil Shah
    • B.Hussain Nizam Shah✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ibrahim Qutb Shah
    • D.Barid Shah

    Explanation: In the Battle of Talikota (1565 AD), Hussain Nizam Shah killed Ramaraya with his own hand.

18. Q18.Which three poets are famous as the 'Kavitrayi' (Trinity of Poets) of Telugu literature?

    • A.Nannaya, Tikkana, Yerrana✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Pampa, Ponna, Ranna
    • C.Kamban, Ottakuttan, Pugalendi
    • D.Tenali Rama, Peddana, Dhurjati

    Explanation: Nannaya, Tikkana, and Yerrana (Yerrapragada) translated the Mahabharata into Telugu and are famous as the 'Kavitrayi' of Telugu literature.

19. Q19.Who was the ruler of Bijapur known as 'Jagadguru Badshah'?

    • A.Ali Adil Shah I
    • B.Yusuf Adil Shah
    • C.Ibrahim Adil Shah II✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Muhammad Adil Shah

    Explanation: Ibrahim Adil Shah II was tolerant of other religions and was known as 'Jagadguru Badshah'. He founded the township of Navraspur.

20. Q20.Which Chola ruler married his daughter to the Sinhala prince Virapperumal?

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

    Explanation: Kulottunga I did not show incivility towards the independent Sinhala Island and married his daughter to the Sinhala prince Virapperumal.