History of South India MCQ: Chola Village Administration, Elephanta Caves & the First Chola Navy

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

1. Q1.In the Chola administration, the assembly of the 'Nadu' (district) was called:

   • A.Sabha
   • B.Ur
   • C.Nattar✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Nagaram

   Explanation: The district was called 'Nadu' and the assembly of Nadu was called 'Nattar'.

2. Q2.Which committee in the Chola village administration was in charge of tanks and water supply?

   • A.Thotta Variyam
   • B.Pan Variyam
   • C.Eri Variyam✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Pon Variyam

   Explanation: Eri Variyam was in charge of tanks (Lakes) and water supply in the Chola village administration.

3. Q3.Which Pallava ruler assumed the titles of 'Lokaditya', 'Ekamall', and 'Rananjaya'?

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

   Explanation: Pallava ruler Parameshvaravarman I (670-700 AD) assumed titles like Lokaditya, Ekamall, Rananjaya, Atyantkam, etc.

4. Q4.The Aihole inscription provides the saga of achievements of which Chalukya ruler?

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

   Explanation: Aihole inscription provides the saga of achievements of Pulakesin II (610-642 AD), the most powerful ruler of Chalukyas.

5. Q5.The Elephanta caves are believed to have been built by which dynasty?

   • A.Chalukyas
   • B.Rashtrakutas✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Pallavas
   • D.Cholas

   Explanation: Elephanta caves are believed to have been built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty. The famous Trinity Shiva statue is found here.

6. Q6.Which temple is also known as the 'Black Pagoda'?

   • A.Jagannath Temple
   • B.Lingaraja Temple
   • C.Konark Sun Temple✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Rajarani Temple

   Explanation: The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, built by King Narasimhadeva I, is also called the Black Pagoda.

7. Q7.The 'Gopurams' (elegant gateways) are a characteristic feature of which temple architecture style?

   • A.Nagara
   • B.Dravida✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Vesara
   • D.Kalinga

   Explanation: The mighty gateways found at the temples of South India, called Gopurams, show great craftsmanship of Dravidian architecture.

8. Q8.Who built the famous Gomateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola?

   • A.Chamundraya✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Krishan-I
   • C.Kumarpala
   • D.Tejpala

   Explanation: The Gomateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola was built by Chamundraya. It represents Bahubali.

9. Q9.The Teli Temple of Gwalior is a unique blend of which architectural styles?

   • A.Dravidian Shikhar and Nagara ornamentation✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Nagara Shikhar and Dravidian ornamentation
   • C.Vesara Shikhar and Nagara ornamentation
   • D.Pure Dravidian style

   Explanation: The Teli Temple of Gwalior has a Shikhar (pinnacle) in Dravidian style, whereas the ornamentation is done in the Nagara style.

10. Q10.Which place is famous for 77 Jain temples with sky-high spires, located near Datia?

    • A.Pavapuri
    • B.Sonagiri✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Shravanabelagola
    • D.Palitana

    Explanation: Sonagiri is located 15km away from Datia (M.P) and is popular among Digamber Jain devotees. There are 77 Jain temples here.

11. Q11.The rulers of which dynasty have been called 'Shriparvatiya' in Puranas?

    • A.Vakatakas
    • B.Ikshvakus✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Sakas
    • D.Kharavelas

    Explanation: Rulers of the Ikshvaku dynasty are called 'Shriparvatiya' in Puranas. They were initially feudatories of Satavahanas.

12. Q12.Satavahana coins were made of lead, copper, bronze, and silver, but NOT:

    • A.Gold✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Lead
    • C.Potin
    • D.Silver

    Explanation: The Satavahanas produced coins in Lead, Copper, Bronze and Silver, but not in Gold.

13. Q13.The Hathigumpha inscription is the main source of information about which king?

    • A.Ashoka
    • B.Kharavela✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Gautamiputra Satakarni
    • D.Samudragupta

    Explanation: The Hathigumpha inscription from Udayagiri (Odisha) is the main source of information about the Kalinga ruler Kharavela.

14. Q14.Which ancient site was called 'Poduke' in Periplus and yielded Roman objects like Amphorae jars?

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

    Explanation: Arikamedu (Pondicherry) was called Poduke. Roman objects like Amphorae jars and an intaglio of Augustus Caesar were found here.

15. Q15.In which of the following rock-cut caves is the eleven-headed Bodhisattva image depicted?

    • A.Ajanta
    • B.Ellora
    • C.Kanheri✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Karle

    Explanation: Kanheri caves near Mumbai have an image of Avlokiteshwar, the most distinctive figure having four arms and eleven mouths (heads).

16. Q16.Sayan, a noted commentator of Vedas, was associated with the founders of which empire?

    • A.Chola
    • B.Vijayanagara✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Bahmani
    • D.Hoysala

    Explanation: Harihara and Bukka, the founders of Vijayanagara, were inspired by their spiritual teacher Vidyaranya and Sayan, a noted commentator of Vedas.

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

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

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

18. Q18.Who founded the Saluva dynasty of Vijayanagara?

    • A.Narasimha Saluva✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Vira Narasimha
    • C.Tirumala
    • D.Sadashiva

    Explanation: Samant Narsingh Saluva (Narasimha Saluva) of Chandragiri established the Saluva Dynasty in 1485 AD.

19. Q19.The Sun Temple of Modhera is located in which state?

    • A.Odisha
    • B.Gujarat✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Karnataka
    • D.Madhya Pradesh

    Explanation: The Sun Temple of Modhera is located in Gujarat. It was constructed by King Bhimdev-I of the Solanki dynasty.

20. Q20.Which Chola King created the first Naval Army?

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

    Explanation: Rajaraja I was the first Chola king who created a Naval Army to expand the empire.