Medieval History Compilation

Consider the following pairs regarding category of lands during Chola Empire.

1. 1. Vellanvagai: land gifted to Brahmanas

2. 2. Shalabhoga: land of peasant proprietors

3. 3. Tirunamattukkani: land gifted to temples

4. 4. Pallichchhandam: land donated to Jaina institutions

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

• Only one

• Only two

• Only three

• All four

Answer explanation

1. Solution: b)

    

   3 and 4 are correctly matched.

    

   Chola inscriptions mention several categories of land:

   • Vellanvagai land of non-Brahmana peasant proprietors

   • Brahmadeya land gifted to Brahmanas

   • Shalabhoga land for the maintenance of a school

   • devadana, tirunamattukkani land gifted to temples

   • pallichchhandam land donated to Jaina institutions

The term Muvendar referred to the chiefs of

1. 1. Cholas

2. 2. Cheras

3. 3. Pandyas

4. 4. Pallavas

Select the correct answer code:

• 1, 2

• 3, 4

• 1, 2, 3

• 2, 3, 4

Answer explanation

c)

 

The term Muvendar refers to a Tamil word meaning three chiefs, used for the heads of three ruling families,

• the Cholas,

• Cheras, and

• Pandyas,

who became powerful in south India around 2300 years ago.

Which of the following sites used to be an important port of early Cholas?

• Mangrol

• Puhar

• Korkai

• Sopara

Answer explanation

b)

 

A set of Ashokan rock edicts were found at Sopara suggests that it was an important port in Maurya times; however, it has not been properly explored.

The premier Chola port was Puhar (also known as Kaveri poompattinam), the major Pandya port was Korkai, while Tondi and Muchiri were the important ports in the Chera kingdom.

With reference to the administration of Palas and Pratihars, the term ‘Uparika’ refers to:

• • Head of a bhukti or province

• • Head of judicial system

• • Chief revenue officer

• • Military chief

Answer explanation

1. a)

    

   • The Pala empire’s lands that were managed directly were divided into many provinces known as Bhuktis and governed by officials known as Uparika.

   • Uparika collected the levy and preserved the province’s law and order.

   • These Bhuktis (Provinces) were further segmented into Vishaya (Divisions) and Mandala (Districts).

Which of the following three kingdoms (tripartite) were involved in struggle for Kannauj?

• Gurjara-Pratihara, Rashtrakuta, and Palas
• Maurya, Gupta, and Harsha
• Chola, Chera, and Pandya
• Satavahana, Kushan, and Vakataka

Answer explanation

1. The Tripartite Struggle for control of northern India took place in the ninth century. The struggle was between the Pratihara Empire, the Pala Empire and the Rashtrakuta Empire. Towards the end of the successor of Nagabhata II of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, successfully attacked Kannauj and established control there.

Consider the following statements regarding Chola administration.

1. 1. They levied duties on ceremonial occasions like marriages.

2. 2. Trade was exempted from tolls and customs to promote efficiency trade unlike other South Indian Kingdoms.

3. 3. Forests, mines and ports were taxed during the Chola administration to generate revenue.

How many of the above statements are correct?

• None of the statements are correct
• Only one statement is correct

• Only two statements are correct

• All statements are correct

Answer explanation

1. Statement 2 is incorrect.

    

   Besides land revenue, there were tolls and customs on goods taken from one place to another, various kinds of professional taxes, dues levied on ceremonial occasions like marriages and judicial fines.

   Taxes on mines, ports, forests and salt pans were collected. Professional tax and house tax were also collected.

Consider the following statements regarding Pandya kingdom.

1. 1. The Pandyas occupied the delta of the Kaveri River and the adjoining region.

2. 2. Under the Pandyas, the capital Madurai and port city Korkai were great centres of trade and commerce.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

• Only 1
• Only 2
• Both 1 and 2
• Neither 1 nor 2

Answer explanation

The Cholas occupied the delta of the Kaveri River and the adjoining region. Under the Pandyas, the capital Madurai and port city Korkai were great centres of trade and commerce.

Consider the following statements regarding Pallavas.

1. 1. The early Pallava rulers from 250 A.D. to 350 A.D. and issued their charters in Prakrit.

2. 2. The Mandagappattu inscription hails Narasimhavarman I as Vichitrachitta.

3. 3. Mahendravarman I was also known as Mamalla, which means ‘great wrestler’.

4. 4. The Shore temple at Mamallapuram and the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram were built during the reign of Narasimhavarman II.

How many of the above statements are correct?

• Only one

• Only two

• Only three

• All four

Answer explanation

Statement 1 and 4 are correct.

 

Pallavas

• The early Pallava rulers from 250 A.D. to 350 A.D. issued their charters in

• The second line of Pallava rulers who ruled between 350 A.D. and 550 A.D. issued their charters in Sanskrit.

 

Mahendravarman I (600 – 630 A.D.)

• He was a great builder of cave temples. The Mandagappattu inscription hails him as Vichitrachitta.

• Narasimhavarman I (630-668 A.D.)

• Narasimhavarman I was also known as Mamalla, which means ‘great wrestler’.

 

Narasimhavarman II or Rajasimha (695 -722 A.D.)

• The Shore temple at Mamallapuram and the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram were built in his reign.

Consider the following statements regarding Chandellas.

1. 1. The Chandella dynasty of Bundelkhand was one of the 36 Rajput clans

2. 2. Vidhydhara was a great ruler of this dynasty and he took the title of Maharajadhiraja.

3. 3. Dhanga built Gwalior and Kalinjar forts.

How many of the above statements are correct?

• Only one

• Only two

• All three

• None

Answer explanation

1. The Chandellas:

   • They ruled the eastern part of Madhya Pradesh. (Bundelkhand region)

   • Capital city- Mohoba, Khajuraho

   • The Chandella dynasty of Bundelkhand was one of the 36 Rajput clans

   • Dhanga was a great ruler of this dynasty. He took the title of Maharajadhiraja. He is well known for his wars against Mahmud of Ghazni.

   • Vidhydhara also resisted attacks of Muhammad Ghazni. He built Gwalior and Kalinjar forts.

The ritual performed by Brahmanas to take rebirth as Kshatriya was known as -

• Maha Samanta

• Kadamai

• Devadana

• Hiranya Garbha