Q.111 The history of the Vakatakas is largely known from inscriptions and texts like the Puranas. They became a major power in which of these regions of India?
(a) Deccan region
(b) Eastern region
(c) Kurukshetra region
(d) Kashmir region
Solution: (a)
The founder of the Vakataka dynasty was Vindhyashakti I. The second Vakataka king was Pravarasena I who seems to have extended the empire southwards into Vidarbha and adjoining areas of the Deccan.
His capital was Kanchanaka (modern Nachna). Pravarasena I cemented an important political alliance by marrying his son, Gautamiputra, to the daughter of the Naga king, Bhavanaga of the Bharashiva family, which was prominent in eastern UP and adjoining areas.
The political gains of this alliance were immense. Pravarasena is mentioned in the Puranas and inscriptions as performing several vajapeya, vajimedha and ashvamedha sacrifices, accompanied by the distribution of lavish gifts. He was the only Vakataka king with the imperial title of samrat.
Q.112 Consider the following matches:
1. Anantavarman: Kerala
2. Jagannatha: Bengal
3. Mahodayapuram: Orissa
4. Lilatilakam: Kangra
Select the correct answer using the codes below.
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None of the above
Solution: (d)
Statement 1: Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva was a ruler of the Eastern Ganga dynasty which ruled southern part of Kalinga.
Statement 2: Literally meaning “Lord of the Universe”, it is a deity worshipped in regional traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism in India and Bangladesh. Correct match is Odisha.
Statement 3: Correct match is Tamil Nadu. The Later Cheras (the Kulasekharas) ruled from Mahodayapuram (now Kodungallur) on the banks of River Periyar and fought numerous wars with their powerful neighbours such as the Cholas and Rashtrakutas.
Statement 4: Lilatilakam is atext in Manipravalam dealingwith grammarandpoeticswrittenin Manipravalam. The correct match would be Kerala.
Q.113 In ancient Southern India, kadaisiyar and adimai were used to refer to
(a) Ordinary ploughmen
(b) Landless labourers, includingslaves
(c) Tax officials
(d) Large landowners
Solution: (b)
Q.114 Which of these were Kingdoms that ruled in the Deccan region of India?
1. Vakatakas
2. Chalukyas
3. Dwamathas
4. Chamangalas
Select the correct answer using the codes below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 2 and 4 only
Solution: (a)
Satavahanas controlled the Deccan for a long time. After their decline, many small kingdoms came up in the Deccan.
The first one among them was that of the Vakatakas, who tried to build a strong state, but they did not last long.
After the Vakatakas came the Chalukyas of Vatapi and Kalyani. Pulakesin was a powerful ruler of the Chalukya dynasty.
The Chalukyas kept fighting with the Rashtrakutas (towards the north) and the Pallavas (towards the south). The Chalukya rule came to an end in 753 A.D. when the Rashtrakutas defeated them
Q.115 Ptolemy, a Greek writer, mentions many important portsin the Deccan. Among them, thegreatest port of the Satavahanas in Western Deccan was
(a) Kalyani
(b) Ganjam
(c) Satakarni
(d) Pulamayi
Solution: (a)
Vashishtaputra Pulamayi extended the Satavahana power up to the mouth of the Krishna river.
He issued coins on which the image of ships was inscribed. They reveal the naval power and maritime trade of the Satavahanas.
Their greatest port was Kalyani on the west Deccan. Gandakasela and Ganjam on the east coast were the other important seaports.
The last great ruler of Satavahanas was Yajna Sri Satakarni
Q.116 The Satavahanas patronized Buddhism and Brahmanism. The evidence of this is clear from the fact that
1. They built several chaityas and viharas.
2. They prohibited Buddhist monks from acquiring land to help in their spiritual pursuit.
3. They persecuted Brahmanism.
4. They patronized the Prakrit language andliterature. Select the correct answer using the codes below.
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Solution: (b)
Statement 1: Vashishtaputra Pulamayi repaired the old Amaravathi stupa. Their architecture in Nagarjunakonda was also notable.
Statement 2: They also made grants of villages and lands to Buddhist monks.
Statement 3: Brahmanism was revived by the Satavahanas along with the performance of asvamedha and rajasuya sacrifices.
Statement 4: Hala’s Sattasai is an excellent piece of Prakrit literature.
Q.117 The earliest inscriptions recording royal land grants were issued during
1. Guptas
2. Satvahanas
3. Pallavas
4. Hoysalas
Solution: (b)
Learning: Inearly India, land possessed great value andthe giftofanestate was amarkerof status. While the earliest inscriptions recording royal land grants were issued during Satavahana rule, the practice truly grew in scope from the fourth century CE.
By the 5th-6th centuries, ruling dynasties across the subcontinent, as well as their subordinates and feudatories were all engaged in making suchgrants.
Land grant charters were usually engraved on sheets of hammered copper. They are described as tamrapatta, a ‘plate of copper’ or tamrashasana, ‘an order in copper’.
Q.118 The Chola ruler Karikala was known for
1. Allying with the Cheras and the Pandays to create the “Great Southern Empire”
2. Getting the Grand Anicut constructed which is still in use as one of the oldest water structures in the world Which of the above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) None
Solution: (b)
Statement 1: He was the most important ruler of this kingdom. According to the Porunararruppaṭai, Karikala Chola fought a great Battle of Venni in which both Pandyan and Cheran kings suffered a defeat.
Statement 2: The Grand Anicut, also known as the Kallanai was built by Karikala and is considered one of the oldest water-diversion or water-regulator structures in the world which is still in use
Karikala has been credited with many welfare activities. He got may canals dug so that water from the river Cauvery could be used for irrigation purposes.
Karikala patronised works of literature and art. He was a follower of the Vedic religion
Q.119 In Medieval India, Mahamandaleshvara was a term often used for
(a) Samantas who gained power and wealth to overpowered their Lords
(b) Kings who undertook an overseas expedition
(c) Priests who performed the most Ashvamedha sacrifices
(d) Patrons of temples with several deities
Solution: (a)
Q.120 Which of these justify the robust and benevolent system of administration that Cholas had?
1. Chola kings undertook royal tours to increase the efficiency of the administration.
2. All legal professions were exempt from tax liabilities.
3. All lands were carefully surveyed and classified for assessment of revenue.
4. During the hard times, there were remission of taxes. Select the correct answer using the codes below.
(a) 1 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 4 only
Solution: (b)
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