Kingdoms in South India
Short Questions
1. Who was the founder of the Chola dynasty mentioned in Sangham literature?
Answer: Karikala was the founder mentioned in Sangham literature.
2. What was the capital of the Pallava dynasty?
Answer: Kanchi was the capital of the Pallava dynasty.
3. Which Vakataka king composed Setubandha?
Answer: Pravarasena II composed Setubandha.
4. What title did Pulakeshi II take after his southern conquests?
Answer: Pulakeshi II took the title Parameshwara.
5. Which Rashtrakuta king built the Kailasa temple at Ellora?
Answer: Krishna I built the Kailasa temple at Ellora.
6. What was the name of the Chola administrative council?
Answer: The Chola administrative council was called Udankuttam.
7. Which dynasty’s coins featured a tiger as the royal emblem?
Answer: The Chola dynasty’s coins featured a tiger.
8. Who was the founder of the Shilahara dynasty?
Answer: Jimutvahan was the founder of the Shilahara dynasty.
9. Which Chalukya king defeated Harshavardhan?
Answer: Pulakeshi II defeated Harshavardhan.
10. What was the capital of the Gond dynasty under Khandkya Ballal Singh?
Answer: Ballarpur was the capital under Khandkya Ballal Singh.
11. Which architectural style is characterized by reducing storeys in Shikhara?
Answer: The Dravida style is characterized by reducing storeys in Shikhara.
12. Who wrote the Sanskrit play Mattavilasa?
Answer: Mahendravarman wrote the Sanskrit play Mattavilasa.
13. Which Yadava king established Devgiri as the capital?
Answer: Bhillam V established Devgiri as the capital.
14. What was the name of the village council in South Indian administration?
Answer: The village council was called Gramasabha.
15. Which Vakataka king performed four Ashwamedha sacrifices?
Answer: Pravarasena I performed four Ashwamedha sacrifices.
Long Questions
1. Describe the contributions of the Chola dynasty to South Indian history.
Answer: The Chola dynasty, originating in Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli, established Cholamandala and dominated South India under kings like Karikala, who united smaller kingdoms. They excelled in trade, producing high-quality textiles, and their administrative system, with Udankuttam and Mandalam, was highly efficient. Their bronze sculptures, like the Nataraj Shiva, and contributions to Sangham literature highlight their cultural significance.
2. How did the Vakataka dynasty expand its influence in South India?
Answer: The Vakatakas, founded by Vindhyashakti, capitalized on the declining Satavahana power to establish their rule. Pravarasena I expanded the empire from Malwa to Kolhapur, earning the title Samrat through Ashwamedha sacrifices. Their cultural contributions include Ajanta cave excavations and literary works like Setubandha and Kalidasa’s Meghadoota.
3. What were the key achievements of Pulakeshi II of the Chalukya dynasty?
Answer: Pulakeshi II, the greatest Chalukya king, expanded the empire from Narmada to Kaveri through his Digvijaya, defeating dynasties like the Kadambas and Rashtrakutas. He resisted Harshavardhan’s southern conquest, earning the title Parameshwara, and his fame reached Iran, with an ambassador from Khosrow Parvez visiting his court. His reign strengthened Chalukya dominance, as described in poet Ravikirti’s eulogy.
4. Explain the administrative system of the Chola dynasty.
Answer: The Chola administrative system was highly organized, with the Udankuttam council overseeing governance. The kingdom was divided into Mandalam (provinces) led by royal family members, supported by officers like Vishayapati and Rashtrika. Village autonomy was prominent, with Gramasabha managing local affairs, ensuring efficiency through recorded and authenticated orders.
5. What role did trade play in the economy of South Indian kingdoms?
Answer: Trade was central to South Indian economies, with cities like Paithan and Nashik thriving as commercial hubs. Specialized professions, such as textile production in Cholamandala and Chera, supported Indo-Roman trade, while merchant guilds (Shreni) facilitated economic and social organization. Coins, including Chola’s tiger-emblazoned and Roman re-stamped varieties, reflect extensive trade networks.
6. How did the Pallava dynasty contribute to art and architecture?
Answer: The Pallavas, under kings like Mahendravarman and Narsimhavarman, patronized art forms like music, dance, and sculpture, with Mahendravarman writing Mattavilasa. They built monolithic Ratha temples at Mahabalipuram and temples at Tiruchirapalli, showcasing Dravida-style architecture. Their cultural legacy is enriched by Narsimhavarman’s literary works and Yuan Chwang’s accounts.
7. Why is the Yadava period significant in Maharashtra’s history?
Answer: The Yadava period, marked by rulers like Bhillam V and Singhan, saw territorial expansion and cultural flourishing in Maharashtra. The rise of Mahanubhav and Warkari sects, along with Marathi literature like Dnyaneshwari, enriched regional identity. Architectural achievements, including Hemadpanti temples and forts like Ankai, underscore their lasting impact.
8. Describe the architectural styles prevalent in South India during this period.
Answer: South Indian architecture featured the Dravida style, with reducing storeys in Shikhara, seen in temples like Brihadeshwara (Tanjore) and Kailasnath (Kanchi). The Vesara style, developed by the Chalukyas, is evident in Aihole and Badami temples. The Rashtrakuta’s Kailasa temple and Yadava’s Hemadpanti temples, using interlocked stones, highlight architectural diversity.
9. What were the literary contributions of the Vakataka and Rashtrakuta dynasties?
Answer: The Vakatakas produced Setubandha by Pravarasena II and Harivijaya by Sarvasena, while Kalidasa’s Meghadoota was composed during their rule. The Rashtrakuta king Amoghvarsh wrote Ratnamalika and Kavirajmarg, contributing to Sanskrit and Kannada literature. These works provide valuable historical and cultural insights.
10. How did the Shilahara dynasty govern its three branches?
Answer: The Shilaharas, founded by Jimutvahan, ruled South Konkan, North Konkan, and Kolhapur as feudatories of Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas. South Konkan, under rulers like Adityavarma, expanded from Thane to Goa; North Konkan, led by Kapardi, built Bhoomija-style temples; and Kolhapur, under Jatiga, constructed the Koppeshwar temple. Their decentralized governance relied on local capitals and cultural patronage.
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