Practice Set For Major Kingdom Of South India

The Major dynasties of South India involved Cholas, Pallavas, Rashtrakutas, and Chalukyas. Among these, Cholas have the greatest empire. This chapter is very important as most of the questions are based on the temples and their architecture and style. Generally, 4 to 5 questions are asked in the SSC exam on this topic. To give a better understanding of this topic, we gave some exam centric questions for you all.

Q1: Who founded the Pallava kingdom?
A. SimhaVishnu
B. Vijayalaya
C. Mahendravarman I
D. Devalaya
Answer: A
The first ruler in the Pallava family was Simhavishnu, who defeated the Kalabhras and founded Pallava power. He also defeated the Cholas, extending Pallava control all the way to the Kaveri River.

Q2: Who wrote Mattavilasa Prahasanam?
A. Mahendravarman I
B. Gopala
C. Krishna III
D. Narasimhavarman I
Answer: A
His rock-cut temples can be discovered in a number of locations, including Mahendravadi, Dalavanur, Pallavaram, Mandagapattu, and Tiruchirappalli. Mahendravarman composed Mattavilasa Prahasanam in Sanskrit. He is also a talented musician.

Q3: Who was popularly known as Rajasimha?
A. Mahendravarman I
B. Pulakeshin II
C. Vijayalaya
D. Narasimhavarman II
Answer: D
Successor to Parameswarvarman I was Narasimhavarman II, popularly known as Rajasimha. He was an expert on the development of art and architecture.

Q4: The Kailasanatha temple of Kanchi was built by-
A. Pallavas
B. Cholas
C. Chalukyas
D. Rashtrakutas
Answer: A
Pallava ruler Rajasimha introduces soft sandstone temples as structural temples. The Kailasanatha temple in Kanchi, for example, and the Mamallapuram Shore temple in Mamallapuram.

Q5: Who setup the branch of Imperial Cholas?
A. Rajakesari
B. Vijayalaya
C. Parantaka I
D. Aditya I
Answer: B
Vijayalaya established the Imperial Chola line. In 815 AD, he defeated the Muttaraiyars and took Tanjore for himself. 

Q6: Which of the following Chola king was known as Arimolivarman?
A. Rajaraja I
B. Uttama Chola
C. Rajendra I
D. Vijayalaya
Answer: A
Arimolivarman was Rajaraja I’s other name. He had a strong preference for music. In 985 AD, Vanavan Mahadevi’s son, Orimolivarman Rajaraja, ascended to the chola throne.

Q7: Who among the following built the Rajarajeshwara temple of Tanjore?
A. Rajendra I
B. Rajaraja I
C. Pulakeshin II
D. Aditya I
Answer: B
As a devout follower of Saivism, Rajaraja I completed the famous Rajarajeswara temple, also known as Brihadeeswara temple, in Tanjore in 1010 AD. He also aided in the construction of a Buddhist monastery at Nagapattinam.

Q8: Who was famously known as the ‘Napoleon of the South’?
A. Rajendra I
B. Rajaraja I
C. Pulakeshin II
D. Aditya I
Answer: A
Rajendra I was dubbed “Napoleon of the South” by historian Smith. Rajaraja and his son Rajendra I were the greatest Chola rulers (985-1014 AD). At Tanjore, Rajaraja constructed the Vrihadeshwar/ Rajarajeswara temple, which is dedicated to Shiva.

Q9: Vrihadeshwar temple of Cholas belongs to which god?
A. Vishnu
B. Brahma
C. Shiva
D. Buddhism
Answer: C
Rajendra I was dubbed “Napoleon of the South” by historian Smith. Rajaraja and his son Rajendra I were the greatest Chola rulers (985-1014 AD). At Tanjore, Rajaraja constructed the Vrihadeshwar/ Rajarajeswara temple, which is dedicated to Shiva.

Q10: Who was the last ruler of Cholas?
A. Rajendra III
B. Rajaraja I
C. Pulakeshin II
D. Aditya I
Answer: A
Rajendra I took the name Gangaikondachola and founded Gangaikondacholapuram. Rajendra III was the last king of the Chola dynasty.

Q11: Who founded the city Gangaikondacholapuram?
A. Rajendra III
B. Rajendra I
C. Pulakeshin II
D. Aditya I
Answer: B
Rajendra I took the name Gangaikondachola and founded Gangaikondacholapuram. Rajendra III was the last king of the Chola dynasty.

Q12: What was ‘Nadu’ known during Chola reign?
A. Provinces
B. Gram
C. district
D. villages
Answer: C
The Chola empire was split into Madalams (provinces), which were subdivided further into Valanadu (commissionary), Nadu (district), and Kurram (region) (a group of villages).

Q13: Who founded the Chalukya kingdom?
A. Pulakeshin I
B. Ravivarman
C. Kirtivarman II
D. Rajendravarman I
Answer: A
Pulakeshin I was the founder of the Chalukya Dynasty, which formed a small empire centred on Vatapi or Badami.

Q14: Who was ruler when Hiuen Tsang visit India?
A. Pulakeshin II
B. Ravivarman
C. Kirtivarman II
D. Rajendravarman I
Answer: A
Pulakeshin II rule is detailed in the Aihole inscription he commissioned. On the Narmada’s banks, he defeated Harshavardhana. Hiuen Tsang paid a visit to his home country. 

Q15: Who was the last ruler of Chalukyas?
A. Pulakeshin II
B. Ravivarman
C. Kirtivarman II
D. Rajendravarman I
Answer: C
He was the Chalukyas’ last emperor, and he was vanquished by Dantidurga, the founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

Q16: The temple style Vesara belongs to which kingdom?
A. Chalukyas 
B. Pallavas
C. Hoysalas
D. Rashtrakutas
Answer: A
The Chalukyas originated the vesara temple style, but it was not until the Rashtrakutas and Hoysalas that it attained its zenith. Aihole, Badami, and Pattadakal all have Chalukya temples. 

Q17: The famous Virupaksha temple was constructed by which dynasty?
A. Pallavas
B. Hoysalas
C. Rashtrakutas
D. Chalukyas
Answer: D
During Chalukyas reign, there are ten temples, four in the Northern style (Papanatha temple) and six in the Dravidian style (Sangamesvara & Virupaksha temple). Virupaksha temple is modelled after Kanchipuram’s Kailasanatha temple. They are also well-known for their cave temple construction.

Q18: Who founded the Rashtrakutas kingdom?
A. Govinda III
B. Amoghvarsha 
C. Dantidurg
D. Krishna I
Answer: C
Dantidurg was the founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, established his capital in Kerala at Manyakhet. He beat the 1st Rajput Gurjaras and took Malwa from them.

Q19: The rock cut Kailasanatha temple was constructed by which dynasty?
A. Pallavas
B. Hoysalas
C. Rashtrakutas
D. Chalukyas
Answer: C
Dantidurg successor, Krishna I, conquered the Vengi Gangas and Eastern Chalukyas. At Ellora, he constructed the rock-cut monolithic Kailasa temple.

Q20: What was Bhukti called during south Indian kingdom?
A. Provinces
B. Group of Villages
C. Urban Cities
D. Agricultural land
Answer: B
The Rashtrakuta Empire was divided into provinces known as rashtras, which were governed by rashtrapatis. They were then subdivided into vishayas, or districts, which were ruled by vishayapatis. The next subdivision was bhukti, which included 50-70 villages under the control of bhogapatis.