Question 1. The word ‘Sangam’ is associated in Tamil history with
(a) the literature produced during the reign of the great Pallava Dynasty of Kanchi.
(b) the poems written in praise of the Pandyan kings of the early Christian Era.
(c) the court poetry of China kings who were famous for patronising artists.
(d) a college or Assembly (literary academy) of Tamil scholar held under the royal patronage of Pandyan king at Madurai.
Answer : d
Question 2. How many sangam took place?
(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Three
(d) Four
Answer : c
Question 3. Which of the following dynasty is not mentioned in Sangam Literature? [BPSC (Pre) 1996]
(a) Kadamb
(b) Chera
(c) Chola
(d) Pandya
Answer : a
Question 4. The most popular God of the Tamil during the Sangam age was
(a) Indra
(b) Murugan
(c) Varuna
(d) Tirumal
Answer : b
Question 5. Which of the following was not a ruling dynasty of the Tamil country during the Sangam Age? [UPUDA/LDA (Mains) 2010]
(a) Chera
(b) Chola
(c) Pallava
(d) Pandya
Answer : c
Question 6. The sage who is said to have Aryanised South India was [JPSC (Pre) 2012]
(a) Vishwamitra
(b) Agastya
(c) Vashistha
(d) Sambhara
Answer : b
Question 7. Third Sangam was held at? [UPPSC (Pre) 2016]
(a) Arikamedu
(b) Ernakulum
(c) Madurai
(d) Tuticorin
Answer : c
Question 8. In the context of South India, Cave script means
(a) undeciphered graffiti marks
(b) Tamil Brahmi
(c) Tamil Grantha
(d) Pallava Grantha
Answer : b
Question 9. The Sangams flourished at different places, which of the following places were associated with the three sangams? [IAS (Pre) 2004]
(a) Madurai and Kapatapuram
(b) Madurai, Kapatapuram and Kaveripattanam
(c) Madurai, Uraiyur and Cholamandalam
(d) Puhar and Madurai
Answer : a
Question 10. Which of the following is called ‘The Bible of Tamil land’?
(a) Kural
(b) Tolkappiyam
(c) Silappadikaram
(d) Manimekalai
Answer : a
Question 11. The first translator of Mahabharata into Tamil was [IAS (Pre) 1999]
(a) Perunduanar
(b) Kamban
(c) Hala
(d) Bharavi
Answer : a
Question 12. ‘Tirukural’ forms part of
(a) Pattupattu
(b) Kilkanakku
(c) Melkanakku
(d) Ettutogal
Answer : b
Question 13. Religious anthology ‘Kural’ composed in which language? [MPPSC (Pre) 1997]
(a) Greek
(b) Tamil
(c) Telugu
(d) Pali
Answer : b
Question 14. Which of the following Tamil text has been called ‘Laghuveda’? [UPRO/ARO (Mains) 2013]
(a) Nandhikalambagam
(b) Kalingattuparani
(c) Periyarpuranam
(d) Kural
Answer : d
Question 15. Who among the following was the author of the Tamil Ramayanam or Ramavataram? [UP UDA/LDA (Mains) 2010]
(a) Kamban
(b) Kuttan
(c) Nannaya
(d) Tikkana
Answer : a
Question 16. Which of the following poets of the Sangam age has referred to a Mauryan expedition against a Tamil chieftain? [IAS (Pre) 2001]
(a) Paramar
(b) Avvaiyar
(c) IIango Adigal
(d) Mamulanar
Answer : d
Question 17. The early Tamil poet who makes a reference to the Nandas and Mauryas in his work is [IAS (Pre) 1996]
(a) Sattanar
(b) IIango Adigal
(c) Kapilar
(d) Mamulanar
Answer : d
Question 18. In Sangam literature ‘Tolkapiyyam’ is a text of [UPPSC (Mains) 2014]
(a) Tamil Poetry
(b) Tamil Grammar
(c) Tamil Architecture
(d) Tamil Polity
Answer : b
Question 19. Puram in Sangam literature is a
(a) spiritual poetry
(b) erotic poetry
(c) war poetry
(d) None of these
Answer : a
Question 20. Who among the following are known for their Telugu translation of the Mahabharata? [UPPSC 2012]
I. Kamban
II. Kuttan
III. Nannayya
IV. Tikkana
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) I and II
(b) II and III
(c) III and IV
(d) IV and I
Answer : c
Question 21. Which of the following were epics in the early Tamil Literature? [UPPSC 2005]
(a) Tolkappiyam and Thirukural
(b) Ahananuru and Purananuru
(c) Padirupattur and Maduraikanchi
(d) Silappadikaram and Manimekalai
Answer : d
Question 22. Which river is praised in the fifth century Tamil epic, Silappadikaram? [CDSC 2017]
(a) Cauvery
(b) Godavari
(c) Saraswati
(d) Ganges
Answer : a
Question 23. The author of the Silappadikaram was [UPPSC (Mains) 2002]
(a) Ilango
(b) Parmara
(c) Karaikala
(d) Vishnu Swami
Answer : a
Question 24. The epic, ‘Silappadikaram’ refers to [CDS 2016]
(a) story of Rama.
(b) Jaina elements in storyline.
(c) culture of Sri Lankan buddhists.
(d) cult of shakti worship.
Answer : b
Question 25. Who is the author of Manimekalai? [CDS 2018]
(a) Kovalan
(b) Sathanar
(c) Ilango Adigal
(d) Tirutakkatevar
Answer : b
Question 26. ‘Manimekalai’ epic is related to
(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Shaivism
(d) Vaishnavism
Answer : a
Question 27. The story of the transformation of a dancing girl into a Buddisht nun is narrated in [IAS (Pre) 2002]
(a) Silappadikaram
(b) Manimekalai
(c) Tolkappiyam
(d) Maduraikanchi
Answer : b
Question 28. Which of the following are the characters of the epic ‘Manimekalai’?
I. Udayakumara
II. Sudhamati
III. Kural
IV. Adikal
Codes
(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) II, III and IV
(d) I, III and IV
Answer : d
Question 29. Which of the following is/are not the epic/s of Sangam period?
I. Silappadikaram
II. Manimekalai
III. Amuktamalyada
IV. Valayapathi
V. Civaka Cintamani
Codes
(a) I, II, III and V
(b) II, III and V
(c) I, III and V
(d) I, II, IV and V
Answer : d
Question 30. Assertion (A) Sangam texts are different from the Vedic texts particulary from Rigvedic texts.
Reason (R) They do not constitute religious literature and they are secular in nature.
Codes
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Answer : a
Question 31. Which one of the following objects of Roman manufacture has been most abundantly found in India? [IAS (Pre) 1999]
(a) Pot sherds
(b) Bronze icons
(c) Lamps
(d) Coins
Answer : d
Question 32. Where was the capital of Sangam period Chola located?
(a) Kaveripattinam
(b) Madurai
(c) Uraiyur
(d) Cochin
Answer : a
Question 33. In the Battle of Venni, whom did the Chola king, Karikala defeat?
(a) Pandyas and Cheras
(b) Satvahanas and Sakas
(c) Pallavas and Cheras
(d) Pandyas and Bactrians
Answer : b
Question 34. Which of the following source/s gives information about the early cholas?
(a) Sangam Literature
(b) Periplus of Erythraean sea
(c) Mahavamsa
(d) All of the above
Answer : d
Question 35. The protracted Civil War between two Chola chieftains Nalankili and Nedunkilli, were mentioned by which poet?
(a) Kamban
(b) Kuttan
(c) Nannay
(d) Kovur Kilar
Answer : d
Question 36. Which one of the following is not a Chola revenue term?
(a) Kadamai
(b) Adimai
(c) Kudimai
(d) Alkkasu
Answer : b
Question 37. “In a space in which an elephant could lie, one can produce enough grain to feed seven”. This was stated in Sangam poems for which of the following Kingdom?
(a) Chola
(b) Chera
(c) Pandyas
(d) Rashtrakutas
Answer : a
Question 38. Consider the following statements with reference to early Chola.
I. The culture of early Chola is an amalgam of Dravidian and Aryan.
II. The stories of Mahabharata and Ramayana were well known to early Chola people.
III. There is evidence that, there were trade relations between Early Chola and Roman empire.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) Only I
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) All of these
Answer : d
Question 39. Consider the following statements.
I. The Cholas defeated Pandyas and Chora rulers and established their domination over peninsular India in the early medieval times.
II. The Cholas sent an expedition against Shailendra Empire of South-East Asia and conquered some of the areas.
Which of these statements is/are correct? [IAS (Pre) 2003]
(a) Only I
(b) Only II
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Answer : c
Question 40. Where was the capital of Chera Kingdom?
(a) Puhar
(b) Kaveripattinam
(c) Karaikal
(d) Vanjji
Answer : d
Question 41. Who is the earliest known ‘Chera’ king?
(a) Vayavuluram
(b) Vasistha
(c) Udiyangeral
(d) Senguttuvan
Answer : c
Question 42. Which of the following Chera ruler is known by the name ‘Red Chera’?
(a) Nedum Cheralathan
(b) Senguttuvan
(c) Vayavuluram
(d) Udiyangeral
Answer : b
Question 43. The ‘Pattuppattu’ is a collection of poems in the praise of which of the following kings?
(a) Chera
(b) Chola
(c) Pandya
(d) None of these
Answer : a
Question 44. ‘Paripadal’ mentions a Chera king as a renowned musician. He was
(a) Cheraman urmporai
(b) Killivalavn
(c) Udiyangeral
(d) Attanatti
Answer : c
Question 45. Which of the following were parts of the Chera kingdom? [IAS (Pre) 1996]
I. Korkkai
II. Musiri
III. Puhar
IV. Saliyur
V. Tondi
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) I, II and IV
(b) II and V
(c) II, III and IV
(d) III, IV and V
Answer : b
Question 46. Consider the following statements.
I. Senguttuvan, the son of Imayavaramban was the contemporary of Yajna Sri Satkarni.
II. The Silappadikaram gives a detailed account of the exploits of Senguttuvan.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) Only I
(b) Only II
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Answer : a
Question 47. Which of the following were the patrons of Sangam, and assembly of Tamil poets?
(a) Chera
(b) Chola
(c) Pandya
(d) Kadamb
Answer : c
Question 48. Where was the capital of Pandya Dynasty?
(a) Uraiyur
(b) Madurai
(c) Puhar
(d) Kadamb
Answer : b
Question 49. In which of the following battles, the greatest Pandya ruler Nedunjeliyan defeated combined armies of Cholas and Cheras?
(a) Battle of Talikota
(b) Battle of Madurai
(c) Battle of Talaiyalanganam
(d) None of the above
Answer : c
Question 50. Ginger and cinnamon were produced in large quantities in the Pandya country is mentioned by
(a) Megasthenes
(b) Ptolemy
(c) Ibn Saud
(d) Marco Polo
Answer : d
Question 51. Consider the following statements.
I. Nedunjeliyan, a Pandyan king, patronised Buddhism.
II. He was also the king of the epic Silappadikaram, authored by Ilango Adigal.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) Only I
(b) Only II
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Answer : b
Question 52. According to Sangam texts, the terms Kon, Ko and Mannan were attributed to which of the following? [RAS/RTS (Pre) 2010]
(a) Prime Minister
(b) Revenue Minister
(c) Commander of the Army
(d) King
Answer : d
Question 53. Which of the following term was used for Supreme Court in the Sangam Age?
(a) Puhar
(b) Sangam
(c) Maharum
(d) Korai
Answer : d
Question 54. Consider the following statements.
I. The largest source of revenue during Sangam period was land tax called ‘Karai’.
II. The kingdom was divided into Mandalam, Nadu, Ur, Sirur and Perur.
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) Only I
(b) Only II
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Answer : c
Question 55. Consider the following statements.
I. In the Sangam age, the exchange was based on a kind of barter system.
II. There were certain fixed points of exchange called ‘avanam’.
Which of the above given statements is/are correct?
(a) Only I
(b) Both I and II
(c) Only II
(d) Neither I nor II
Answer : a
Question 56. Which of the following customs were prevalent in the Sangam period social system?
(a) Window Remarriage
(b) Sati
(c) Remarriage
(d) All of the above
Answer : d
Question 57. Which of the following characterised the Tamil society of Sangam Age?
I. Complex caste system.
II. Prohibition of intermarriage between the kings and the velalas.
III. Vegetarianism among the Brahmins.
IV. Gradual Aryanisation.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below [IAS (Pre) 1998]
(a) Only I
(b) I and II
(c) II and III
(d) Only IV
Answer : d
Question 58. Assertion (A) Many Roman gold and silver coins belonging to the first and second countries have been discovered in South India.
Reason (R) Some parts of South India were under Roman occupation during this period. [IAS (Pre) 1997]
Codes
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Answer : c
Question 59. Who were ‘Umanar’ in the Sangam Age?
(a) The retailers in salt
(b) Military commanders
(c) Shopkeepers
(d) Agriculturists
Answer : a
Question 60. Which site supposely yielded a dock?
(a) Kiliyeer
(b) Kanchipuram
(c) Arikamedu
(d) Nattamedu
Answer : c
Question 61. Pratisthana an important trading centre was on the river
(a) Cauvery
(b) Krishna
(c) Godavari
(d) Narmada
Answer : c
Question 62. Which one of the following document gives evidence of a temple of Augustus at Muziris in South India? [IAS (Pre) 2002]
(a) Periplus of the Erythraean Sea
(b) Nearchus
(c) Genealogical tables
(d) Sangam literature
Answer : a
Question 63. The early Tamil anthologies mention terms such as ‘Pahri’, ‘Otam’, ‘Tamil’ and ‘Patagu’. These were used for
(a) boats
(b) types of market
(c) merchandise exported
(d) merchandise imported
Answer : a
Question 64. The term ‘Yavanpriya’ mentioned in ancient Sanskrit text denoted [IAS (Pre) 1995]
(a) a fine variety of Indian Muslim
(b) irory
(c) Damsels sent to the Greek Court for dance performance
Answer : d
Question 65. From the excavations of which ancient site, information has been gathered regarding brisk trade relations between India and Rome, during the early centuries of Christian era. [UPPSC (Pre) 2003]
(a) Madurai
(b) Tamralipti
(c) Tondi
(d) Arikamedu
Answer : d
Question 66. The Roman settlement has been found in [UP Lower Sub (Pre) 2009]
(a) Kalibangan
(b) Arikamedu
(c) Rangpur
(d) Satara
Answer : b
Question 67. Which one of the following ports was known as Poduke to the author of the ‘Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.’ [UPPSC (Pre) 1997]
(a) Arikamedu
(b) Taniralipti
(c) Korkai
(d) Barbaricum
Answer : a
Question 68. Amphora jar is a [UPPSC 2014]
(a) perforated jar
(b) tall double handle jar
(c) painted grey jar
(d) black and red ware jar
Answer : b
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