The Deccan and the South Indian Kingdoms

 

The Deccan and the South Indian Kingdoms

Textual Exercise

Choose the appropriate option.

a) _____________were also known as the Andhras.

i) Chalukyas

ii) Cholas

iii) Satvahanas

iv) Cheras

b) The Chalukyan king plundered the Pallava capital, Kanchi.

 i) Pulakesin II

ii) Pulakesin I

iii) Kirtivarman II

iv) Vikramaditya

c) The inscription of Kharavela of Kalinga also given information about the South Indian kingdoms.

i) Tanjavur

ii) Hathigumpha

iii) Aihole

iv) Junagadh

d) The last ruler _________was Aparajitavarman.

i) Pallava

 ii) Pandya

iii) Chera

iv) Chola

e) The _______________of the Sangam period were popular.

i) handicrafts

ii) paintings

iii) sculptures

iv) monuments

2. Fill in the blanks.

a) The first Sangam was held at Madurai.

b) Tolkappiyam written by Tolkappiyar is the earliest Tamil literature.

c) Avvaiyar was the title given to the most legendary poetess of the Tamil literature.

3. Match the columns. Column A Column B a) Karikala i) Modern Kerala b) Cheras ii) Sittalai Sattanar c) Simhavishnu iii) Kallanai dam d) Manimekalai iv) Pallava dynasty 86

4. Answer the following questions in 10 to 20 words.

a) Name the foreign authors who wrote about the commercial contacts between the West and the South India.

Ans. Greek authors such as Megasthenes, Ptolemy, Pliny and Strabo wrote about the commercial contacts between the West and the South India.

b) Write the name of the source that gives information on the Chera rulers.

Ans. The Pugalur inscription of the fi rst century CE gives information about the three generations of Chera rulers. Padirruppattu is yet another important source that furnishes information on Chera kings.

c) Why did the Pandyan rule begin to decline?

Ans. The Pandyan rule started to decline due to the invasion of the Kalabhras.

5. Answer the following questions in 50 to 70 words.

a) Write a brief note on Gautamiputra Satakarni.

·       Gautamiputra Satakarni was the greatest ruler of the Satavahana dynasty.

·       His reign lasted for a period of 24 years from 106 CE to 130 CE.

·       He annexed the whole of Deccan and expanded his kingdom.

·       Although he was a champion of Brahmanism; he gave donations to the Buddhists.

·       The Nashik and the Nanaghad inscriptions provide valuable information about the rule of Gautamiputra Satakarni.

b) Write about on the rise of the Bhakti sect in South India.

·       From 7th century onwards, the Bhakti sect spread throughout India, particularly in the South.

·       Bhakti meant total surrender of the devotees to God.

·       In South India, the Nayanars and Alvars were the noted saints of the Bhakti sect.

·       The Nayanars, the devotees of Lord Shiva, wrote poetry in praise of Lord Shiva; the Alvars were the worshippers of Lord Vishnu.

·       During this period, devotional poetry developed.

c) Discuss about the trade during the Sangam period.

·       The well organised internal and external trade flourished during the Sangam period and that resulted in a great demand for these products.

·       Merchants used carts and animals to carry goods from place to place.

·       The barter system was an important feature of internal trade.

·       External trade was carried between South India and the Roman Empire. The port cities of Puhar, Tondi, Musiri, Korkai, Arikkamedu and Marakkanam became centres of foreign trade.

·       Roman coins were found in all parts of Tamil Nadu, which reveal the extent of the trade.