Q1. Pulakesi II, the most famous ruler of the Chalukyas of Vatapi, decisively defeated the North Indian emperor Harshavardhana on the banks of which river?
South Indian Dynasties: RAS Prelims MCQs
77 RAS Prelims MCQs on the South Indian dynasties cover the Chalukyas, Pallavas and Cholas. Pulakesi II and his rivals, Pallava rulers and their temple styles, the Alvars and Nayanars, and the rise of the Cholas under Vijayalaya are asked as facts, sequences and statements, with the explanations tying each ruler to his monuments.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
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Q2. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Harshavardhana could not expand his empire southward beyond the Deccan.
Reason (R): Pulakesi II defeated Harshavardhana in a decisive battle and halted his southern march.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Harshavardhana could not expand his empire southward beyond the Deccan.
Reason (R): Pulakesi II defeated Harshavardhana in a decisive battle and halted his southern march.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Explanation
Harshavardhana aimed to expand his North Indian empire into the Deccan region but was thwarted by the Chalukyan ruler Pulakesi II. The military defeat at the Narmada River effectively halted Harsha’s southward march. Therefore, the successful defense by the Chalukyas explains why the Pushyabhuti dynasty could not extend its sovereign control into the Deccan plateau.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Chalukya ruler Pulakesi II:
I. His military achievements are detailed in the Aihole inscription composed by Ravikirti.
II. He successfully defeated the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I and captured Kanchipuram.
III. He sent a diplomatic embassy to the court of the Persian king Khusrau II.
Which of the above combinations of statements is correct?
I. His military achievements are detailed in the Aihole inscription composed by Ravikirti.
II. He successfully defeated the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I and captured Kanchipuram.
III. He sent a diplomatic embassy to the court of the Persian king Khusrau II.
Which of the above combinations of statements is correct?
Explanation
Pulakesi II is celebrated for his extensive military conquests, which are recorded in the Aihole inscription by his court poet Ravikirti. He also established international relations by sending a diplomatic mission to the Persian King Khusrau II. While he fought the Pallavas, he was ultimately defeated and killed by Narasimhavarman I, who subsequently captured the capital, Vatapi.
Q4. Consider the following two statements regarding the Chalukyas:
Statement I: The initial capital of the early Chalukyas was located at Aihole before it was moved to Vatapi.
Statement II: Pulakesi I is generally considered the real founder of the Chalukyan dynasty of Vatapi.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: The initial capital of the early Chalukyas was located at Aihole before it was moved to Vatapi.
Statement II: Pulakesi I is generally considered the real founder of the Chalukyan dynasty of Vatapi.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
The early Chalukyas initially established their political center at Aihole, which served as a significant commercial and religious hub before the capital was shifted to Vatapi. Pulakesi I is recognized as the dynasty’s real founder because he fortified the hill at Vatapi and performed Vedic sacrifices to assert his independent sovereignty, marking the formal beginning of their power.
Q5. Which of the following rulers did NOT suffer a military defeat at the hands of the Chalukya king Pulakesi II?
Explanation
Pulakesi II was a formidable conqueror who defeated several contemporary rivals, including Harshavardhana of Kannauj, Mahendravarman I of the Pallavas, and the Kadambas of Banavasi. However, he met his downfall against the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I. In a series of retaliatory battles, Narasimhavarman I defeated Pulakesi II, leading to the destruction of Vatapi and the Chalukyan king’s death.
Q6. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below.
| Temple at Aihole | Key Feature |
|---|---|
| A. Durga Temple | i. Jain temple built on a raised platform |
| B. Lad Khan Temple | ii. Apsidal plan resembling a Buddhist chaitya |
| C. Meguti Temple | iii. Features a rekha-nagara (northern style) shikhara |
| D. Hucchimalli Gudi Temple | iv. Panchayatana style with a flat roof and log-like stone slabs |
Explanation
The Aihole temple complex exhibits diverse architectural experiments. The Durga temple is unique for its apsidal plan, while the Lad Khan temple features a flat roof with log-like stone slabs. The Meguti temple is a significant Jain shrine situated on a high platform. Additionally, the Hucchimalli Gudi temple is notable for introducing a northern-style shikhara within the early Chalukyan architectural tradition.
Q7. Which of the following statements correctly describes the rock-cut cave temples at Badami?
Explanation
The rock-cut architecture at Badami consists of four main caves excavated into the sandstone cliffs. These caves are dedicated to different religious traditions, including three Brahmanical shrines primarily focused on Shiva and Vishnu, and one Jain cave. They represent the early development of Hindu cave architecture in the Deccan, showcasing intricate relief sculptures and sophisticated pillared halls from the sixth century.
Q8. Consider the following statements regarding Chalukya architecture:
I. It represents the nascent stages of the Vesara style, blending northern and southern architectural features.
II. Their structural temples were built using a mortarless assembly technique with precisely fitted stones.
III. The architecture includes both rock-cut cave temples and freestanding structural temples.
IV. It exclusively utilized the Dravida style for all temple shikharas.
Which of the following combinations of statements is incorrect?
I. It represents the nascent stages of the Vesara style, blending northern and southern architectural features.
II. Their structural temples were built using a mortarless assembly technique with precisely fitted stones.
III. The architecture includes both rock-cut cave temples and freestanding structural temples.
IV. It exclusively utilized the Dravida style for all temple shikharas.
Which of the following combinations of statements is incorrect?
Explanation
Chalukya architecture is significant for blending Nagara and Dravida styles, laying the foundation for the hybrid Vesara style. Their structural temples utilized precisely fitted stones without mortar. However, they did not exclusively use the Dravida style; instead, they experimented with various forms, including the northern-style shikhara. Therefore, stating that they only used Dravida features for all temple towers is historically inaccurate.
Q9. Among the four rock-cut caves at Badami, which cave is the largest and contains intricately carved reliefs dedicated to Lord Vishnu?
Explanation
Cave 3 is the largest and most ornate among the four rock-cut caves at Badami. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and contains exceptionally detailed carvings of his various incarnations, such as Varaha and Narasimha. This cave was commissioned by Mangalesha in 578 CE and is celebrated for its massive proportions, intricate ceiling panels, and high level of artistic craftsmanship in sandstone.
Q10. An archaeologist observing an early medieval structural temple characterized by an apsidal floor plan, an ambulatory passage, and early experimentation with a northern-style Shikhara would most likely be studying which site?
Explanation
The Durga temple at Aihole is an exceptional example of early experimental architecture. It is characterized by an unusual apsidal or semi-circular floor plan that mimics the design of Buddhist chaitya halls. The structure includes a perambulatory passage around the sanctum and features one of the earliest instances of a northern-style shikhara, marking a transition toward more complex structural temple designs.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Narmada |
| 2 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 3 | (c) Only I and III |
| 4 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are true |
| 5 | (c) Narasimhavarman I of the Pallava dynasty |
| 6 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 7 | (d) Four caves featuring Brahmanical and Jain rock-cut shrines. |
| 8 | (c) Only IV |
| 9 | (c) Cave 3 |
| 10 | (a) Durga Temple, Aihole |
Key facts from South Indian Dynasties
- Pulakesi II of Vatapi defeated Harshavardhana on the Narmada; he made Kubja Vishnuvardhana viceroy of Vengi.
- Narasimhavarman I captured Vatapi, killed Pulakesi II and sent naval expeditions to Sri Lanka.
- Pallava temple styles run in order: Mahendra, Mamalla, Rajasimha and Nandivarman.
- The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram and the Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram belong to Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha).
- The Alvars were devotees of Vishnu; Andal belongs to the Alvar tradition.
- Vijayalaya founded the Imperial Chola line by capturing Thanjavur from the Muttaraiyars in 850 CE.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on South Indian Dynasties?
This page has 77 practice MCQs on South Indian Dynasties (Ancient Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Who built the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram?
Narasimhavarman II, also called Rajasimha. The Shore Temple is a fine early example of a structural stone temple, and the same ruler built the Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram, another high point of Pallava architecture.
Who defeated Harshavardhana on the Narmada?
Pulakesi II of the Chalukyas of Vatapi. His victory over the northern emperor on the Narmada fixed the southern limit of Harsha’s empire and is one of the best-known events of the Chalukya period.
Who founded the Imperial Chola line?
Vijayalaya, who captured Thanjavur from the Muttaraiyars in 850 CE. This conquest began the rise of the Imperial Cholas, who later became the leading power of South India.