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.
Showing 41–50 of 77 questions
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q41. Consider the following conquests and achievements attributed to the Chola King Rajaraja I: I. He destroyed the Chera navy at Kandalur Salai. II. He conquered the northern part of Sri Lanka and named it Mummudichola Mandalam. III. He successfully conquered the Maldives islands. IV. He defeated the Later Chalukyas of Kalyani in multiple engagements. V. He launched a naval expedition and captured the Srivijaya empire. Which of the above combination of statements is correct?
Explanation
Rajaraja I was a brilliant military strategist who destroyed the Chera navy and conquered northern Sri Lanka, establishing a province called Mummudichola Mandalam. He also extended Chola influence to the Maldives and engaged in successful conflicts with the Later Chalukyas. However, the naval conquest of the Srivijaya empire in Southeast Asia was the specific achievement of his son and successor, Rajendra I, rather than Rajaraja himself.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q42. In the Chola administrative system systematically reorganized by Rajaraja I, the term ‘Valanadu’ referred to which of the following?
Explanation
During the administrative reorganization under Rajaraja I, the Chola empire was structured into several tiers for efficient governance. The largest unit was the Mandalam (province). To improve local oversight, several Nadus (districts) were grouped together to form a larger territorial unit called a Valanadu. This intermediary division helped the central government manage revenue collection and local administration more effectively across the diverse regions of the expanding Chola state.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q43. Rajaraja I was known for his comprehensive administrative reforms and assumption of several titles. Which of the following titles was NOT assumed by him?
Explanation
Rajaraja I assumed several prestigious titles to commemorate his various achievements, including Jayankonda (the victorious), Sivapadasekhara (one who places his crown at the feet of Shiva), and Mummudi Chola (the Chola who wears three crowns). However, the title Gangaikonda, meaning the conqueror of the Ganges, was exclusively adopted by his son, Rajendra I, after his successful military expedition to the northern river Ganga and the defeat of the Pala king.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q44. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Chola Administrative Unit
Description
A. Mandalam
i. A group of contiguous villages
B. Valanadu
ii. A province or large regional territory
C. Nadu
iii. An agricultural district
D. Kurram
iv. A larger territorial division created by bifurcating provinces
Explanation
The Chola administration was hierarchical and well-organized. The empire was divided into provinces called Mandalams. These were subdivided into Valanadus, which were larger territorial blocks. The basic agricultural district was known as a Nadu, which consisted of several smaller groups of villages called Kurrams. This structured system allowed the Chola monarchs to maintain centralized control while facilitating efficient local governance and revenue collection throughout their extensive coastal and inland territories.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q45. Which of the following statements regarding the administration of Rajaraja I is incorrect?
Explanation
Rajaraja I is noted for his administrative efficiency, including a major land survey and the division of the empire into Mandalams. He maintained a strong standing army with various specialized corps. However, he did not abolish local village assemblies; instead, the Chola system was unique for its high degree of local autonomy. Assemblies like the Ur and Sabha continued to manage local affairs, irrigation, and justice under the central government’s supervision.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q46. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Rajendra I assumed the prestigious title of ‘Gangaikonda Chola’. Reason (R): He successfully led a northern military campaign up to the river Ganga, defeating the Pala king Mahipala of Bengal. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Explanation
Rajendra I earned the prestigious title of Gangaikonda Chola following his ambitious military expedition to North India. His forces marched to the banks of the Ganges, defeating local rulers including the Pala king, Mahipala of Bengal. To commemorate this triumph, he established a new capital city named Gangaikonda Cholapuram and brought holy water from the Ganges to fill a massive irrigation tank, symbolizing his far-reaching authority and military success.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q47. What was the most significant geopolitical motivation behind Rajendra Chola’s unprecedented naval expedition against the Srivijaya Empire in Southeast Asia?
Explanation
The naval expedition against the Srivijaya Empire by Rajendra I was primarily driven by economic and commercial interests. Srivijaya controlled the strategic Malacca Strait, which was the main maritime route for Chola trade with China. By imposing heavy duties or obstructing passage, Srivijaya threatened Chola merchant guilds. Therefore, the Chola monarch launched a naval campaign to break this monopoly, ensure free maritime passage, and protect the lucrative overseas commercial interests.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q48. Consider the following statements regarding the achievements of Rajendra Chola I: I. He founded a new capital city called Gangaikonda Cholapuram. II. He excavated a massive artificial irrigation reservoir known as Cholagangam. III. He established a renowned Vedic educational institution at Ennayiram. IV. His naval forces were disastrously defeated by the ruler of Kadaram. Which of the above combinations of statements is correct?
Explanation
Rajendra I’s reign was marked by significant civil and educational contributions, such as founding Gangaikonda Cholapuram and creating the Cholagangam reservoir. He also supported higher learning by establishing a Vedic college at Ennayiram. While he conducted an ambitious naval campaign in Southeast Asia, it was a resounding success that resulted in the capture of various Srivijaya ports, rather than a disastrous defeat. This makes the fourth statement about his naval failure historically incorrect.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q49. Identify the incorrect statement connecting a South Indian ruler with their northern or contemporary rival.
Explanation
Historical chronologies must match for ruler-rival pairs to be valid. Pulakesi II and Harshavardhana were famous seventh-century rivals, and Narasimhavarman I also fought Pulakesi II during that period. Rajendra I successfully campaigned against Mahipala of the Pala dynasty in the eleventh century. However, Rajaraja I lived in the late tenth and early eleventh centuries, long after Harshavardhana’s death in 647 CE, making any direct military engagement between them an impossibility.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q50. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Chola Village Assembly
Nature of Assembly
A. Ur
i. Assembly of merchants and traders
B. Sabha
ii. General assembly of common tax-paying villagers
C. Nagaram
iii. Assembly of the entire Nadu district
D. Nattar
iv. Exclusive assembly of Brahmins in a Brahmadeya village
Explanation
Chola society featured diverse local assemblies. The Ur was a general assembly of common villagers. The Sabha was an exclusive body of learned Brahmins found in tax-free Brahmadeya villages. The Nagaram served the specific interests of merchants and traders in commercial centers. Above these, the Nattar represented the interests of the entire Nadu or district. These bodies played a crucial role in local administration, land management, and tax collection within the empire.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
41
(a) I, II, III, and IV
42
(d) An administrative division between a Nadu and a Mandalam
43
(b) Gangaikonda
44
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i
45
(d) He systematically abolished all local village assemblies to establish absolute central autocracy.
46
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
47
(b) Securing Chola trade by breaking Srivijaya’s Malacca Strait monopoly
48
(a) I, II, and III
49
(c) Rajaraja I - Harshavardhana
50
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii
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.
