Q71. Who among the following was the last recognized ruler of the Imperial Chola dynasty, whose defeat by the Pandyas in 1279 CE marked the formal end of the empire?
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.
Showing 71–77 of 77 questions
Q72. Which of the following statements incorrectly identifies a factor contributing to the decline and eventual fall of the Chola Empire?
Explanation
Several factors led to the decline of the Chola Empire, including the resurgence of the Pandyas and the rising military pressure from the Hoysalas and Later Chalukyas. These constant conflicts exhausted the state’s treasury and weakened its administrative control. However, the Portuguese did not arrive in India until the late fifteenth century, long after the Chola Empire had already ceased to exist in the thirteenth century. Therefore, a Portuguese invasion could not have caused the dynasty’s downfall.
Q73. What was the immediate regional political consequence in South India following the collapse of the Chola empire in the late 13th century?
Explanation
The fall of the Chola Empire in the late thirteenth century led to a major shift in the political landscape of South India. The power vacuum was immediately filled by the resurgence of the Pandyas of Madurai, who became the dominant force in the Tamil region. Simultaneously, other regional powers like the Hoysalas in Karnataka and the Kakatiyas in Andhra Pradesh expanded their territories. This period was characterized by intense competition among these successor states for regional hegemony.
Q74. Consider the following two statements regarding the transitional period following the Chola decline:
Statement I: The power vacuum created by the subsequent decline of the Pandyas and Hoysalas eventually paved the way for the rise of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Statement II: Harihara and Bukka officially established the Vijayanagar Empire in 1336 CE to consolidate Hindu resistance in the South.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: The power vacuum created by the subsequent decline of the Pandyas and Hoysalas eventually paved the way for the rise of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Statement II: Harihara and Bukka officially established the Vijayanagar Empire in 1336 CE to consolidate Hindu resistance in the South.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
The decline of major regional powers like the Pandyas and Hoysalas following the Chola collapse created a period of political instability. This fragmentation made the South vulnerable to invasions from the Delhi Sultanate. In response to these external threats and the need for regional stability, Harihara and Bukka founded the Vijayanagar Empire in 1336 CE. Their objective was to consolidate local Hindu resistance and preserve traditional South Indian culture, leading to the rise of a new imperial era.
Q75. Identify the incorrectly matched pair regarding the late medieval South Indian dynasties and their primary capital or political center after the decline of the Cholas.
Explanation
The Pandyas were based in Madurai, the Hoysalas ruled from Dwarasamudra, and the Later Cholas continued to use Gangaikonda Cholapuram as their political center. However, the Kakatiya dynasty was centered in the Deccan region of present-day Telangana, with Warangal (Orugallu) as their primary capital. Thanjavur was the historical capital of the Cholas and later became a seat for the Pandyas and Nayakas, but it was never the capital of the Kakatiya kingdom, making this pair incorrect.
Q76. The Hoysala dynasty, which played a crucial role in the geopolitics that led to the decline of the Cholas, ruled primarily from which present-day region?
Explanation
The Hoysala dynasty was a prominent South Indian power that ruled between the tenth and fourteenth centuries. Their kingdom was primarily located in the Malnad and plateau regions of present-day Karnataka. From their capital at Dwarasamudra (modern-day Halebidu), they played a crucial role as a buffer state and a major military power in the conflicts between the Cholas and the Chalukyas. They are also celebrated for their unique and highly decorative temple architecture found throughout the Karnataka region.
Q77. During the Chola administration, the primary source of state revenue was land tax. What was the specific term used to denote the land revenue or tax collected from the cultivators?
Explanation
Land revenue was the backbone of the Chola economy, and the state maintained a meticulous system of land survey and assessment. The general term used for the land tax or the share of the produce payable to the king by the cultivators was Kadamai. This tax was usually collected in kind, although payments in gold were also accepted. It was distinct from other levies, such as Vetti (forced labor), and was essential for funding the empire’s massive military and architectural projects.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 71 | (a) Rajendra III |
| 72 | (d) The Portuguese naval invasion of the Coromandel coast directly destroyed the Chola capital. |
| 73 | (b) The resurgence of the Pandyas and the rise of Hoysalas and Kakatiyas |
| 74 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are true |
| 75 | (d) Kakatiyas - Thanjavur |
| 76 | (a) Karnataka |
| 77 | (b) Kadamai |
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.