1. Which river valley in South India was considered the most fertile?
a) Godavari
b) Krishna
c) Kaveri
d) Narmada
Answer: c) Kaveri
Explanation: The Kaveri River valley was the most fertile in the southern half of the subcontinent, making it an important region for agriculture.
2. Who were the ‘Muvendar’ mentioned in the Sangam poems?
a) Three major deities of South India
b) Three chief trading ports
c) Three ruling families – the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas
d) Three great temples
Answer: c) Three ruling families – the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas
Explanation: The Tamil word ‘Muvendar’ means ‘three chiefs’, referring to the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas, who were powerful in South India around 2300 years ago.
3. What were the two most important cities controlled by the three Tamil ruling families?
a) Pataliputra and Ujjain
b) Kaveripattinam (Puhar) and Madurai
c) Taxila and Mathura
d) Arikamedu and Sopara
Answer: b) Kaveripattinam (Puhar) and Madurai
Explanation: Puhar (Kaveripattinam) was the Chola port city, and Madurai was the Pandya capital, making them significant centers of power.
4. How did the Tamil chiefs collect revenue from their people?
a) They collected regular taxes
b) They demanded and received gifts
c) They traded with foreign merchants
d) They imposed heavy land taxes
Answer: b) They demanded and received gifts
Explanation: Instead of collecting regular taxes, the Tamil chiefs received gifts from the people and also took tributes from neighboring areas.
5. How did the Tamil chiefs reward poets and supporters?
a) By giving them military ranks
b) By appointing them as tax collectors
c) By gifting them gold, elephants, and fine cloth
d) By building temples in their honor
Answer: c) By gifting them gold, elephants, and fine cloth
Explanation: The Tamil chiefs rewarded poets and supporters with valuable gifts like gold, elephants, and fine cloth, as mentioned in Sangam literature.
6. Which dynasty became powerful in western India about 200 years after the Tamil rulers?
a) Satavahanas
b) Pallavas
c) Mauryas
d) Kushanas
Answer: a) Satavahanas
Explanation: The Satavahanas rose to power in western India around 200 years after the Tamil rulers, controlling trade routes and coastal regions.
7. Who was the most important ruler of the Satavahana dynasty?
a) Chandragupta Maurya
b) Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni
c) Harsha
d) Ashoka
Answer: b) Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni
Explanation: Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni was the most significant ruler of the Satavahanas, and we learn about him from an inscription by his mother, Gautami Balashri.
8. What title was given to the Satavahana rulers due to their control over southern trade routes?
a) Lords of the Silk Road
b) Lords of the Dakshinapatha
c) Guardians of the Seas
d) Protectors of the Monsoon Winds
Answer: b) Lords of the Dakshinapatha
Explanation: The Satavahana rulers were known as ‘Lords of the Dakshinapatha’, which referred to the trade routes leading to the southern region.
9. Why did Satavahana rulers aim to control the coastal regions?
a) To expand their religious influence
b) To control trade and collect revenue from merchants
c) To settle colonies of farmers
d) To build massive temples
Answer: b) To control trade and collect revenue from merchants
Explanation: Controlling the coasts allowed the Satavahanas to regulate trade and collect taxes from merchants, boosting their economic power.
10. What was the role of traders in coastal kingdoms?
a) They were mostly farmers
b) They collected taxes from the people
c) They facilitated trade between India and foreign regions
d) They worked only for the king’s army
Answer: c) They facilitated trade between India and foreign regions
Explanation: Traders played a key role in connecting Indian coastal kingdoms with foreign markets, trading goods such as spices, textiles, and precious stones.
