Dravidian Dynasties MCQ Questions and Answers

1. The Dravidians are generally believed to have migrated to India from the region of
A) Central Asia
B) Mediterranean region
C) Siberia
D) Africa
Answer: Mediterranean region

2. The original home of the Dravidians is often associated with which ancient civilization?
A) Mesopotamian
B) Elamite
C) Egyptian
D) Greek
Answer: Elamite

3. The Dravidian languages are primarily spoken in which part of India?
A) Northern India
B) Southern India
C) Eastern India
D) Western India
Answer: Southern India

4. The oldest Dravidian language is considered to be
A) Telugu
B) Kannada
C) Malayalam
D) Tamil
Answer: Tamil

5. The Sangam literature was composed in which language?
A) Pali
B) Prakrit
C) Sanskrit
D) Tamil
Answer: Tamil

6. The word “Dravida” was first used by
A) Kautilya
B) Adishankara
C) Kalidasa
D) Bana
Answer: Adishankara

7. Which ancient city is believed to have had Dravidian roots before Aryan migration?
A) Mohenjo-Daro
B) Hastinapur
C) Kashi
D) Pataliputra
Answer: Mohenjo-Daro

8. The Dravidian script later evolved into
A) Devanagari
B) Tamil-Brahmi
C) Grantha
D) Sharada
Answer: Tamil-Brahmi

9. The early Dravidians were primarily
A) Nomadic hunters
B) Agriculturists
C) Warriors
D) Traders
Answer: Agriculturists

10. The Dravidian religion originally centered around
A) Vedic deities
B) Mother Goddess worship
C) Buddha
D) Fire sacrifice
Answer: Mother Goddess worship

11. The Dravidian culture is known for its worship of
A) Nature and fertility cults
B) Sun and fire
C) Philosophical ideas
D) Asceticism
Answer: Nature and fertility cults

12. The Dravidian temple architecture reached its peak during
A) Maurya dynasty
B) Gupta dynasty
C) Chola dynasty
D) Kushana dynasty
Answer: Chola dynasty

13. The term “Sangam” refers to
A) Assemblies of Tamil poets
B) Royal councils
C) Merchant guilds
D) Religious ceremonies
Answer: Assemblies of Tamil poets

14. The capital of the early Chola kingdom was
A) Kanchipuram
B) Uraiyur
C) Madurai
D) Tanjore
Answer: Uraiyur

15. The capital of the Pandya kingdom was
A) Kanchipuram
B) Madurai
C) Thanjavur
D) Uraiyur
Answer: Madurai

16. The capital of the Chera kingdom was
A) Uraiyur
B) Madurai
C) Vanji (Karur)
D) Kanchipuram
Answer: Vanji (Karur)

17. The Cholas were great
A) Philosophers
B) Maritime traders and warriors
C) Sculptors
D) Priests
Answer: Maritime traders and warriors

18. Rajaraja I belonged to which dynasty?
A) Pandya
B) Pallava
C) Chola
D) Chera
Answer: Chola

19. The Brihadeeswarar Temple was built by
A) Mahendravarman I
B) Rajaraja I
C) Narasimhavarman
D) Rajendra II
Answer: Rajaraja I

20. Rajendra Chola I’s empire extended up to
A) Sri Lanka
B) Southeast Asia
C) Deccan Plateau
D) Sindh
Answer: Southeast Asia

21. The Pallava dynasty was famous for
A) Literature
B) Rock-cut architecture
C) Metal sculpture
D) Coinage
Answer: Rock-cut architecture

22. The Shore Temple is located at
A) Kanchipuram
B) Mahabalipuram
C) Madurai
D) Tanjore
Answer: Mahabalipuram

23. The Pallava ruler who defeated Pulakesin II was
A) Nandivarman
B) Narasimhavarman I
C) Mahendravarman I
D) Dantivarman
Answer: Narasimhavarman I

24. The Alvars and Nayanars were associated with
A) Buddhism
B) Jainism
C) Bhakti Movement
D) Tantra
Answer: Bhakti Movement

25. The Sangam literature is primarily
A) Epic
B) Secular and social
C) Religious
D) Mythological
Answer: Secular and social

26. The “Tolkappiyam” is a famous treatise on
A) History
B) Grammar
C) Philosophy
D) Mathematics
Answer: Grammar

27. The famous port of the Cholas was
A) Puhar (Kaveripattinam)
B) Mamallapuram
C) Tuticorin
D) Karur
Answer: Puhar (Kaveripattinam)

28. The Cheras were known for their trade with
A) China
B) Rome
C) Persia
D) Egypt
Answer: Rome

29. The emblem of the Pandya kingdom was
A) Fish
B) Tiger
C) Two fish
D) Bow and arrow
Answer: Two fish

30. The emblem of the Chola kingdom was
A) Tiger
B) Lion
C) Fish
D) Elephant
Answer: Tiger

31. The Cheras’ emblem was
A) Fish
B) Bow and arrow
C) Tiger
D) Elephant
Answer: Bow and arrow

32. The Sangam age is roughly dated between
A) 1500–1000 BCE
B) 300 BCE–300 CE
C) 500–900 CE
D) 900–1200 CE
Answer: 300 BCE–300 CE

33. The Dravidian family of languages does not include
A) Tamil
B) Kannada
C) Odia
D) Telugu
Answer: Odia

34. Which ruler assumed the title “Gangaikonda Chola”?
A) Rajaraja I
B) Rajendra I
C) Aditya I
D) Vikrama Chola
Answer: Rajendra I

35. The Pallava capital was
A) Madurai
B) Kanchipuram
C) Karur
D) Tanjore
Answer: Kanchipuram

36. The Cholas’ administrative divisions were known as
A) Mahajanapadas
B) Provinces
C) Mandalam
D) Pradesh
Answer: Mandalam

37. The local self-government under the Cholas was known as
A) Sabha
B) Ur and Sabha system
C) Mahasabha
D) Panchayat
Answer: Ur and Sabha system

38. The Dravidian civilization contributed most to which field?
A) Philosophy
B) Temple architecture
C) Astronomy
D) Sculpture
Answer: Temple architecture

39. The Rashtrakutas, though Deccan rulers, were of
A) Aryan origin
B) Dravidian origin
C) Greek origin
D) Tribal origin
Answer: Dravidian origin

40. The famous Kailasanatha temple at Ellora was built by
A) Cholas
B) Rashtrakutas
C) Pandyas
D) Cheras
Answer: Rashtrakutas

41. The Dravidian languages belong to which linguistic family?
A) Indo-Aryan
B) Sino-Tibetan
C) Austro-Asiatic
D) Dravidian family
Answer: Dravidian family

42. The Dravidian people are considered the main contributors to which civilization?
A) Indus Valley Civilization
B) Vedic Civilization
C) Gupta Empire
D) Harsha’s Kingdom
Answer: Indus Valley Civilization

43. Which of the following is not a Dravidian language?
A) Konkani
B) Tamil
C) Kannada
D) Telugu
Answer: Konkani

44. The Dravidian race is believed to have been associated with which type of social structure?
A) Nomadic tribes
B) Settled agrarian communities
C) Hunter-gatherer clans
D) Feudal lords
Answer: Settled agrarian communities

45. The Dravidian worship of serpents is associated with which deity?
A) Naga
B) Indra
C) Surya
D) Agni
Answer: Naga

46. Which Dravidian kingdom had extensive trade with Romans?
A) Chola
B) Chera
C) Pallava
D) Pandya
Answer: Chera

47. The Sangam text Silappadikaram narrates the story of
A) Kings and wars
B) A chaste wife named Kannagi
C) Merchants’ voyages
D) Ascetic saints
Answer: A chaste wife named Kannagi

48. The author of Tolkappiyam was
A) Thiruvalluvar
B) Avvaiyar
C) Tolkappiyar
D) Ilango Adigal
Answer: Tolkappiyar

49. The text Manimekalai is associated with which religion?
A) Hinduism
B) Buddhism
C) Jainism
D) Shaivism
Answer: Buddhism

50. The Thirukkural was written by
A) Thiruvalluvar
B) Ilango Adigal
C) Avvaiyar
D) Kamban
Answer: Thiruvalluvar

51. The Pallavas were originally the feudatories of
A) Satavahanas
B) Cholas
C) Mauryas
D) Cheras
Answer: Satavahanas

52. The Mamallapuram monuments were built under which Pallava ruler?
A) Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla)
B) Mahendravarman I
C) Dantivarman
D) Nandivarman II
Answer: Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla)

53. The Dravidian style of architecture is known as
A) Nagara
B) Vesara
C) Dravida
D) Indo-Islamic
Answer: Dravida

54. The Dravidian temples usually have a tall gateway known as
A) Dome
B) Gopuram
C) Mandapa
D) Stupa
Answer: Gopuram

55. The rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram were dedicated mainly to
A) Vishnu
B) Shiva
C) Krishna
D) Brahma
Answer: Shiva

56. Which Chola king sent naval expeditions to Sri Lanka and Sumatra?
A) Rajendra I
B) Aditya I
C) Kulottunga I
D) Vikrama Chola
Answer: Rajendra I

57. The inscriptions of the Cholas were mostly written in
A) Sanskrit
B) Pali
C) Tamil
D) Kannada
Answer: Tamil

58. The temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram was built to commemorate
A) Defeat of Pandya
B) Victory over the Ganges region
C) Maritime conquest
D) Alliance with Pallavas
Answer: Victory over the Ganges region

59. The Pandya kings were patrons of
A) Jainism
B) Both Shaivism and Vaishnavism
C) Buddhism
D) Islam
Answer: Both Shaivism and Vaishnavism

60. The greatest Pallava ruler who encouraged art and literature was
A) Mahendravarman I
B) Simhavishnu
C) Dantivarman
D) Narasimhavarman II
Answer: Mahendravarman I

61. The Dravidian script had significant influence on
A) Southeast Asian scripts
B) Chinese script
C) Persian script
D) Arabic script
Answer: Southeast Asian scripts

62. The Dravidian temple complex was centered around
A) Viharas
B) Stupas
C) Garbha Griha (sanctum)
D) Towers
Answer: Garbha Griha (sanctum)

63. The Cholas maintained a powerful
A) Infantry
B) Cavalry
C) Navy
D) Artillery
Answer: Navy

64. The Cholas used which river for irrigation and agriculture?
A) Godavari
B) Krishna
C) Kaveri
D) Periyar
Answer: Kaveri

65. The earliest Dravidian religion believed in
A) Rebirth and karma
B) Animism and ancestor worship
C) Salvation through knowledge
D) Monotheism
Answer: Animism and ancestor worship

66. The Dravidians contributed the idea of
A) Caste system
B) Mother Goddess worship
C) Fire sacrifices
D) Animal sacrifices
Answer: Mother Goddess worship

67. The Cholas introduced the system of
A) Standing army
B) Coinage
C) Efficient local administration
D) Caste councils
Answer: Efficient local administration

68. The famous bronze statue of Nataraja belongs to
A) Pallava period
B) Chola period
C) Pandya period
D) Chera period
Answer: Chola period

69. The Rashtrakuta capital was
A) Kanchipuram
B) Manyakheta
C) Thanjavur
D) Karur
Answer: Manyakheta

70. The greatest Rashtrakuta ruler was
A) Amoghavarsha I
B) Dantidurga
C) Krishna I
D) Govinda III
Answer: Amoghavarsha I

71. The Dravidians contributed to which type of architecture?
A) Cave architecture
B) Temple and rock-cut architecture
C) Wooden architecture
D) Fortified cities
Answer: Temple and rock-cut architecture

72. The early Dravidians used which material for building?
A) Marble
B) Brick
C) Stone
D) Wood
Answer: Stone

73. The Pallava art reached its zenith under
A) Simhavishnu
B) Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)
C) Mahendravarman I
D) Nandivarman II
Answer: Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)

74. The Dravidian kingdoms maintained trade with
A) Romans and Southeast Asia
B) Arabs
C) Mongols
D) Tibetans
Answer: Romans and Southeast Asia

75. The Sangam poems were compiled in
A) Pali
B) Classical Tamil
C) Prakrit
D) Sanskrit
Answer: Classical Tamil

76. The Dravidian language family includes how many major languages?
A) 3
B) 4
C) 5 (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Tulu)
D) 6
Answer: 5 (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Tulu)

77. The Chola empire declined mainly due to
A) Pandya invasion
B) Hoysala and Pandya attacks
C) Rashtrakuta wars
D) Mughal invasion
Answer: Hoysala and Pandya attacks

78. The Pallava ruler who authored the play Mattavilasa Prahasana was
A) Mahendravarman I
B) Narasimhavarman I
C) Simhavishnu
D) Dantivarman
Answer: Mahendravarman I

79. The language used in the inscriptions of the Rashtrakutas was
A) Tamil
B) Kannada and Sanskrit
C) Telugu
D) Pali
Answer: Kannada and Sanskrit

80. The Chola land tax system was known as
A) Jati
B) Kulas
C) Urayattam
D) Rajam
Answer: Urayattam

81. The Pandya kingdom flourished during
A) Gupta Period
B) Sangam Age
C) Mughal Period
D) Mauryan Period
Answer: Sangam Age

82. The famous Tamil poet Avvaiyar lived during
A) Sangam Age
B) Mauryan Age
C) Gupta Period
D) Mughal Period
Answer: Sangam Age

83. The Dravidian temples were mostly dedicated to
A) Vishnu
B) Shiva and Vishnu both
C) Buddha
D) Devi only
Answer: Shiva and Vishnu both

84. The Chola bronze images were made using
A) Stone
B) Lost-wax technique
C) Clay
D) Sand casting
Answer: Lost-wax technique

85. The Cheras controlled which major port?
A) Puhar
B) Muziris
C) Kaveripattinam
D) Kanchipuram
Answer: Muziris

86. The Sangam literature mentions the trade of
A) Spices
B) Pearls
C) Ivory
D) All of these
Answer: All of these

87. The Dravidian social system was primarily
A) Matriarchal
B) Patriarchal
C) Caste-based
D) Feudal
Answer: Matriarchal

88. The Rashtrakutas were patrons of which religion?
A) Jainism
B) Vaishnavism
C) Shaivism
D) Buddhism
Answer: Jainism

89. The Pallava temples were mostly constructed in
A) Granite
B) Sandstone
C) Marble
D) Wood
Answer: Sandstone

90. The famous Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram was built by
A) Narasimhavarman I
B) Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)
C) Mahendravarman I
D) Dantivarman
Answer: Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)

91. The Dravidian language most influenced by Sanskrit is
A) Malayalam
B) Tamil
C) Kannada
D) Telugu
Answer: Malayalam

92. The Cholas introduced a naval department known as
A) Kadaram
B) Jalashakti
C) Samudra Sena
D) Varuna Vibhag
Answer: Kadaram

93. The Dravidian influence on Indian music is mainly seen in
A) Folk
B) Carnatic tradition
C) Hindustani
D) Tribal music
Answer: Carnatic tradition

94. The Chola king who built the Airavatesvara Temple was
A) Rajendra I
B) Rajaraja II
C) Kulottunga I
D) Aditya I
Answer: Rajaraja II

95. The Cheras were famous for producing
A) Gold ornaments
B) Sandalwood and pepper
C) Cotton
D) Wool
Answer: Sandalwood and pepper

96. The Sangam work Purananuru deals mainly with
A) Heroism and warfare
B) Love poetry
C) Religion
D) Astronomy
Answer: Heroism and warfare

97. The Dravidian people primarily followed
A) Polytheism
B) Nature worship and animism
C) Atheism
D) Fire rituals
Answer: Nature worship and animism

98. The Chola navy’s main base was at
A) Kaveripattinam
B) Nagapattinam
C) Thanjavur
D) Madurai
Answer: Nagapattinam

99. The Chola inscription mentioning village assemblies was found at
A) Uraiyur
B) Uttaramerur
C) Madurai
D) Kanchi
Answer: Uttaramerur

100. The Dravidian civilization’s greatest legacy in modern India is
A) Political unification
B) Scientific knowledge
C) Language and temple architecture
D) Warfare technology
Answer: Language and temple architecture