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