Medieval Period MCQ Questions and Answers

Sol. The Lingayats were followers of Shiva and strongly opposed the rigid caste system and numerous social evils prevalent at the time, such as child marriage. Founded by Basavanna in the 12th century, the Lingayat movement emphasized equality, social justice, and devotion to a formless God, rejecting ritualistic practices and caste-based discrimination.

Sol. Sangam literature refers to the earliest known body of Tamil works, compiled between 300 BCE and 300 CE. It includes a rich collection of poems, hymns, and prose written by poets and scholars associated with Tamil Sangams (academies). It predates other literary works listed and provides invaluable insights into the early Tamil culture, society, and political life.

Sol. The Sun Temple at Konark, one of the most famous monuments of India, was built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, often referred to as the Imperial Ganga dynasty. This dynasty ruled parts of present-day Odisha and was known for its patronage of art and architecture, particularly temple building.

Sol. Sangam literature is a body of early Tamil literary works attributed roughly to the first three centuries of the Common Era. It is characterized by its secular nature, dealing with themes such as love, valor, ethics, and the socio-political life of the time, distinguishing it clearly from Pali and Sanskrit religious literature.

Sol. The statement that Buddhists and Jains were not allowed to build temples under the Chalukyas is incorrect. In reality, the Chalukyas, although primarily followers of Brahmanical Hinduism, were tolerant towards other religions, and patronized Buddhist and Jain institutions alongside Hindu temples, as evidenced by various archaeological sites.

Sol. The Chola administration is noted for its highly organized system, particularly at the village level. Elections were an essential part of local governance, where members were chosen for village assemblies, often held within temple premises. Big towns had independent institutions known as Tar-Kurrams that managed urban affairs. However, local institutions enjoyed considerable autonomy, contrary to the idea that they had very little autonomy.

Sol. Mihira Bhoja is considered the greatest ruler of the Pratiharas due to his successful military campaigns and the extent of his empire. His reign marked the peak of the Pratihara power, and he assumed the title ‘Adivaraha’ (boar incarnation of Vishnu), symbolizing his authority and divine right to rule.

Sol. The statement regarding Kavirajamarga is false because it was composed by Amoghavarsha I, not Indra III. Kavirajamarga is one of the earliest known works of Kannada literature, reflecting the cultural and literary achievements of the Rashtrakuta period.

Sol. Amoghavarsha I was a notable Rashtrakuta king known for his scholarly pursuits and literary contributions. He authored ‘Kavirajamarga,’ a landmark work in Kannada literature, and other works like ‘Ratnamalika’ and ‘Prashnottaramalika,’ showcasing his patronage of arts and learning.

Sol. Both the statements are not true regarding the Yadava period. Although the Yadava period witnessed cultural growth, there is no solid historical evidence linking famous mathematicians or astronomers’ families directly to the Yadava dynasty, nor is there any known figure named Anantadeva establishing a college of astronomy at Khandesh during Simhara’s rule.

Sol. The Pala dynasty, ruling over eastern India (mainly Bengal and Bihar), were great patrons of Mahayana Buddhism. They supported the establishment of significant Buddhist institutions such as Vikramashila and Nalanda, which became prominent centers for the propagation of Mahayana philosophy and tantric Buddhist practices.

Sol. The Pallavas were the first dynasty to initiate the Dravidian style of architecture, notably in South India. Their contributions include rock-cut temples like those at Mahabalipuram and early structural temples like the Shore Temple, setting the foundations for later Dravidian architectural developments under the Cholas and beyond.

Sol. Poet Ravikriti was associated with the court of Pulakeshin II, the renowned Chalukya ruler of Badami. Ravikriti composed the ‘Aihole Inscription,’ which extolled the achievements of Pulakeshin II, especially highlighting his victories and the glory of the Chalukya dynasty.

Sol. Rajendra I, the son of Rajaraja I, led an expedition to North India and achieved a symbolic victory by reaching the Ganga river. To commemorate this achievement, he assumed the title “Gangaikonda” (conqueror of the Ganges) and even built a new capital called Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

Sol. The correct matching is: Gupta – Deogarh (noted for the Vishnu temple), Chalukya – Badami (famous for rock-cut caves and temples), Chandella – Khajuraho (renowned for their group of Hindu and Jain temples), and Pallava – Panamalai (known for the Kailasanatha temple complex), accurately reflecting their architectural contributions.

Sol. In the Chola administration, the ‘Mandala Mudaliar’ referred to the provincial governor. Provinces, known as ‘Mandalam,’ were large administrative divisions under the Cholas, and the Mandala Mudaliar was responsible for the efficient governance, collection of revenue, and maintenance of law and order within these territories.

Sol. Chola society was complex and showed certain distinctive features: the traditional four fold varna system was largely absent or not rigidly followed, untouchability was practiced as seen through the segregation of certain social groups, and slavery was prevalent, with references to slave labor in temple and agricultural activities. These features highlight the social stratification and inequalities of the period.

Sol. The correct matching is: Harichandra – Pratiharas, Go Pala – Palas, Samantha Sena – Sena dynasty, and Upendra – Paramaras. This correctly associates each king with the respective dynasty they founded or prominently ruled, reflecting the political landscape of early medieval India.

Sol. The Rajputs’ political and social institutions during the early medieval period bore close resemblance to the feudal structures of medieval Europe. They emphasized personal loyalty, hereditary titles, and decentralized authority, which often led to internal divisions and inefficiencies, although they did not consistently act as a unified intellectual elite nor were they entirely free from mutual hostility.

Sol. The early medieval period in India witnessed significant changes: there was a notable extension of agriculture into new areas, leading to greater food production; forest dwellers migrated or were assimilated into agrarian society; and the emergence of peasant classes who played a vital role in the economy. These developments collectively transformed the socio-economic landscape of the time.

Sol. Among the pairs given, only Durgara, corresponding to the Jammu region, is correctly matched. Champaka refers to a region closer to modern-day Assam, not Central India, and Kuluta corresponds to the Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh, not the Malabar region of Kerala. Therefore, only the second pair is accurate.

Sol. Abul Fazl, the famous court historian of Emperor Akbar, refers to the discovery of America in his writings. His work ‘Ain-i-Akbari’ reflects a broad knowledge of contemporary global events, indicating an awareness of the European discoveries during the Age of Exploration.

Sol. Rajendra I, the son of Raja Raja I, completed the conquest of Sri Lanka. While Raja Raja I initiated the invasion, Rajendra I consolidated Chola power over the island and integrated it into the Chola Empire, marking a significant expansion of their territorial control.

Sol. The Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur, built by Rajaraja Chola I, is dedicated to Lord Shiva, not Lord Vishnu. It stands as a magnificent example of Chola architecture, constructed entirely of granite, showcasing the grandeur and technical expertise of Chola temple building.

Sol. Mahipala, a prominent Pratihara ruler, patronized the well-known poet Rajasekhara. Rajasekhara was a celebrated Sanskrit poet and dramatist, whose works provide valuable insights into the literary and cultural life during Mahipala’s reign.

Sol. The Ashokan inscriptions of the 3rd century BCE and the Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela from the 1st century BCE mention the three prominent tribal principalities of the far south as the Cholas, Pandyas, and Cheras. These dynasties played a significant role in the early political and cultural history of South India.

Sol. The correct chronological order of the rulers of Kashmir is: Avantivarman, Didda, Harsha, and Jayasimha. Avantivarman ruled in the 9th century and was succeeded in later periods by rulers like Didda, Harsha, and finally Jayasimha, each contributing differently to Kashmir’s political landscape.

Sol. The incorrect matchings are: Mahendravarman I did not build the Brihadeeswara temple at Thanjavur, which was constructed by Rajaraja Chola I; similarly, Rajaraja Chola did not build the Rathas of Mahabalipuram, which were created during the Pallava dynasty, specifically under Narasimhavarman I. The matches involving Narasimhavarman II and Nandivarman are correct.

Sol. The Brihadiswara Temple at Thanjavur was built by Rajaraja Chola I and is one of the most celebrated architectural achievements of the Chola dynasty. It stands as a testimony to their architectural prowess, religious devotion to Lord Shiva, and imperial grandeur.

Sol. The tripartite struggle among the Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas centered on the control of Kannauj, a highly strategic and wealthy city in Northern India. Dominance over Kannauj symbolized political supremacy in the early medieval Indian subcontinent.

Sol. In medieval India, the terms ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ referred to village headmen. These officials were responsible for local administration, collecting revenue, maintaining order, and representing the village in interactions with higher authorities. They held significant social and administrative importance in the rural framework.

Sol. Danti-durg, also known as Dantidurga, was the founder of the independent Rashtrakuta dynasty in the 8th century. He overthrew the Chalukyas of Badami and established Rashtrakuta rule in the Deccan, laying the foundation for a dynasty that would become a major power in early medieval India.

Sol. The statements that are not correct are: Pulakesin II did not perform a horse sacrifice, and the line of Western Chalukyas did not begin with Vishnuvardhana; instead, Vishnuvardhana founded the Eastern Chalukya dynasty. Pulakesin II’s achievements included defeating the Vishnukundins and establishing Chalukya sovereignty.

Sol. The Raja Rajeswara (Brihadiswara) Temple at Tanjore (Thanjavur) features an enormous Nandi statue, which is the second-largest monolithic Nandi in India. It exemplifies the grandeur and artistic excellence achieved under the Chola dynasty during the reign of Rajaraja I.

Sol. The correct chronological order is: Brihadisvara temple (early 11th century, Chola period), Hoysaleswara temple (12th century, Hoysala period), Lingaraja temple (later part of 11th century but earlier than Sun temple), and finally, Sun temple at Konark (13th century, Eastern Ganga dynasty). This sequence aligns with their respective periods of construction and dynastic patronage.