SIN-Education


1. Where have the fossils of early humans been found dating back about 2.6 million years? Ans: Africa
2. Which site in Maharashtra suggests the appearance of early humans in India around 1.4 million years ago? Ans: Bori
3. When did modern humans (Homo sapiens) first appear in India? Ans: Around 70,000 years ago
4. What tools did early humans in India use during the Stone Age? Ans: Tools of stone roughly dressed by crude clipping
5. In which period did the Palaeolithic culture of India develop? Ans: Pleistocene period or the ice age
6. Who was the first to discover a Palaeolithic site in India? Ans: Robert Bruce Foote
7. What type of tools did Palaeolithic men use? Ans: Unpolished, rough stones
8. What were the tools of Palaeolithic men mostly made of? Ans: Quartzite
9. What are the three phases of the Palaeolithic Age? Ans: Early or Lower Palaeolithic, Middle Palaeolithic, Upper Palaeolithic
10. What is the transitional phase between the Palaeolithic Age and the Neolithic Age? Ans: Mesolithic Age
11. Which sites provide the earliest evidence for the domestication of animals during the Mesolithic Age? Ans: Adamgarh in Madhya Pradesh and Bagor in Rajasthan
12. Which site is a striking site of Pre-historic painting of the Mesolithic Age? Ans: Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh
13. Which Neolithic site in India revealed that dogs were buried with their masters? Ans: Burzahom
14. What was the first metal to be used during the Chalcolithic culture? Ans: Copper
15. Which site is the oldest Neolithic site in India? Ans: Mehargarh in Baluchistan
16. Which civilization is one of the four earliest civilizations of the world along with Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China? Ans: Indus Valley Civilization
17. In which age does the Indus Valley Civilization belong? Ans: Bronze Age
18. What is the mature phase period of the Indus Valley Civilization? Ans: 2600-1900 BC
19. Who discovered Harappa in 1921? Ans: Dayaram Sahni
20. What term did John Marshall coin for the civilization that flourished along the Indus river? Ans: Indus Valley Civilization
21. Which site is considered the oldest Harappan site according to recent discoveries? Ans: Bhirrana
22. Which city had six granaries in a row found in its citadel? Ans: Harappa
23. What was the backbone of the Indus Valley Civilization? Ans: Agriculture
24. Which site revealed the worlds first ploughed field? Ans: Kalibangan
25. What was the primary basis for trade in the Indus Valley Civilization? Ans: Barter system
26. Which town is known for its artificial dockyard in the Indus Valley Civilization? Ans: Lothal
27. Which metal was first used during the end of the Neolithic period? Ans: Copper
28. Which deity is represented in a terracotta figure with a plant growing out of a womans embryo? Ans: Mother Goddess
29. What practice is indicated by fire altars found at Lothal and Kalibangan? Ans: Fire worship
30. What was the writing style of the Indus script? Ans: Boustrophedon
31. Which Harappan site is known for its factory for stone tools and metallic finished goods? Ans: Lothal
32. What was the most represented symbol in the Indus script? Ans: Fish symbol
33. Which site is known for pearl finished goods, bangle, and shell industry? Ans: Balakot
34. What type of pottery was popular among the Chalcolithic people? Ans: Black and red pottery
35. Which Harappan site is known for megalithic burial? Ans: Dholavira
36. What did the Indus people use for protection against ghosts and evil forces? Ans: Amulets
37. What is the chief male deity represented in the seals of the Indus Valley Civilization? Ans: Pashupati Mahadeva (Proto-Shiva)
38. Which symbol, originating in the Indus Valley Civilization, is commonly associated with auspiciousness in Indian culture? Ans: Swastika
39. Which site in the Indus Valley Civilization is associated with a double burial practice? Ans: Lothal
40. Which geographical feature played a crucial role in the fertility of the Indus Valley Civilizations agricultural lands? Ans: River Indus
41. What kind of tools did the Harappans use for agriculture? Ans: Wooden ploughshare and stone sickles
42. What was the primary material used for making houses in the Indus Valley Civilization? Ans: Burnt bricks
43. Which animals were domesticated by the Indus people? Ans: Buffaloes, oxens, sheep, asses, goats, pigs, elephants, dogs, and cats
44. Which town in the Indus Valley Civilization was known for beads and bangles factory? Ans: Chanhudaro
45. Which archaeological find from Mohenjodaro is identified as a dancing girl? Ans: Bronze image
46. What indicates the existence of street lighting in the Indus Valley Civilization? Ans: Lamp-posts erected at regular intervals
47. What does the word "Aryan" literally mean? Ans: Of high birth
48. Which region is most accepted as the original homeland of the Aryans? Ans: Central Asia
49. The Aryans settled in which region after migrating from Central Asia? Ans: Eastern Afghanistan, modern Pakistan, and Punjab
50. What is the region known as where Aryans settled? Ans: The land of seven rivers or "Sapta Sindhu"
51. Which inscription mentions four Vedic Gods and supports the Central Asian theory? Ans: Boghazkai Inscription
52. Which period is referred to as the Rigvedic or Early Vedic Period? Ans: 1500-1000 BC
53. What was the primary occupation of the Rigvedic Aryans? Ans: Pastoralism
54. In Rig Veda, what term was used for war? Ans: Gavishthi or search for cows
55. Which animal was the most important form of wealth for the Rigvedic Aryans? Ans: Cow
56. What was the standard unit of exchange in Rigvedic times? Ans: Cow
57. Who was the head of the tribal polity in Rigvedic society? Ans: The king or Rajan
58. What was the Samiti in the Rigvedic period? Ans: The National Assembly of the people
59. Who was the most important functionary assisting the king in Rigvedic society? Ans: The Purohita, the religious advisor of the king
60. What was the basis of societys structure in Rigvedic times? Ans: Kinship
61. What term was used for the tribe in Rigvedic society? Ans: Jana or Vis
62. What was the main economic activity of the Later Vedic Age? Ans: Agriculture
63. What type of pottery is characteristic of the Later Vedic Age? Ans: Painted Grey Ware
64. Who became the supreme God in the Later Vedic Age? Ans: Prajapati
65. Which text refers to the theory of divine origin of kingship? Ans: Taittariya Brahmana
66. What system was formed to attain four purusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha)? Ans: The Ashram system
67. Which Upanishad gives the earliest reference to the four ashramas? Ans: Jabala Upanishada
68. Which was the most important Brahmana attached to the Yajur Veda? Ans: Shatapatha Brahmana
69. Which Veda is known as the collection of melodies? Ans: Sama Veda
70. Which mandala of the Rig Veda contains the Gayatri Mantra? Ans: IIIrd Mandala
71. Who was the author of Mahabharata? Ans: Ved Vyas
72. What does the word "Veda" come from? Ans: Vid, meaning to know or knowledge
73. What is the period of 800 BC to 500 BC known as? Ans: Period of Upanishadas
74. Which is the oldest Upanishad? Ans: Vrihadaranyaka Upanishad
75. Which text contains the famous Purushasukta hymn? Ans: The Xth Mandala of Rig Veda
76. Which term first appeared in the Later Vedic Age indicating territory? Ans: Rashtra
77. What does "Nyaya" in the Shad-Darshanas refer to? Ans: The system of Hindu philosophy given by Gautama
78. Who wrote Ashtadhyayi on Vyakarana? Ans: Panini
79. Which Upaveda deals with the art of warfare? Ans: Dhanurveda
80. What was the primary reason for the Dasarajna War? Ans: A dispute between Vashistha and Visvamitra
81. Which Vedic text refers to the migration of Videha Madhava? Ans: Satapatha Brahmana
82. Who performed the Rajasuya ritual? Ans: The king to strengthen his influence
83. Which period is known for the emergence of the Painted Grey Ware phase? Ans: Later Vedic Age (1000-600 BC)
84. Who were the artisans and laborers in the four Varnas? Ans: Sudras
85. Who were the primary agriculturalists in the Vedic society? Ans: Vaishyas
86. What did the Gavyuti measure in Rigvedic times? Ans: Distance
87. What was the primary source of wealth in the Rigvedic economy? Ans: Cow
88. Who was considered the God of plants in Rigvedic religion? Ans: Soma
89. Which Vedic text deals with the procedures for the performance of sacrifices? Ans: Yajur Veda
90. Who was the preserver and protector of people in the Later Vedic Age? Ans: Vishnu
91. What term was used to denote the National Assembly of the people in Rigvedic polity? Ans: Samiti
92. Who was the head of the army in Rigvedic society? Ans: Senani
93. What was the term used for the Council of Elders in Rigvedic society? Ans: Sabha
94. Which Veda is known as "the first testament of mankind"? Ans: Rig Veda
95. Which period is referred to as the Later Vedic Age? Ans: 1000-600 BC
96. What does "Vedanta" denote? Ans: The last phase of Vedic period
97. Which territorial states were formed due to the use of iron implements in Eastern UP and Bihar in the 6th century BC? Ans: Large territorial states
98. What helped in the formation of large territorial states in Eastern UP and Bihar in the 6th century BC? Ans: Material advantages brought about by the use of iron implements
99. What did the use of iron tools in agriculture produce that could be taxed by the princes? Ans: Surplus
100. In which century did many Janapadas spring up, the larger of which were called Mahajanapadas? Ans: 6th century BC
101. Which Buddhist literature mentions the list of 16 Mahajanapadas? Ans: Anguttara Nikaya of Suttapitaka and Mahavastu
102. Which Jain literature mentions the list of 16 Mahajanapadas? Ans: Bhagavati Sutta
103. Which of the following was a Non-Monarchial/Republican State? Ans: Kamboj
104. Which of the following was a Monarchical State? Ans: Anga
105. Where did people in the Mahajanapadas period own stronger allegiance? Ans: To the Janapada or territory
106. What was the southernmost Mahajanapada? Ans: Asmaka
107. Which clan was Vatsa earlier a part of? Ans: Kuru clan
108. Vajji was a confederacy of how many republican clans? Ans: Eight
109. Among the Vajji confederacy, which clan was prominent? Ans: Lichchhavis
110. What was the ruling class of the republican states? Ans: Tribal oligarchies
111. Which Mahajanapada is said to be the oldest republic in the world? Ans: Lichchhavis
112. Who was the vice-king in the administration of the Mahajanapadas? Ans: Uparaja
113. Which Mahajanapada had its capital at Taxila? Ans: Gandhara
114. Which Mahajanapada had its capital at Champa? Ans: Anga
115. What were the capitals of Magadha? Ans: Girivraj, Rajagriha, Patliputra, Vaishali
116. Where was the capital of Kasi located? Ans: Varanasi
117. Which Mahajanapada had its capital at Vaishali? Ans: Vajji
118. Which Mahajanapada had its capitals at Kusinagara and Pava? Ans: Malla
119. Which Mahajanapada had its capital at Sothivati-nagar or Shuktimati? Ans: Chedi
120. Which Mahajanapada had its capital at Kaushambi? Ans: Vatsa
121. Where was the capital of Kuru located? Ans: Hastinapur and Indraprastha
122. Who were the founders of the Magadha Empire? Ans: Jarasandha and Brihadratha
123. During which period did Magadha emerge as the most powerful kingdom in North India? Ans: 6th century BC to 4th century BC
124. Under which dynasty did Magadha reach its zenith? Ans: Mauryas
125. What natural resource contributed to Magadhas effective weapon preparation? Ans: Iron
126. What was the capital city built by Bimbisara? Ans: Rajgir (Girivraja)
127. Who was the first king to have a standing army in Magadha? Ans: Bimbisara
128. Which dynasty did Bimbisara belong to? Ans: Haryanka Dynasty
129. How did Ajatashatru come to power? Ans: By killing his father, Bimbisara
130. What significant event in Buddhism occurred during Ajatashatrus reign? Ans: The First Buddhist Council
131. Who was the last ruler of the Nanda Dynasty? Ans: Dhanananda
132. Which foreign conqueror penetrated well into India and destroyed the city of Capisa? Ans: Cyrus of Persia
133. Which script was introduced to India due to Iranian influence? Ans: Kharoshthi script
134. Which Greek ruler invaded India and fought the Battle of Hydaspas? Ans: Alexander the Great
135. Which ruler built the fort of Pataliputra? Ans: Udayin
136. Who was the first Tirthankara of Jainism? Ans: Rishabhnath
137. Where did Vardhaman Mahavira attain Kaivalya? Ans: Jimbhikagrama
138. Which sect of Jainism insists on complete nudity as an essential practice? Ans: Digambaras
139. Who was the founder of the Nanda Dynasty? Ans: Mahapadmananda
140. Which dynasty was the first non-Kshatriya dynasty of Magadha? Ans: Nanda Dynasty
141. Which battle did Alexander fight against Porus? Ans: Battle of Hydaspas
142. Who succeeded Shishunaga in the Shishunaga Dynasty? Ans: Kalashoka
143. Which Jain text was written by Bhadrabahu in Sanskrit? Ans: Kalpasutra
144. Which event marked the beginning of the second Urbanisation in India? Ans: The rise of Buddhism and Jainism
145. Who led the Jain exodus to the Deccan during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya? Ans: Bhadrabahu
146. Where did Alexander establish Greek settlements in India? Ans: Kabul and Sind
147. Which Prakrit language were the Jain texts compiled in? Ans: Ardhumagadhi Prakrit
148. Which Magadha ruler was known as "The first empire builder of Indian History"? Ans: Mahapadmananda
149. Who was the contemporary of Gautama Buddha and Mahavira? Ans: Bimbisara
150. Who destroyed Vaishali after a protracted war of sixteen years? Ans: Ajatashatru
151. Who convened the second Buddhist Council in Vaishali? Ans: Kalashoka
152. Who was the last ruler of the Nanda Dynasty? Ans: Dhanananda
153. Which Magadha ruler was succeeded by weak rulers Anuruddha, Munda, and Naga Dasak? Ans: Udayin
154. Who was referred to as Agrammes or Xandrames in Greek texts? Ans: Dhanananda
155. Who defeated Anga King Brahmadatta? Ans: Bimbisara
156. Who was known as the sovereign ruler or "Ekarat"? Ans: Mahapadmananda
157. Who was the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism? Ans: Parsavanath
158. Who moved the capital from Rajgriha to Pataliputra? Ans: Udayin
159. Who was Alexanders ally after the Battle of Hydaspas? Ans: Porus
160. Who was the founder of the Mauryan dynasty? Ans: Chandragupta Maurya
161. Who was the ruler of Taxila during Alexanders invasion? Ans: Ambhi
162. Which Magadha ruler was known as "Ugrasena"? Ans: Mahapadmananda
163. Who was the president of the second Buddhist Council? Ans: Sabakami
164. Which river was the fort of Rajagriha built on? Ans: Ganges
165. Who succeeded Shishunaga and transferred the capital from Vaishali to Pataliputra? Ans: Kalashoka
166. Who destroyed the Pradyota dynasty of Avanti? Ans: Shishunaga
167. Who was the ruler of Gandhara during Bimbisaras reign? Ans: Pukku Sati
168. Who married Prasenjits sister Mahakosaladevi? Ans: Bimbisara
169. Which Magadha ruler sent his personal physician to cure the Avanti king of jaundice? Ans: Bimbisara
170. Which Magadha ruler adopted an aggressive policy of expansion? Ans: Ajatashatru
171. Who is referred to as "Jaina" or "Jitendriya"? Ans: Vardhaman Mahavira
172. Which text suggests that Mauryas were connected with the Nandas and were called Vrishal/Kulhina? Ans: Mudrarakshasa
173. According to Buddhist tradition, what was Chandraguptas clan? Ans: Kshatriya (Sakya clan)
174. Which text indicates that Mauryas might have been of Vaishya origin? Ans: Junagarh rock inscription of Rudradaman
175. Who was the author of Arthashashtra? Ans: Kautilya (Chanakya or Vishnugupta)
176. Which text provides information about Ashokas expeditions to Taxila? Ans: Ashoka vadana and Divyavadana
177. Which Sri Lankan chronicles detail Ashokas role in spreading Buddhism? Ans: Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa
178. Which text provides insights into the socio-economic conditions of the Mauryan period? Ans: Jatakas
179. Which biography of Chanakya details Chandraguptas conversion to Jainism? Ans: Sthaviravali Charita or Parisisthaparvan
180. Which text by Vishakhadatta provides an account of how Chandragupta overthrew the Nandas? Ans: Mudrarakshasa
181. Which Greek ambassador was sent to the court of Chandragupta Maurya? Ans: Megasthenese
182. What did Ashoka’s edicts emphasize? Ans: Truth, non-violence, and tolerance
183. Who was the last Mauryan ruler? Ans: Brihadratha
184. Which Greek general did Chandragupta Maurya defeat? Ans: Selucus Nikator
185. What was the capital of the Mauryan dynasty? Ans: Pataliputra
186. Which Mauryan ruler extended the kingdom to the Peninsular region of India? Ans: Bindusara
187. Which Buddhist text states that Ashoka killed his 99 brothers to usurp the throne? Ans: Dipavamsa
188. Who was the Greek ambassador sent to Bindusaras court? Ans: Deimachus
189. Which Mauryan ruler embraced Jainism and went to Chandragiri hill? Ans: Chandragupta Maurya
190. What was the primary language of Ashokas edicts? Ans: Prakrit
191. Who deciphered Ashokas edicts in 1837? Ans: James Princep
192. Which sect did Bindusara patronize? Ans: Ajivika sect
193. What was the alternative name for Bindusara mentioned in Chinese texts? Ans: Vindupala
194. Which inscription suggests that Mauryas might have been of Vaishya origin? Ans: Junagarh rock inscription of Rudradaman
195. What was the significance of the pillar Edict VII? Ans: It was the last edict to be issued by Ashoka.
196. Who established the Shunga dynasty after assassinating the last Mauryan ruler? Ans: Pushyamitra Shunga
197. Where did Chandragupta Maurya die of slow starvation? Ans: Sravanbelagola
198. What was the name of the Greek general defeated by Chandragupta Maurya? Ans: Selucus Nikator
199. Who was the author of the Arthashashtra? Ans: Kautilya (Chanakya or Vishnugupta)
200. What was Ashokas role before becoming the emperor? Ans: Governor of Taxila and Ujjain
201. What was the main language used in Ashokas edicts in the North-West region? Ans: Kharoshthi
202. Which Mauryan ruler is credited for conquering the land between the two seas? Ans: Bindusara
203. What did Ashoka introduce from the 11th year of his reign? Ans: Dhammayatras
204. Which rulers inscription was found at Girnar besides Ashokas? Ans: Skandagupta and Rudradaman
205. Who sent sweet wine and dried figs to Bindusara? Ans: Antiochus I
206. Which Mauryan ruler defeated Selucus Nikator? Ans: Chandragupta Maurya
207. Who was the crown prince in the Mauryan administration? Ans: Yuvaraj
208. What was the main purpose of Ashokas Dhamma? Ans: To build up an attitude of social responsibility and preserve the social order
209. What was the role of Dhamma Mahamatras under Ashokas reign? Ans: Officers of righteousness spreading the message of Dhamma
210. Where did Chandragupta Maurya defeat the last Nanda ruler? Ans: Pataliputra
211. What was the emblem of the Indian Republic adopted from? Ans: The lion capital of Ashokan pillar at Sarnath
212. Who succeeded the Mauryans in North-West India? Ans: Ruling dynasties from Central Asia
213. Who were the native rulers after the Mauryans in the Eastern, central, and Deccan regions of India? Ans: Shungas, Kanvas, Satvahanas
214. Who were the first to invade India after the Mauryans? Ans: Indo-Greeks
215. Who was the most famous Indo-Greek ruler? Ans: Menander
216. Where was Menanders capital located? Ans: Sakala (modern Sialkot in Punjab)
217. Which book records the conversations between Menander and Nagasena? Ans: Milindapanho or "the questions of Milinda"
218. Which rulers were the first in India to issue coins attributed to the kings? Ans: Indo-Greeks
219. What art form was introduced by the Greek rule in the North-West frontier of India? Ans: Gandhara art
220. Which term for astrology in Sanskrit is derived from the Greek term "horoscope"? Ans: Horshastra
221. Who followed the Greeks in invading India? Ans: Shakas or Scythians
222. Which king of Ujjain called himself Vikramaditya? Ans: The king who defeated the Shakas
223. What era is recorded from Vikramadityas victory over the Shakas? Ans: Vikram Samvat
224. Who was the most famous Shaka ruler in India? Ans: Rudradaman
225. Who repaired the Sudarshan lake in the semi-arid zone of Kathiawar? Ans: Rudradaman
226. Which ruler constructed the Sudarshana Lake? Ans: Pushyagupta, the Governor of Saurashtra
227. Who constructed a dam on the Sudarshana Lake during Ashokas reign? Ans: Tushasp
228. Who were the Parthians originally? Ans: Residents of Iran
229. Which famous Parthian king reigned when St Thomas came to India? Ans: Gondophernes
230. Who replaced the Greeks and Parthians in India? Ans: Kushanas
231. Who founded the first Kushana dynasty? Ans: Kujala Kad-phises
232. Who issued gold coins in India among the Kushanas? Ans: Wima Kadphises
233. Who was the most famous Kushana ruler? Ans: Kanishka
234. Which era did Kanishka start in AD 78? Ans: Saka era
235. Where was the fourth Buddhist Council held under Kanishkas patronage? Ans: Kashmir
236. Who was the chairman of the fourth Buddhist Council? Ans: Vasumitra
237. Who was the last Kushana ruler? Ans: Vasudeva I
238. What phase registered a distinct advance in building activities during the post-Mauryan period? Ans: Shaka-Kushana phase
239. Who controlled the famous silk route in Central Asia? Ans: Kanishka
240. Which schools of art arose during the Kushana empire? Ans: Gandhara and Mathura Schools of Art
241. What does the Gandhara School of Art exhibit? Ans: Influence of Greek and Roman art
242. What did the Mathura School of Art specialize in? Ans: Nude, seminude figures of female, Yakshinis or Apsara in an erotic pose
243. Who founded the Shunga dynasty? Ans: Pushyamitra Shunga
244. Who conducted two Ashvamedha Yajnas during the Shunga dynasty? Ans: Pushyamitra Shunga
245. Which king is the hero of Kalidasa Malvikagnimitram? Ans: Shunga king Agnimitra
246. What marked the revival of Hindu culture during the Shunga period? Ans: The Shunga dynasty
247. Who founded the Kanva dynasty? Ans: Vasudeva
248. Which Andhra king killed the last ruler of the Kanva dynasty? Ans: Simuka
249. Which dynasty third rulers inscription provides information about the Cheti dynasty of Kalinga? Ans: The Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela
250. Who was the founder of the Satavahana dynasty? Ans: Simuka
251. Who was the greatest ruler of the Satavahana dynasty? Ans: Gautamiputra Satakarni
252. What title did Gautamiputra Satakarni assume? Ans: Raja-raja and Maharaja
253. Who defeated the Satavahana king Vasishthiputra Sri Satkarni twice? Ans: Saka Satrap Rudradaman
254. Which dynasty did Harsha belong to? Ans: Pushyabhuti/Vardhana dynasty
255. Who was the first important ruler of the Pushyabhuti dynasty? Ans: Prabhakar Vardhana
256. Who succeeded Prabhakar Vardhana? Ans: Rajyavardhan
257. Who murdered Grahavarman, the Maukhari ruler of Kannauj? Ans: Devagupta
258. In which year did Harsha ascend the throne? Ans: AD 606
259. What was Harsha also known as? Ans: Siladitya
260. Which city did Harsha make his capital? Ans: Kannauj
261. Who was Harsha defeated by in the Deccan? Ans: Pulakesin-II
262. Which Chinese pilgrim visited India during Harshas period? Ans: Hiuen Tsang
263. What was the revenue of Harsha divided into? Ans: Four parts
264. Where did Harsha hold two important assemblies? Ans: Kannauj and Prayaga
265. Who usurped the throne after Harshas death? Ans: Arunashva
266. Which university did Harsha grant revenue for maintenance? Ans: Nalanda University
267. Which regions did Harsha bring under his control? Ans: Punjab, Kannauj, Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa
268. What was the struggle for supremacy between the Palas, Gurjara-Pratihara, and Rashtrakutas known as? Ans: Tripartite Struggle
269. Which style of architecture was started by the Chalukyas? Ans: Vesara/Deccan Style
270. Which temple is an example of Pallava Art/Dravida Style? Ans: Shore Temple at Mamallapuram
271. Which rock-cut temple was built by Krishna I? Ans: Kailash temple of Ellora
272. Which temple is an example of Hoyasalas Style? Ans: Temple of Hoyasaleshwar at Dwarsamudra
273. What is Sangam Literature associated with? Ans: A college or assembly of Tamil scholars and poets
274. Who is considered the father of Tamil literature? Ans: Agastya
275. Which Sangam work is known as the Fifth Veda or Bible of the Tamil land? Ans: Tirukkural or Kural
276. Which epic deals with the love story of Kovalan and Madhavi? Ans: Silappadikaram
277. Which epic is a sequel to Silappadikaram? Ans: Manimekalai
278. Who revived the Chola empire in the AD 9th century? Ans: Vijayalaya
279. Which Chola king built the Rajarajeshwara temple at Tanjore? Ans: Rajaraja I
280. Which Chola king defeated the Pala king Mahipala? Ans: Rajendra I
281. Which Chola king was the last ruler of the dynasty? Ans: Rajendra III
282. What was the Chola empire divided into for administration? Ans: Mandalams and valadus
283. Which period saw the creation of the dancing figure of Shiva called Nataraja? Ans: Chola period
284. Which important temple is an example of Chola architecture? Ans: Vijayala-Choleshwar temple
285. Which God was first worshipped in Western India according to Vaishnavism? Ans: Lord Vasudeva
286. Who is Shiva identified with in the Rig Veda? Ans: Rudra
287. Which is the oldest idol of Shiva excavated from Renugunta in Andhra Pradesh? Ans: Gundimallam linga
288. Who founded the Pasupatal cult? Ans: Lakulisa
289. Which cult worships Goddesses Sitala and Kali? Ans: Aghoris
290. Who propounded the Kanphata or Gora khnati cult? Ans: Gorakhnath
291. Which temple was built by Krishna I of the Rashtrakutas? Ans: Kailasa temple of Ellora
292. Which Chola king permitted the Shailendra king to build the Churamani Buddhist Vihara at Nagapattanam? Ans: Rajaraja I