Ancient Kingdoms of the South
Short Questions
1. Which three dynasties are mentioned in ancient literature?
Answer : Chera, Pandya, Chola
2. Which port in the Chera kingdom was famous for trade?
Answer : Muziris
3. Who founded the Satavahana dynasty?
Answer : Simuk
4. What was the capital of the Pandya kingdom?
Answer : Madurai
5. Which famous temple was built by Krishna Raja I of the Rashtrakuta dynasty?
Answer : Kailas Temple at Ellora
6. What was the capital of the Chalukya dynasty?
Answer : Badami (Vatapi)
7. Who defeated the Shaka king Nahpana?
Answer : Gautamiputra Satakarni
8. Which dynasty built the ratha temples of Mahabalipuram?
Answer : Pallava dynasty
9. Which inscription mentions the bravery of Gautamiputra Satakarni?
Answer : Nashik cave inscription
10. Which language was used for the poetic work ‘Gatha Saptashati’?
Answer : Maharashtri (Prakrit)
Long Questions
1. What were the main exports from the Muziris port?
Answer : Muziris was an important port in the Chera kingdom. It was famous for exporting spices, pearls, and precious stones to Rome and other western countries.
2. Why was Gautamiputra Satakarni called ‘Tri-samudra-toya-peet-vahana’?
Answer : This title means “One whose horses have drunk the water of three seas.” It refers to his rule over a vast empire extending to the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean.
3. What were the achievements of Mahendravarman?
Answer : Mahendravarman was a Pallava ruler known for expanding his kingdom. He was also a playwright and supported art and architecture. His reign saw the construction of the rock-cut ratha temples at Mahabalipuram.
4. What was the importance of Naneghat during the Satavahana period?
Answer : Naneghat was a mountain pass used for trade between the Konkan coast and the Deccan Plateau. It had inscriptions of Satavahana kings, and many donations by their rulers were recorded in cave inscriptions there.
5. How did trade flourish during the Satavahana period?
Answer : Indian trade increased greatly under the Satavahanas. Important trade centers like Paithan, Ter, and Kolhapur emerged. Indian goods, including textiles and spices, were exported as far as Rome.
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