Challenge Prelims V1.0 – Day 31 – GS Paper (Ancient History)

1. With reference to the Sangam assemblies, consider the following statements:

1. They were patronized by Pandya kings.
2. They were held in Madurai.
3. The main language used was Malayalam.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

2. Which of the following text is also known as Tamil Veda?

3. With reference to Thirukkural, consider the following statements:

1. It is one of the Patinenkeezhkkanakku (“Eighteen Ethical Works”) in Tamil literature
2. It was composed as a commentary to the Sangam literature.
3. It is divided into three parts related to virtue, government and love.

How many of the statements given above is/are not correct?

4. Of the second Sangam, it is the only surviving work. It is a work on Tamil grammar but it also provides information on the political and socio-economic conditions of the Sangam period.

Which work is being described in the above-given paragraph?

5. The physiographic division of the ancient Tamizhakam is referred to as “Tinai”. With reference to the “Tinai” system consider the following statements:

1. The Kurinji Tinai tract was inhabited by the hunting tribes such as vedar and parayar.
2. Each Tinai tract had a specific deity as well as a tree associated with it.
3. The Sangam text Tolkapiyyam explicitly mentions five “Tinais” in the ancient Tamizhakam.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

6. In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs:

Term: Description

1. Vellalar: Large landowners
2. Uzhavar: Slaves
3. Adimai: Ploughmen

How many of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

7. In the context of Sangam Age, the term “enadi” refers to:

8. The terms akam and puram refer to types of:

9. With reference to the Tamil Sangam age, the term ‘Puranaruru’ refers to

10. Consider the following statements with respect to Sangam literature:

1. Sangam texts were predominantly secular in nature.
2. Sangam poems describe the military exploits of the kings and chiefs.
3. Sangam literature provides information about trade with Yavanas (foreigners).

How many of the statements given above is/are not correct?

11. In the context of Sangam literature, consider the following statements:

1. All the three Sangams were patronized by Pandya rulers.
2. The poets of sangam literature were only men drawn from all classes in society and they were richly rewarded for their compositions.
3. The compositions of the first Sangam include Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku and the two epics Silappathigaram and Manimegalai.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

12. With reference to the social organization of the Sangam age, consider the following statements:

1. The rich people lived in houses of brick and mortar, while the poor lived in huts.
2. The women were given the freedom to choose their life partners.
3. Custom of Sati was practiced by women from all classes.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

13. With reference to the Pandya dynasty during the Sangam age, consider the following statements:

1. The Pandyas are mentioned by Megasthenes in his texts and highlighted the matriarchal influence on the Pandya society.
2. The Pandya territory occupied the southernmost part of the Indian peninsula, with its capital at Kaveripattanam.
3. The Pandya kings profited from trade with the Roman empire

How many of the statements given above is/are not correct?

14. With reference to social conditions during Sangam age, which of the following statements is not correct?

15. With reference to the Tamil Sangam literature texts and their themes, consider the following pairs:

1. Tolkkappiyam: Philosophy and wise maxims
2. Tirukkural: Grammar and poetics
3. Manimekalai: Adventures of Kovalan and Madhavi’s daughter
4. Silappadikaram: Story between Kovila, Kannagi and Madhavi

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?