Daily Current Affairs (MCQ's) | 30-07-2022

Q1. Consider the following statements about the Chola Empire

1. Chola were feudatories of the Pallavas
2. Madurai was their capital

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer (a)

Explanation:

It was founded by Vijayalaya Chola who was a feudatory of the Pallavas. Tanjore or Thanjavur was their Capital city. Aditya Chola was the first great king, who also defeated the last of the Pallavas, Aparajitavarma. Parantaka I issued the famous Uttaramerur inscription that talks about the village administration under the Cholas.

The Rastrakuta and Chola dynastic wars began during his times. Krishna II of the Rashtrakutas was defeated by Parantaka in the Battle of Pullalur in 919. Krishna III of Rashtrakutas defeated and killed Parantaka in the Battle of Tukkonam in 939.

Q2. Consider the following statement about Chola administration

1. It was highly centralized polity leaving little autonomy to villages
2. Rajaraja Chola started the practice of appointing crown princes or Yuvaraj as the head of either revenue or military departments

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer (b)

Explanation:

Reforms by Rajaraja

1. He was the first to introduce the system of auditing the village He was not a lawmaker but a guardian of the law. It was a State with the least bureaucracy. However, it was a very democratic state. Autonomy was given to village assemblies and the local self-government was given importance.
2. He started the practice of appointing crown princes or Yuvaraj as the head of either revenue or military departments.
3. He was the first to issue Tamil inscriptions with detailed dynastic history.
4. He constructed the famous Brihadeswara or Rajarajeshwara temple at Tanjore, the biggest temple in India.

Q3. He defeated Mahipala of Bengal and took the title Gangaikonda (Conqueror of Ganges) and constructed the city Gangaikonda Cholapuram. He completely annexed Ceylon, destroyed the capital city of Suvarnadwipa (Indonesia) called Kadaram and took the title Kadramkonda.

The above passage is referring to

1. Rajendra Chola
2. Rajaraja Chola
3. Vijayalaya Chola
4. Parantaka I

Answer (a)

Explanation:

Rajendra Chola

1. He defeated Mahipala of Bengal and took the title Gangaikonda (Conqueror of Ganges) and constructed the city Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
2. He completely annexed Ceylon, destroyed the capital city of Suvarnadwipa (Indonesia) called Kadaram and took the title The main reason behind the naval expeditions of the Cholas was to exercise monopoly in trade with China.
3. He was also known as Panditachola.

Q4. Modern Visakhapatnam was founded by

1. Later Cholas
2. Cholas
3. Pallavas
4. Cheras

Answer (a)

Explanation:

Chola Chalukya Dynasty (Later Cholas)

1. Kulottanga Chola was the greatest of the dynasty. He sent a delegation of 72 merchants to He was a staunch follower of Saivism and persecuted Ramanujacharya, a great Vaishnava saint (the one who propounded Visista-Advaita).
2. He founded Kulottunga Cholapuram (modern Visakhapatnam). He introduced a gold coin in his name called Kulottangamada.

Q5. What was the meaning of Agrahara in context of medieval India?

1. A common village settlement for all castes
2. Village settlement of Brahmins
3. Villages around the temples
4. Settlements of merchants

Answer (b)

Explanation:

Chola Administration

The unique aspect of the administration was the absolute autonomy granted to the village assemblies. Cholas were called founding fathers of local self-governments. Perundrum was the Secretariat under the Cholas, headed by Olainayakam (Chief Secretary).

Village Administration was constituted by:

1. Ur – a common village settlement for all castes.
2. Agrahara – village settlement of Brahmins.
3. Brahmadeya – villages around the temples.
4. Nagara – settlements of merchants.

The Sabha was the Legislative Assembly. Elections were held for the village executive committees electing at least 30 members by means of a lottery system. The Executive Committee was answerable to the Sabha and would be in office for three years. The most important function of the executive committee was water distribution.

Q6. The Uttaramerur inscription linked to

1. Marriage codes of Satvahans
2. Religious Policy of Ashoka
3. Administration of the Cholas
4. Foreign Expedition of Krishna Deva Raya I

Answer (c)

Explanation:

Chola Administration

The Uttaramerur inscription talks about the election code- Candidates aged between 35yrs – 70yrs, educated, men of integrity and morals, first-time contestants and regular taxpayers were eligible to contest elections. Disqualifications included criminal background, men with immoral character and sons of Devadasis. Women were not allowed to contest elections.