Exercises Questions with Answers

EXERCISE.

I. Choose the correct answer

1. Pattini cult in Tamil Nadu was introduced by __________________

a. Pandyan Neduncheliyan

b. Cheran Senguttuvan

c. Ilango Adigal

d. Mudathirumaran

Answer: b. CheranSenguttuvan

2. Which dynasty was not in power during the Sangam Age?

a. Pandyas

b. Cholas

c. Pallavas

d. Cheras

Answer: c. Pallavas

3. The rule of Pandyas was followed by _____________

a. Satavahanas

b. Cholas

c. Kalabhras

d. Pallavas

Answer: c. Kalabhras

4. The lowest unit of administration during the Sangam Age was______________

a. Mandalam

b. Nadu

c. Ur

d. Pattinam

Answer: c. Ur

5. What was the occupation of the inhabitants of the Kurinji region?

a. Plundering

b. Cattle rearing

c. Hunting and gathering

d. Agriculture

Answer: c. Hunting and gathering

II. Read the Statement and tick the appropriate answer

1. Assertion (A) : The assembly of the poets was known as Sangam.

Reason (R): Tamil was the language of Sangam literature.

a. Both A and R are true. R is the correct explanation of A.

b. Both A and R are true. R is not the correct explanation of A.

c. A is true but R is false.

d. Both A and R is not true.

Answer: b) Both A and R are true. R is not the correct explanation of A.

2. Which of the following statements are not true?

a. Karikala won the battle of Talayalanganam.

b. The Pathitrupathu provides information about Chera Kings.

c. The earliest literature of the Sangam age was written mostly in the form of prose.

a. 1 only

b. 1 and 3 only

c. 2 only

Answer: b) 1 and 3 only

3. The ascending order of the administrative division in the ancient Tamizhagam was

a. Ur˂ Nadu ˂ Kurram ˂ Mandalam

b. Ur ˂ Kurram ˂ Nadu ˂Mandalam

c. Ur ˂Mandalam ˂ Kurram ˂ Nadu

d. Nadu ˂ Kurram ˂ Mandalam ˂Ur

Answer: b) Ur < Kurram < Nadu < Mandalam

4. Match the following dynasties with the Royal Insignia

a. Chera - 1. Fish

b. Chola - 2. Tiger

c. Pandya - 3. Bow and arrow

A. 3  2  1

B. 1     2     3

C. 3   1  2

D. 2     1     3

Answer: A) 3 2 1

III. Fill in the blanks

1. The battle of Venni was won by Karikalan.

2. The earliest Tamil grammar work of the Sangam period was Tholkappiyam.

3. Karikalan built Kallanai across the river Kaveri.

4. The chief of the army was known as Thanaithalaivan.

5. Land revenue was called Irai.

IV. True or False

1. The singing bards of the Sangam age were called Irular. (False)

2. Caste system developed during the Sangam period. (False)

3. Kizhar was the village chief. (True)

4. Puhar was the general term for city. (False)

5. Coastal region was called Marudham. (False)

V. Match

a. Thennar    Cheras

b. Vanavar    Cholas

c. Senni        Velir

d. Adiyaman Pandyas

Answer:

a. Thennar  - Pandyas

b. Vanavar - Cheras

c. Senni - Cholas

d. Adiyaman  - Velir

VI. Answer in one or two sentences

1. Name any two literary sources to reconstruct the history of ancient Tamizhagam.

Ettuthogai (eight anthologies), Pathupattu (ten idylls), Pathinen Keezhkanakku.

2. What was Natukkal or Virakkal?

The ancient Tamils had a great respect for the heroes who died in the battlefield. The hero stones were erected to commemorate heroes who sacrificed their lives in war.

3. Name five thinais mentioned in the Sangam literature.

Kurinji, Mullai, Marutham, Neithal, Palai.

4. Name any two archaeological sites related to Sangam period.

Adichanallur, Arikamedu

5. Name the seven patrons (KadaiyeluVallalgal).

Pari, Kari, Ori, Pegan, Ay, Adiyaman, Nalli.

6. Name any three Tamil poetic works of Kalabhra period.

Tamil Navalar Charithai, Yaperunkalam and Periapuranam.

VII. Answer the following

1. Discuss the status of women in the Sangam Society.

There was no restriction for women in social life. There were learned and wise women. Forty women poets had lived and left behind their valuable works. Marriage was a matter of self-choice. However, chastity (karpu) was considered the highest virtue of women. Sons and daughters had equal shares in their parents' property.

VIII. HOTs

1. KarikalValavan is regarded as the greatest Chola king. Justify.

Karikal Valavan or Karikalan was the most famous of the Chola kings. He defeated the combined army of the Cheras, Pandyas and the eleven Velir chieftains who supported them at Venni, a small village in the Thanjavur region. He converted forests into cultivable lands. He built Kallanai (meaning a dam made of stone) across the river Kaveri to develop agriculture. The Pattinapaalai, a poetic work in the Pathinen- keezhkanakku, gives elaborate information of the trading activity during the rule of Karikalan.

2. The period of Kalabhra is not a dark age. Give reasons.

The Kalabhras had occupied the Tamil country for about two and half centuries. We have very little information about Kalabhras. They left neither artefacts nor monuments. But there is evidence of their rule in literary texts. The literary sources of this period include Tamil Navalar Charithai, Yaperunkalam and Periapuranam. Seevaka Chinthamani and Kundalakesi were also written during this period. In Tamizhagam, Jainism and Buddhism became prominent during this period. Introduction of Sanskrit and Prakrit languages had resulted in the development of a new script called Vattezhuththu. Many works under Pathinen Keezhkanakku were composed. Trade and commerce continued to flourish during this period. So the Kalabhra period is not a dark age, as it is portrayed.

IX. Map Work

1. Mark and colour the extent of Chera, Chola and Pandya empires on the river map of South India.

2. Mark the following places.

a. Korkai

b. Kaveripoompattinam

c. Musiri

d. Uraiyur

e. Madurai

X. Life skill

Collect and paste the pictures of landscape and find out the eco-region to which it belongs. Write the important crops grown and occupation of the people there.

XI Answer Grid

Mention two epics of the Sangam period.

Ans: Silapathikaram, Manimegalai

Name the two groups of officials who assisted the king.

Ans: Aimperunguzhu Enberaayam

Name any two women poets of the Sangam period.

Ans: Avvaiyar Ponmudiyar

Name any three major ports of Sangam age.

Ans: Muziri, Tondi Puhar, Korkai

What constituted Muthamizh?

Ans: Iyal, Isai, Naatakam

Silapathikaram was written by Ilango Adigal

Talayalanganam is related to which Pandya king?

Ans: Nedunchezhiyan

Which eco-region was called menpulam?

Ans: Marutham

The light houses in the ports are called __________

Ans: Kalangarai Illangusudar