Exercises Questions with Answers

EXERCISE

I. Choose the correct answer

1. Who among the following built the VaikundaPerumal temple?

a. Narasimhavarma II

b. Nandivarma II

c. Dantivarman

d. Parameshvaravarma

Answer: a. Narasimhavarma II

2. Which of the following titles were the titles of Mahendra Varma I?

a. Mattavilasa

b. Vichitra Chitta

c. Gunabara

d. all the three

Answer: d. all the three

3. Which of the following inscriptions describes the victories of Pulakesin II?

a. Aihole

b. Saranath

c. Sanchi

d. Junagath

Answer: a. Aihole

II Read the statement and tick the appropriate answer

1. Statement I: Pallava art shows transition from rock-cut monolithic structure to stone built temple.

Statement II: Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram is an example of Pallava art and architecture.

a. Statement I is wrong.

b. Statement II is wrong.

c. Both the statements are correct

d. Both the statements are wrong.

Answer: c. Both the statements are correct

2. Consider the following statement(s) about Pallava Kingdom.

Statement I: Tamil literature flourished under Pallava rule, with the rise in popularity of Thevaram composed by Appar.

StatementII: Pallava King Mahendravarman was the author of the play MattavilasaPrahasana.

a. I only

b. II only

c. Both I and II

d. Neither I nor II

Answer: b. II only

3. Consider the following statements about the Rashtrakuta dynasty and find out which of the following statements are correct.

1. It was founded by Dantidurga.

2. Amogavarsha wrote Kavirajmarga.

3. Krishna I built the Kailasanatha temple at Ellora.

a. 1only

b. 2 and 3

c. 1 and 3

d. all the three

Answer: d. all the three

4. Which of the following is not a correct pair?

a. Ellora caves - Rashtrakutas

b. Mamallapuram - Narasimhavarma I

c. Elephanta caves - Ashoka

d. Pattadakal – Chalukyas

Answer: c. Elephanta caves - Ashoka

5. Find out the wrong pair.

a. Dandin - Dasakumara Charitam

b. Vatsyaya - Bharathavenba

c. Bharavi - Kiratarjuneeyam

d. Amogavarsha - Kavirajamarga

Answer: b. Vatsyaya - Bharathavenba

III Fill in the blanks

1. Pulakesin II defeated Harsha Vardhana on the banks of the river Narmada.

2. Narasimhavarma I destroyed Vatapi and assumed the title VatapiKondan.

3. Ravikirti was the author of Aihole Inscription.

4. Paranjothi was the army general of Narasimhavarma I

5. The music inscriptions in Kudumianmalai and Thirumayam show Pallavas’ interest in music.

IV Match the following.

1. Pallavas - Kalyani

2. Eastern Chalukyas -Manyakheta

3. Western Chalukyas -Kanchi

4. Rashtrakutas- - Vengi

Answer:

1. Pallavas - Kanchi

2. Eastern Chalukyas - Vengi

3. Western Chalukyas - Kalyani

4. Rashtrakutas - Manyakheta

V State True or False

1. The famous musician Rudracharya lived during Mahendravarma I. (True)

2. The greatest king of the Rashtrakuta dynasty was Pulakesin II. (False)

3. Mamallapuram is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. (True)

4. Thevaram was composed by Azhwars. (False)

5. The Virupaksha temple was built on the model of Kanchi Kailasanatha Temple. (True)

VI Answer in one or two sentences

1. Name the three gems of Kannada literature.

The three gems of Kannada literature were Pampa, Sri Ponna and Ranna.

2. How can we classify the Pallava architecture?

Pallava architecture can be classified as

1. Rock-Cut temples - Mahendravarman style

2. Monolithic Rathas and Sculptural Mandapas -Mamallan style

3. Structural Temples - Rajasimhan style and Nandivarman style

3. What do you know of Gatika?

Gatika (monastery or centre of learning) at Kanchi was popular during the Pallava times and it attracted students from all parts of India and abroad.Vatsyaya who wrote Nyaya Bhashya was a teacher at Kanchi (Gatika).

4. Panchapandavar rathas are monolithic rathas. Explain.

The five rathas (chariots), popularly called Panchapandavar rathas, signify five different style of temple architecture. Each ratha has been carved out of a single rock. So they are called monolithic.

5. Make a note on Battle of Takkolam.

Krishna III (c. 939-967) was the last able ruler of Rashtrakuta dynasty. He defeated the Cholas in the battle of Takkolam (presently in Vellore District) and captured Thanjavur.

VII Answer the following

1. Examine Pallavas’ contributions to architecture.

Pallava period is known for architectural splendour. The Shore Temple and various other temples carved from granite monoliths and the Varaha cave (7th century) at Mamallapuram, are illustrious examples of Pallava architecture. In 1984, Mamallapuram was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Pallava architecture can be classified as

1. Rock-Cut temples - Mahendravarman style

2. Monolithic Rathas and Sculptural Mandapas - Mamallan style

3. Structural Temples - Rajasimhan style and Nandivarman style

2. Write a note on Elephanta island and Kailasanatha temple at Ellora.

Ellora: Kailasanatha Temple was one of the 30 temples carved out of the hill at Ellora. It was built during the reign of Krishna I. The temple is known for its architectural grandeur and sculptural splendour. The temple covers an area of over 60,000 sq. feet and vimanam (temple tower) rises to a height of 90 feet. This temple has resemblance to the shore temple at Mamallapuram. The Kailasanatha temple portrays typical Dravidian features.

Elephanta : Originally known as Sripuri and called Gharapuri by the local people, Elephanta is an island near Mumbai. The Portuguese named it as Elephanta, after seeing the huge image of an elephant. The Trimurthi (three-faced) Siva icon is an illustrative of the sculptural beauty portrayed in the Cave Temple of Elephanta. There are impressive images of dwarapalakas (entrance guards) at the entrance of the Temple.

VIII HOTs

1. Give an account on Western Chalukyas of Kalyani.

They were the descendants of Badami Chalukyas who ruled from Kalyani (modern-day Basavakalyan). In 973, Tailapa II, a feudatory of the Rashtrakuta ruling from Bijapur region defeated Parmara of Malwa. Tailapa II occupied Kalyani and his dynasty quickly grew into an empire under Somesvara I. Somesvara I moved the capital from Manyakheta to Kalyani.

IX Life Skills

1. Collect temple architecture pictures of Pallavas, Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas and identify the distinguishing features of each period.

2. Field Trip :

Plan a trip to any place of historical importance.

X Activity

a. Sketch the biography of Mahendravarma I and Pulakesin II.

b. See the picture and write a few sentences on it.

XI. Answer Grid

Give examples for the structural temples of Pallava period.

Ans: Kanchi Kailasanatha Temple

Who built the Kailasanatha temple at Ellora?

Ans: Krishna I

Name two Saivite saints and Vaishnavite saints who practised bhakticult during Pallava period?

Ans: Saivite: Appar, Manikka vasakar, Vaishnavite: Nammazhvar, Andal

Name the new style of architecture developed during Chalukya period.

Ans: Vesara

Name the sculptural mandapas of Mamallan style of architecture.

Ans: Open art gallery

Who was the founder of Rashtrakuta dynasty?

Ans: Dantidurga

What does Aihole inscription mention?

Ans: Defeat of Harsha Vardhana by Pulakesin II

Where do structural temples of Chalukya exist?

Ans: Aihole, Vadapi Pattadakal

What were the titles adopted by Narasimhavarma I?

Ans: Mamallan, Vatapi kondan