Early South Indian Kingdoms

During the Chola period (9th-13th century), rice was the primary medium of exchange in rural areas due to its central role in the agrarian economy. The fertile regions of Tamil Nadu produced abundant rice, making it a standard for trade and tribute payment in villages.

In the Chola administrative system, 'Kalam' referred to a unit of measurement for grains, approximately 60-70 kilograms. It was used for assessing land revenue based on agricultural produce. The land itself was measured in units like 'ma' or 'veli', while kalam was specifically for grain weight.

Musiri was the primary port city of the Chera dynasty, located on the banks of the Kaveri River. It served as a crucial center for maritime trade with the Roman Empire and other foreign powers during the Sangam age.

Kalankaik Kanni Narmudichera (also written as Kalangaik Kanninarmudichera) is specifically mentioned in Sangam literature with these unique epithets referring to his distinctive headgear made of fibre and the Kalangay (a type of ornament) festoon.

Tolkappiyam is the earliest Tamil grammatical work written by Tolkappiyar, not an epic. The other options - Manimegalai, Sivaga Chintamani, and Silappadikaram - are three of the five great Tamil epics (Aimperumkappiyangal).

The Chola administrative hierarchy in descending order was: Mandalam (province) → Valanadu (division) → Nadu (district) → Khurram (village assembly). This four-tier system organized the empire efficiently for governance and revenue collection.

Krishna III of the Rashtrakuta dynasty defeated the Chola king Parantaka I (also known as Parantak Chola I) in the Battle of Takkolam around 949 CE. This was a significant victory that temporarily halted Chola expansion in northern Tamil Nadu.

The Dravidian style of temple architecture is characterized by the 'Vimana', which is the structure over the sanctum sanctorum, often pyramidal in shape.

Rajendra I maintained friendly diplomatic relations with Khemar (or Suryavarman I), the ruler of the Khmer empire in Cambodia. This relationship is evidenced by the mention of the Chola-Khmer alliance in inscriptions and the cultural exchange between the two kingdoms.

The Chola rulers, particularly Rajaraja I and Rajendra I, commemorated their military victories by constructing magnificent temples such as the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple. These temples served as enduring monuments to their power and patronage of arts and architecture.

Rajendra I invaded the Shailendra empire (Srivijaya empire) in Southeast Asia primarily to protect and promote the interests of Indian traders in the region and to facilitate trade with China. The Chola naval expedition of 1025-1026 CE targeted ports controlled by the Shailendras that were hindering Indian trade.

The ascending order (smallest to largest) of Chola administrative units was: Kurrams (village assemblies) → Nadus (districts) → Valanadus (larger divisions) → Mandalams (provinces). Option A correctly represents this hierarchy as iv, ii, i, iii.

Correct Answer: Narsimha Varman I

Rajendra I commissioned the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple to commemorate his victory over the Pala dynasty and bringing of Ganga water. The other options are mismatched: Mahendravarman I built rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram, Harsha was associated with Nalanda, and Pulakesin II built the Vatapi (Badami) cave temples.