Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

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.

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.

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

The earliest group of caves consists of caves 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15A. According to Walter Spink, they were made during the period 100 BCE to 100 CE, probably under the patronage of the Satavahana dynasty (230 BCE – c. 220 CE) who ruled the region.

Maduranjeral (also known as Nedunjeliyan II), a Pandyan king, is recorded in contemporary accounts as having sent emissaries to the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar and performed Vedic sacrifices. This demonstrates the Pandyan kingdom's extensive international trade connections and cultural synthesis during the Sangam age.

The Hathigumpha inscription was written by Kharavela, the ruler of the Kalinga dynasty (Mahameghavahana dynasty). This inscription, found in Udayagiri caves of Odisha, provides valuable information about Kharavela's conquests and achievements. The other dynasties mentioned - Vakatakas, Pushyabhutis, and Kalachuris - ruled in different regions and time periods.

Correct Answer: Rajendra III

The Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi had very close political and matrimonial relations with the Chola dynasty. Many Chola princesses married into the Vengi Chalukya royal family and vice versa. The Chalukyas of Kalyani and Badami were rivals of the Cholas and fought against them, particularly over control of the fertile Vengi region.

Kulottunga I (also spelled Kulotung I) was the Chola ruler who married his daughter to a Sinhalese prince from Sri Lanka. This matrimonial alliance was part of Chola diplomatic efforts to maintain influence in Sri Lanka after Rajendra I's conquests. The marriage helped strengthen Chola-Sinhalese relations during a period of changing political dynamics.

Correct Answer: Cholas

The Chola fleet represented the zenith of ancient Indian sea power. In the period of 984-1042 CE, the Chola kings dispatched great naval expeditions which occupied parts of Burma, Malaya and Sumatra, while suppressing the piratical activities of the Sumatra warlords.

Nedunjeliyan (also spelled Nedunjeliyan) was a Pandyan king mentioned in the Tamil epic Silapaddikaram. He ruled Madurai and is referenced in connection with the story of Kovalan and Kannagi. Ilanjetcenni was an early Pandyan ruler, Karikala was a Chola ruler, and Ilango Adigal was the author of Silapaddikaram (not a king).

Option (4) is the correct answer.