UPSC Ancient India – Chapter 20: The Pallavas, Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas (22 MCQs)

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UPSC Ancient India – Chapter 20: The Pallavas, Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas (22 MCQs) – 22 questions, subject: History. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The Pallava ruler who wrote the Mattavilasa Prahasana was:

Correct Answer: B [Mahendravarman I]

Explanation:

Mahendravarman I, a poet-king, wrote the Sanskrit farce Mattavilasa Prahasana satirising Kapalikas and Buddhist monks.

2.  

The title "Vatapikonda" was taken by:

Correct Answer: C [Narasimhavarman I]

Explanation:

Narasimhavarman I defeated and killed Pulakeshin II and captured Vatapi c. 642 CE, taking the title Vatapikonda.

3.  

The Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi was built by:

Correct Answer: C [Narasimhavarman II]

Explanation:

Narasimhavarman II, called Rajasimha, built the structural Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi as well as the Shore Temple.

4.  

The inscription of Mahendravarman I at Mandagapattu is important because it

Correct Answer: B [describes a shrine made without bricks, timber, metal or mortar]

Explanation:

it says the shrine was made without bricks, timber, metal or mortar, marking the start of Pallava rock-cut temples.

5.  

The Eastern Chalukya line of Vengi was founded by Pulakeshin II's brother:

Correct Answer: D [Vishnuvardhana]

Explanation:

Vishnuvardhana, appointed by his brother Pulakeshin II after the conquest of Vengi, founded the Eastern Chalukya line.

6.  

The Virupaksha temple at Pattadakal was built by:

Correct Answer: D [Queen Lokamahadevi]

Explanation:

Queen Lokamahadevi built the Virupaksha temple to celebrate her husband Vikramaditya II's victory over the Pallavas.

7.  

The founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty was:

Correct Answer: A [Dantidurga]

Explanation:

Dantidurga, a Chalukya feudatory, overthrew Kirtivarman II c. 753 CE and founded the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

8.  

The Kailasa temple at Ellora is attributed to:

Correct Answer: C [Krishna I]

Explanation:

Krishna I, Dantidurga's successor, had the Kailasa temple (Cave 16) carved out of a single rock at Ellora.

9.  

The capital of the Rashtrakutas under Amoghavarsha was:

Correct Answer: C [Manyakheta]

Explanation:

Amoghavarsha I fixed the Rashtrakuta capital at Manyakheta (Malkhed) in Karnataka.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. Mahendravarman I began Pallava rock-cut temples.
2. Rajasimha built the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram.
3. The Mamallapuram rathas are structural temples built of bricks.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2 are right: Mahendravarman began rock-cut shrines and Rajasimha built the Shore Temple; the rathas are monolithic.

11.  

Assertion (A): Pattadakal has temples in both the Nagara and Dravida styles.

Reason (R): The Chalukyas of Badami ruled a region where northern and southern traditions met.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Both are true, and the Chalukya Deccan, where northern and southern traditions met, explains why both styles stand at Pattadakal.

12.  

The battle of Takkolam (949 CE) was won by:

Correct Answer: D [Krishna III]

Explanation:

The Rashtrakuta king Krishna III defeated the Chola army at Takkolam in 949 CE.

13.  

The Rashtrakutas were overthrown in 973 CE by:

Correct Answer: D [Tailapa II]

Explanation:

Tailapa II, a Rashtrakuta feudatory, overthrew them in 973 CE and founded the Chalukyas of Kalyani.

14.  

The Lad Khan and Durga temples are at:

Correct Answer: B [Aihole]

Explanation:

Aihole, the early Chalukya temple site, has the Lad Khan temple and the apsidal Durga temple.

15.  

Arjuna's Penance, the great relief, is at:

Correct Answer: A [Mamallapuram]

Explanation:

Arjuna's Penance (Descent of the Ganga) is the great Pallava open-air rock relief at Mamallapuram.

16.  

The saint said to have converted Mahendravarman I to Shaivism was:

Correct Answer: D [Appar]

Explanation:

Tradition holds that Appar (Tirunavukkarasar), himself once a Jain, converted Mahendravarman I from Jainism to Shaivism.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Battle of Takkolam
2. Aihole inscription
3. Rise of the Rashtrakutas
4. Capture of Vatapi by Narasimhavarman I

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-4-3-1]

Explanation:

Order: Aihole inscription (634) → Capture of Vatapi by Narasimhavarman I (c. 642) → Rise of the Rashtrakutas (c. 753) → Battle of Takkolam (949 CE).

18.  

The Kannada work Kavirajamarga is associated with the court of:

Correct Answer: B [Amoghavarsha I]

Explanation:

Kavirajamarga, the earliest surviving Kannada work on poetics, is attributed to Amoghavarsha I's court.

19.  

Land granted to temples in south India was called:

Correct Answer: A [devadana]

Explanation:

Devadana denoted land or villages granted to temples, as against brahmadeya granted to Brahmanas.

20.  

The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in:

Correct Answer: D [1984]

Explanation:

UNESCO inscribed the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram on the World Heritage List in 1984.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2025

Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta' and 'Gunabhara'?

Correct Answer: A [Mahendravarman I]

Explanation:

Mattavilasa, Vichitrachitta and Gunabhara were titles of the Pallava king Mahendravarman I (c. 600–630 CE).

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2020

Consider the following events in the history of India:

1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman-I
3. Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka-I
4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala

What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?

Correct Answer: C [2 – 4 – 1 – 3]

Explanation:

Mahendravarman I (c. 600), Gopala (c. 750), Bhoja (ninth century), Parantaka I (907).

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U01 · Ancient India (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-ancient-india

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