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The Sangam Age — GK Questions with Answers

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14 questions
  1. The term "Sangam" in Tamil history refers to —
    1. court poetry of the Pallavas of Kanchi
    2. a literary academy of Tamil poets held under Pandya patronage at Madurai
    3. praise-poems of Chola kings
    4. a Buddhist council
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) a literary academy of Tamil poets held under Pandya patronage at Madurai

    Sangam = an academy of poets; the third met at Madurai.

  2. Where was the third Sangam held? (IAS 2008)
    1. Arikamedu
    2. Tuticorin
    3. Madurai
    4. Ernakulam
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) Madurai

    Nakkirar presided over it.

  3. The early Tamil poet who mentions the Nandas and the Mauryas — and a Mauryan raid into the south — is (IAS 1996, 2001):
    1. Sattanar
    2. Ilango Adigal
    3. Kapilar
    4. Mamulanar
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) Mamulanar

    Mamulanar’s verses refer to Nanda wealth and a Mauryan expedition.

  4. Which deity was NOT worshipped in the Sangam age?
    1. Murugan
    2. Indra
    3. Korravai
    4. Ganesha
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) Ganesha

    Ganesha worship came later.

  5. Kannagi, for whom temples were raised, was revered as the goddess of —
    1. learning
    2. chastity
    3. victory
    4. wealth
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) chastity

    Senguttuvan started the Pattini (chaste wife) cult.

  6. Aruvai, Aruvai vanigar and Aruvai vidi relate to —
    1. the cloth trade
    2. fishing
    3. agriculture
    4. temple worship
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) the cloth trade

    Aruvai means cloth.

  7. In the Sangam age a war usually began with —
    1. cutting the enemy’s sacred tree
    2. seizing the enemy’s cattle
    3. besieging his fort
    4. burning his crops
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) seizing the enemy’s cattle

    The cattle raid (vetchi) was the opening move.

  8. Which is NOT an epic of Tamil literature?
    1. Silappadikaram
    2. Manimekalai
    3. Pattuppattu
    4. Jivaka Chintamani
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) Pattuppattu

    Pattuppattu is the "Ten Idylls".

  9. Pahri, otam, timil and patagu in early Tamil poems are kinds of —
    1. markets
    2. boats
    3. exports
    4. taxes
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) boats

    They are names of boats and vessels.

  10. Consider: 1. The Cholas beat the Pandyas and Cheras and dominated the peninsula in early medieval times. 2. The Cholas sent a naval expedition against the Sailendra empire of South-East Asia. Correct? (IAS 2003)
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both
    4. Neither
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) Both

    Both are true of the imperial Cholas (Rajendra I).

  1. Karikala defeated a confederacy of Chera, Pandya and other rulers at —
    1. Talaiyalanganam
    2. Venni
    3. Takkolam
    4. Korkai
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) Venni

    Venni is near Thanjavur.

  2. Match the tax: "Ulgu" was —
    1. land tax
    2. customs duty
    3. war booty
    4. forced gift
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) customs duty

    Karai = land tax, Irai = tribute/booty, Iravu = forced gift.

  3. The Romans are said to have kept two regiments and a temple of Augustus at —
    1. Korkai
    2. Puhar
    3. Muziris
    4. Madurai
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) Muziris

    Muziris — modern Kodungallur (Cranganore).

  4. Who wrote the Tirukkural?
    1. Tolkappiyar
    2. Thiruvalluvar
    3. Nakkirar
    4. Sattanar
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) Thiruvalluvar

    It is called the Bible (Veda) of the Tamil land.

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