Day-559 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | HISTORY

Answer: D
Explanation:
The advent of the early historical period in South India is generally dated to the 3rd century BCE. The three most important kingdoms of Tamilakam (the land between the Tirupati hills (Vengadam) and the southernmost tip of the peninsula) were the Cholas, Cheras and Pandayas.
Option a is incorrect: The principality of the Cholas in the lower Kaveri valley corresponded roughly to modern Tanjore and Trichinopoly districts of Tamil Nadu, and had its capital at Uraiyur. The kingdom of the Pandyas in the valleys of the Tamraparni and Vaigai roughly correspond to modern Tirunelveli, Madurai, Ramnad districts, and south Travancore and had its capital at Madurai. The Cheras on the Kerala coast had their capital at Karuvur, also known as Vanji.
Option b is incorrect: The premier Chola port was Puhar (also known as Kaveripumpattinam), the major Pandya port was Korkai, while Tondi and Muchiri were the important ports in the Chera kingdom.
Option c is incorrect: The Chera, Chola, and Pandya kings were the vendar (crowned kings). These great kings had their special insignia of royalty such as the staff, drum, and umbrella. They also had specific emblems of power—the tiger, bow, and fish were the emblems of the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas respectively. Apart from the vendar, there were a number of chieftains known as velir. The Sangam poets also eulogize various chieftains such as Ay, Andiran, and Pari for their bravery and generosity.
Option d is correct: The early Pandya kings included Nediyon, Palshalai Mudukudumi, and Nedunjeliyan. As per sources, king Nedunjeliyan is said to have defeated a confederacy of Cholas, Cheras, and five chieftains at a battle at Talaiyalanganam while he was still very young, in which the Chera king was taken prisoner.

Answer: A
Explanation:
The consolidation of the Vijayanagara empire integrated the entire Peninsula which led to migration of traders and artisans across the regions and created a supra-local urban network that bolstered trade. This fostered urban developments in Vijayanagara which were linked to several factors like militarisation, migration and trade and commerce. Hence, statements I and II are correct.
Due to increasing militarisation of the polity, numerous fortified settlements emerged. Fortifications of mercantile towns established by powerful merchant organisations and armed presence within the temple precincts increased. The towns emerged as trading centres and often eroded the power of the older agrarian elites, leading to the rise of urban power groups that entered into alliances with new political forces. So, statement II is the correct explanation of I.

Answer: A
Explanation:
The origin of Indian music can be traced back to evidence from the Vedic period. During this period, the Vedic hymns were chanted and some of them were also set to tune and rhythm. The rhythmic recitations of Ṛigveda were known as Ṛcās.
Sāmaveda is the compilation of these selected Ṛcās set to Svaras (notes). So, statement 1 is incorrect.
Only three Svaras — Udātta, Anudātta and Svarita were used in Sāmagāna.
Mantras chanted during religious activities with Svaras were known as Sāmagāna.
Udātta was the sharp pitch, Anudātta was grave pitch and Svarita combined in itself the characteristics of both the pitches.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Bharat’s Nāṭyaśāstra is the most important and pioneer work of music, dance and drama. This is the first text available on the classification of Indian Instruments.
There are two streams of music known as Mārgi- and Deśi-.
● Mārgi- or Gāndharva saṅgita was practiced for salvation. So, statement 3 is correct.
● Deśi- Saṅgita which was further divided into classical, semi-classical, folk music, etc.

Answer: D
Explanation:
The above mentioned communities are associated with Shadow Puppet Theatre Traditions of India.
The communities which are distinctively associated with it are:
● Chamadyacha Bahulya Thakar, Maharashtra
● Tolu Bommalatta Killekyata or Are Kapu, Andhra Pradesh
● Togalu Gombeyatta Killekyata or Dayat, Karnataka
● Tolu Bommalattam Killekyata, Tamil Nadu
● Tolpava Kuthu Vellalachetti, Nair, Kerala
● Ravanachhaya Bhat, Odisha
India has the richest variety of types and styles of shadow puppets. Shadow puppets are flat figures. They are cut out of leather, which has been treated to make it translucent. Shadow puppets are pressed against the screen with a strong source of light behind it. The manipulation between the light and the screen make silhouettes or colourful shadows, as the case may be, for the viewers who sit in front of the screen. This tradition of shadow puppets survives in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Answer: C
Explanation:
A number of temples were erected during Yadava period in Maharashtra up to 13-14th century C.E. There are twenty five Yadava temples in Dharashiv and Latur district. These temples are commonly known as ‘Hemadpanti temples’.
Characteristic features of Yadava temple:
● Temples are not decorated on its exterior wall.
● Garbhagriha, antarala, sabhamandapa and mukhamandapa are the parts of temple.
● The sculptural ornamentation on the pillars and doorjamb is reduced.
● Sculpture of Ganesh was carved on Lalatbimba.
● These temples are commonly known as ‘Hemadpanti Temples’.
● Most temples are dedicated to Shiva.
In the last quarter of the 12th century AD the Yadavas of Devagiri came into prominence. They had previously been ruling over Seunadesha (Khandesh) as feudatories of the Chalukyas of Kalyani. The founder of the family was Dridhaprahara, the son of Subahu. During their rule a peculiar style of architecture called Hemadpanti after Hemadri or Hemadpant, a minister of Mahadeva and Ramachandra came into vogue.