[Ancient History - One Liner]*Chapter 17. The Imperial Cholas Dynasty

[Ancient History - One Liner]*Chapter 17. The Imperial Cholas Dynasty

One Liner of Ancient History - The Imperial Cholas Dynasty

Founding and Early Rulers

Que.: Who founded the Chola dynasty?

Ans.: Vijayalaya.

Que.: In what year did Vijayalaya capture Tanjore?

Ans.: 815 AD.

Que.: Who expanded the Chola empire by defeating the Pallavas?

Ans.: Aditya.

Que.: Which battle was a major setback for Parantaka I against the Rashtrakutas?

Ans.: Battle of Takkolam.

Que.: Which temple did Parantaka I adorn with a golden roof?

Ans.: Nataraja temple at Chidambaram.

Que.: What inscriptions provide insights into Chola village administration?

Ans.: Uttiramerur inscriptions.

Rajaraja I

Que.: Who is considered one of the most illustrious Chola rulers?

Ans.: Rajaraja I.

Que.: Which battle did Rajaraja I win against the Cheras?

Ans.: Battle of Kandalursalai.

Que.: Which temple did Rajaraja I complete in Tanjore?

Ans.: Rajarajeswara temple (Brihadeeswara temple).

Que.: Which islands did Rajaraja I conquer through a naval expedition?

Ans.: Maldive Islands.

Que.: What was the Capital of Srilanka shifted to by Rajaraja I's son Rajendra I?

Ans.: Polonnaruwa.

Que.: Which Western Chalukya ruler did Rajaraja I defeat?

Ans.: Satyasraya.

Rajendra I

Que.: Who completed the conquest of Sri Lanka?

Ans.: Rajendra I.

Que.: Which North Indian ruler did Rajendra I defeat?

Ans.: Mahipala I of Bengal.

Que.: What city did Rajendra I found to commemorate his victory in the Ganges?

Ans.: Gangaikondacholapuram.

Que.: Which expedition did Rajendra I lead to Southeast Asia?

Ans.: Kadaram expedition (Sri Vijaya).

Que.: What river did Rajendra I establish as the boundary with the Western Chalukyas?

Ans.: Tungabhadra River.

Que.: What temple did Rajendra I build in his new capital?

Ans.: Rajesvaram temple at Gangaikondacholapuram.

Chola Administration

Que.: What was the land revenue system called under the Cholas?

Ans.: Puravuvarithinaikkalam.

Que.: What were residential areas known as in Chola administration?

Ans.: Ur nattam.

Que.: What were the two categories of officials in the Chola administration?

Ans.: Perundanam and Sirudanam.

Que.: What were the provinces of the Chola Empire called?

Ans.: Mandalams.

Que.: What were towns called in Chola administration?

Ans.: Nagarams.

Que.: Who administered the towns in Chola administration?

Ans.: Nagarattars.

Que.: What was the selection process for village council members called?

Ans.: Kudavolai.

Que.: How many wards was a Chola village divided into?

Ans.: Thirty.

Que.: How many village committees (variyams) were there?

Ans.: Six.

Que.: Which committee maintained irrigation tanks?

Ans.: Erivariyam.

Que.: Which committee looked after financial matters?

Ans.: Pon Variyam.

Socio-Economic Life

Que.: What were the two major divisions among castes in later Chola inscriptions?

Ans.: Valangai and Idangai.

Que.: What practices emerged regarding women's status during the Chola period?

Ans.: Sati and Devadasi system.

Que.: Which two religions flourished under the Cholas?

Ans.: Saivism and Vaishnavism.

Que.: What was a key economic activity promoted by the Cholas?

Ans.: Agriculture.

Que.: With which countries did the Cholas maintain commercial contacts?

Ans.: China, Sumatra, Java, and Arabia.

Education and Literature

Que.: What institutions provided education under the Cholas?

Ans.: Colleges (details in Ennayiram, Thirumukkudal, Thirubhuvanai inscriptions).

Que.: Who wrote the Ramayana in Tamil?

Ans.: Kamban.

Que.: Who wrote the Periyapuranam?

Ans.: Sekkilar.

Que.: Who wrote the Kalingattupparani?

Ans.: Jayankondar.

Que.: Which grammatical work was written during the Chola period?

Ans.: Nannul.

Art and Architecture

Que.: What architectural style did the Cholas develop?

Ans.: Dravidian style.

Que.: What is the towering pyramidal structure in Chola temples called?

Ans.: Vimana.

Que.: Which iconic temple is located in Tanjore?

Ans.: Brihadeeswara Temple.

Que.: Which temple is located at Darasuram?

Ans.: Airavatesvara Temple.

Que.: For what type of sculptures are the Cholas particularly celebrated?

Ans.: Bronze statues.

Que.: What is the name of the famous bronze statue of Shiva?

Ans.: Nataraja.

General

Que.: What was the Chola capital city?

Ans.: Tanjore (and later Gangaikondacholapuram).

Que.: What was the term used for the royal tours conducted by the emperor?

Ans.: No single term is highlighted, but it was regular royal inspections.

Que.: Who was given the title "Sungam Tavirtta Cholan?"

Ans.: Kulottunga I.

Que.: What was the reason for the Chola Empires decline?

Ans.: Internal challenges and rise of feudatories like Pandyas.

Que.: What was the primary source of revenue for the Chola Empire?

Ans.: Land Revenue.