South Indian Kingdoms — Exercise Solutions
Use this page alongside the official Samacheer Kalvi textbook. Solve every exercise question on your own first, then check the solutions below.
I. Choose the Correct Answer (MCQs)
Q1. Who built the Vaikunda Perumal temple?
- (a) Mahendravarman I
- (b) Nandivarman II
- (c) Narasimhavarman I
- (d) Rajasimha
The Vaikunda Perumal temple at Kanchipuram was built by Nandivarman II and represents the Nandivarman style of Pallava architecture.
Q2. Which of the following titles belonged to Mahendravarman I?
- (a) Mattavilasa
- (b) Vichitra Chitta
- (c) Gunabara
- (d) All the three
Mahendravarman I bore all three titles — Mattavilasa, Vichitra Chitta, and Gunabara — reflecting his diverse talents as a king, playwright, and patron of arts.
Q3. Which inscription describes the victories of Pulakesin II?
- (a) Aihole
- (b) Allahabad
- (c) Hathigumpha
- (d) Junagadh
The Aihole inscription, composed by Ravikirti, describes the military victories of Pulakesin II, including his famous defeat of Harsha Vardhana on the banks of the Narmada river.
II. Read the Statement and Tick the Appropriate Answer
Q1. Statement I: Pallava art shows transition from rock-cut monolithic structure to stone-built temple.
Statement II: Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram is an example of Pallava art and architecture.
- (a) I only is correct
- (b) II only is correct
- (c) Both statements are correct
- (d) Both statements are wrong
Pallava architecture indeed shows a transition from rock-cut caves to structural temples, and the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram (built by Rajasimha) is a prime example of Pallava structural architecture.
Q2. Statement I: Tamil literature flourished under Pallava rule, with the rise in popularity of Thevaram composed by Appar.
Statement II: Pallava King Mahendravarman was the author of the play Mattavilasa Prahasana.
- (a) I only is correct
- (b) II only is correct
- (c) Both are correct
- (d) Both are wrong
Statement II is correct — Mahendravarman I did author the play Mattavilasa Prahasana. Statement I is partially incorrect because Thevaram was composed by the Nayanmars (Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar), not by Appar alone. The rise in Thevaram's popularity was a broader Bhakti movement, not attributable solely to Appar.
Q3. Consider the following statements about the Rashtrakuta dynasty:
(i) It was founded by Dantidurga.
(ii) Amogavarsha wrote Kavirajmarga.
(iii) Krishna I built the Kailasanatha temple at Ellora.
- (a) i only is correct
- (b) i and ii are correct
- (c) All three are wrong
- (d) All the three are correct
Dantidurga founded the Rashtrakuta dynasty, Amogavarsha (also known as Nrupatunga) composed Kavirajmarga, the earliest available work on Kannada poetics, and Krishna I built the famous Kailasanatha temple at Ellora.
Q4. Which is not a correct pair?
- (a) Elephanta caves — Rashtrakutas
- (b) Aihole inscription — Ravikirti
- (c) Elephanta caves — Ashoka
- (d) Mamallapuram — Pallavas
The Elephanta caves are associated with the Rashtrakutas (or Kalachuris), not Ashoka. The name "Elephanta" was given by the Portuguese after seeing a huge elephant sculpture on the island.
Q5. Find the wrong pair:
- (a) Pampa — Vikramarjuna Vijaya
- (b) Vatsyaya — Bharathavenba
- (c) Ravikirti — Aihole inscription
- (d) Amogavarsha — Kavirajmarga
Vatsyaya wrote Nyaya Bhashya (a treatise on logic), not Bharathavenba. He was a teacher at the Gatika (monastery) in Kanchi.
III. Fill in the Blanks
1. The music inscriptions in Kudumianmalai and Thirumayam show the Pallavas' interest in music.
2. Paranjothi was the army general of Narasimhavarman I.
3. Ravikirti was the author of the Aihole Inscription.
4. Narasimhavarman I destroyed Vatapi and assumed the title Vatapikondan.
5. Pulakesin II defeated Harsha Vardhana on the banks of the river Narmada.
IV. Match the Following
Match the dynasty with its capital:
| Dynasty | Capital |
|---|---|
| Pallavas | Kanchi |
| Eastern Chalukyas | Vengi |
| Western Chalukyas | Kalyani |
| Rashtrakutas | Manyakheta |
The Pallavas ruled from Kanchipuram (Kanchi), the Eastern Chalukyas from Vengi, the Western Chalukyas from Kalyani (modern Basavakalyan), and the Rashtrakutas from Manyakheta (modern Malkhed).
V. True or False
The Virupaksha temple at Pattadakal was indeed modelled after the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram, showing the influence of Pallava architecture on later Chalukya structures.
Correction: Thevaram was composed by the Nayanmars (Saivite saints — Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar), not the Azhwars. The Azhwars were Vaishnavite saints who composed the Divya Prabandham.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1984 for its outstanding Pallava rock-cut architecture and monolithic rathas.
Correction: Pulakesin II was the greatest king of the Chalukya dynasty, not the Rashtrakuta dynasty. The greatest Rashtrakuta rulers were Dantidurga (founder), Krishna I, and Amogavarsha.
Rudracharya was a renowned musician who flourished during the reign of Mahendravarman I. The music inscriptions at Kudumianmalai and Thirumayam attest to the Pallavas' interest in music.
VI. Very Short Answer Questions (One or Two Sentences)
Q1. Name the three gems of Kannada literature.
Q2. What is the classification of Pallava architecture?
1. Mahendravarman style — Rock-cut cave temples 2. Mamalla style — Monolithic rathas and sculptural mandapas 3. Rajasimha style — Structural temples (e.g., Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi) 4. Nandivarman style — Later structural temples (e.g., Vaikunda Perumal temple)
Q3. What is Gatika?
Q4. Why are the Panchapandavar rathas called monolithic?
Q5. Write a note on the Battle of Takkolam.
VII. Short Answer Questions
Q1. Write about the contributions of the Pallavas to architecture.
Mahendravarman Style (Rock-Cut): Created rock-cut cave temples at Mandagapattu, Mahendravadi, Mamandur, Dalavanur, Tiruchirapalli, Vallam, Tirukazhukkundram, and Siyamangalam.
Mamalla Style (Monolithic): Created the open art gallery at Mamallapuram, including the famous Panchapandavar rathas (five monolithic chariots) and sculptural mandapas (Mahishasuramardhini, Thirumoorthi, and Varaha mandapams).
Rajasimha Style (Structural): Built the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram (also called Rajasimheswaram) using sandstone — one of the finest examples of early Dravidian structural temple architecture.
Nandivarman Style (Structural): Built the Vaikunda Perumal temple at Kanchipuram.
Mamallapuram was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1984.
Q2. Write about Elephanta Island and the Kailasanatha temple at Ellora.
Elephanta Island: Originally called Sripuri (locally Gharapuri), it was renamed Elephanta by the Portuguese after they found a huge elephant sculpture on the island. It is located near Mumbai. The notable features include the magnificent Trimurthi Siva icon (three-headed sculpture of Shiva) and impressive dwarapalaka (guardian) images. The caves are rock-cut and contain remarkable Hindu sculptures.
Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora: One of the 30 temples carved from a hill at Ellora, built during the reign of Rashtrakuta king Krishna I. It covers over 60,000 square feet with a vimanam rising 90 feet. The temple resembles the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram and portrays typical Dravidian architectural features. It is a monolithic structure carved from top to bottom out of a single rock hill.
VIII. HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills)
Q1. Write about the Western Chalukyas of Kalyani.
IX. Answer Grid
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Example of Pallava structural temple | Kanchi Kailasanatha Temple |
| New style of architecture during Chalukya period | Vesara |
| Aihole inscription mentions | Defeat of Harsha Vardhana by Pulakesin II |
| Who built Kailasanatha temple at Ellora? | Krishna I |
| Sculptural mandapas of Mamallan style | Open art gallery |
| Structural temples of Chalukya exist at | Aihole, Vatapi, Pattadakal |
| Two Saivite saints and Vaishnavite saints | Saivite: Appar, Manikkavasakar; Vaishnavite: Nammazhvar, Andal |
| Founder of Rashtrakuta dynasty | Dantidurga |
| Titles adopted by Narasimhavarman I | Mamallan, Vatapikondan |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Confusing Pallava and Chalukya rulers. Pulakesin II was a Chalukya king (not Rashtrakuta), while Narasimhavarman I was a Pallava king who destroyed Vatapi. Do not mix up the dynasties.
2. Saying Thevaram was composed by Azhwars. Thevaram was composed by the Nayanmars (Saivite saints — Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar). The Azhwars composed the Divya Prabandham (Vaishnavite hymns).
3. Calling the greatest Rashtrakuta king "Pulakesin II." Pulakesin II was the greatest Chalukya king. The greatest Rashtrakuta rulers were Dantidurga, Krishna I, and Amogavarsha.
4. Confusing Pallava architectural styles. Remember the four styles in order: Mahendravarman (rock-cut) → Mamalla/Narasimhavarman I (monolithic rathas) → Rajasimha (structural, Kailasanatha at Kanchi) → Nandivarman (Vaikunda Perumal).
5. Mixing up the Vaikunda Perumal temple builder. It was built by Nandivarman II, not Narasimhavarman II (who built the Shore Temple) or Rajasimha.
6. Saying the Virupaksha temple is at Kanchi. The Virupaksha temple is at Pattadakal, not Kanchi. It was modelled after the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram.
7. Confusing Eastern and Western Chalukyas. Eastern Chalukyas ruled from Vengi (Andhra region); Western Chalukyas ruled from Kalyani (Karnataka region). They are separate dynasties despite sharing the name "Chalukya."
Exam Checklist
- [ ] Pallava dynasty — four architectural styles: Mahendravarman, Mamalla, Rajasimha, Nandivarman
- [ ] Mahendravarman I — titles: Mattavilasa, Vichitra Chitta, Gunabara; author of Mattavilasa Prahasana
- [ ] Narasimhavarman I — titles: Mamallan, Vatapikondan; destroyed Vatapi
- [ ] Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram — built by Rajasimha (Pallava)
- [ ] Kailasanatha temple at Ellora — built by Krishna I (Rashtrakuta)
- [ ] Aihole inscription by Ravikirti — describes Pulakesin II's victories
- [ ] Chalukya dynasty — Pulakesin II, Vatapi as capital, Vesara architecture
- [ ] Rashtrakuta dynasty — founded by Dantidurga, capital Manyakheta
- [ ] Three gems of Kannada literature — Pampa, Sri Ponna, Ranna
- [ ] Nayanmars composed Thevaram; Azhwars composed Divya Prabandham
- [ ] Gatika — centre of learning at Kanchi during Pallava times
- [ ] Panchapandavar rathas — five monolithic chariots at Mamallapuram
- [ ] Western Chalukyas of Kalyani — founded by Tailapa II, capital Kalyani
- [ ] Mamallapuram — UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984