Daily subject-wise static quiz: History and Culture MCQs on the Chola dynasty, Travellers in Indian history, Folk dance and more (Week 119)

Indian Express

28-07-2025

Are you preparing for UPSC CSE Prelims? UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of daily subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on History and Culture to check your progress.
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Which of the following parts of a temple structure is not correctly matched?
(a) entry hall : mukhamaṇḍapa
(b) pillared hall : ardhamaṇḍapa
(c) vestibule : gopuram
(d) sanctum : garbhagṛha
A standard Chola temple was configured along an east-west axis, consisting of an entry hall (mukhamaṇḍapa), a pillared hall (ardhamaṇḍapa), a vestibule (antarāl̥a), and a sanctum (garbhagṛha) sheltered by a Tamil Draviḍa–style superstructure.
Therefore, c is the correct answer.
(For more, refer:Why Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple by Ajeya Vajpayee, UPSC Essentials, The Indian Express)
Which Chola King returned with the water of the Ganga to sanctify and commemorate his victory at a new capital in his homeland, called Gangaikondacholapuram, after his successful campaign in the north?
(a) Rajaraja I
(b) Rajaraja II
(c) Rajendra I
(d) Rajendra II
Rājarāja's heir, Rajendra I, after his successful campaign in the north, returned with the water of the Ganga to sanctify and commemorate his victory at a new capital in his homeland, called Gangaikoṇḍacōl̥apuram ('City of the Chola who conquered the Ganges').
Therefore, c is the correct answer.
(For more, refer:Why Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple by Ajeya Vajpayee, UPSC Essentials, The Indian Express)
With reference to 'Kudavolai system' consider the following statements:
1. It is an ancient taxation system.
2. The system finds its mention in the Uttaramerur Inscriptions.
Which of the above given statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
As chronicled by K A Nilakanta Sastri in The Cholas (1935), the Chola administrative framework was built on two foundational units: the Sabha for Brahmin settlements and the Ur for non-Brahmin villages. These were not symbolic councils but elected bodies with real powers over revenue, irrigation, temple management, and even justice. 'It was democracy at the grassroots — built into the fabric of Tamil civic life,' Sastri wrote in Chapter VIII, 'Local Self-Government'.
But what made the system particularly striking was the method of voting, a process called the Kudavolai system or 'ballot pot' election. Under this method, as detailed in the Uttaramerur Inscriptions documented in Epigraphia Indica Vol. XXII (1933–34), the names of eligible candidates were inscribed on palm leaves and placed inside a pot. A young boy, typically chosen for his impartiality, would draw the lot in full public view. This randomised draw was not a game of chance but a civic ritual rooted in transparency, fairness, and collective consent.
Therefore, b is the correct answer.
(For more, refer: Long before Magna Carta, Cholas had 'ballot pots': What is the ancient voting system PM Modi lauded? by Arun Janardhanan, The Indian Express)
Manigramam and Ayyavole in the history of South India are closely related to:
(a) Martial art
(b) Classical music
(c) Merchant guilds
(d) None of the above
Anirudh Kanisetti notes in Lords of the Earth and Sea (Penguin, 2023): the Chola model of statecraft relied heavily on decentralised administrative systems. By empowering merchant guilds such as the Manigramam and Ayyavole, and sustaining local assemblies, the Cholas expanded both trade and legitimacy.
Therefore, c is the correct answer.
(For more, refer: Long before Magna Carta, Cholas had 'ballot pots': What is the ancient voting system PM Modi lauded? by Arun Janardhanan, The Indian Express)
Consider the following statements:
1. Barahmasa, a poetic tradition that emerged in medieval South India, lent itself to other forms such as paintings, which were patronised by the Vijayanagar Empire.
2. Meghaduta, the classical sanskrit poem, tells the story of a yaksha who longs for his wife and uses a cloud as a messenger.
Which of the above given statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Kalidasa's Meghaduta
The classical Sanskrit poem, Meghaduta, by Kalidasa has lent itself as a theme to artists painting the monsoon. The poem tells the story of a yaksha who longs for his wife and uses a cloud as a messenger.
Barahmasa painting
The Barahmasa is a poetic tradition that emerged in medieval North India. It usually revolved around the theme of a woman longing for her lover, and described her emotional state in context of the season of the year. The Barahmasa, as the name suggests, refers to the '12 months'. With time, the genre lent itself to other forms of art, including dance, music and paintings.
The Barahmasa paintings began developing during the Mughal rule and were at their peak during the 18th and 19th centuries. Among these paintings, the ones depicting the monsoon months are known to be the most evocative, with passionate rendering of colours and textures to show young lovers staring at clouds, or the lush countryside.
Therefore, b is the correct answer.
(For more, refer:Painting the rain: How Indian art obsesses with the monsoons by Adrija Roychowdhury, The Indian Express)
Consider the following states of India:
1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Meghalaya
3. Nagaland
4. Mizoram
5. Manipur
6. Sikkim
7. Tripura
Which of the above states were part of colonial Assam before Independence?
(a) 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 only
(b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 only
(d) All of the above
The Northeast
Northeast India officially comprises eights states — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura — which are a part of the North-Eastern Council, a statutory advisory body that plays a role in development planning, and region-level policy making.
Pre-Independence, five of these eight present-day states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram) were a part of colonial Assam. Manipur and Tripura were princely states, with resident British political officers answering to the governor of Assam.
Sikkim, the most unique of the eight, was juridically independent but under British paramountcy. It became an independent country in 1947, before being annexed by India in 1975. In 2001 Sikkim was made a member of the North Eastern Council, and thus officially a part of the Northeast.
Therefore, b is the correct answer.
(For more, refer: How the Northeast was 'invented', 52 years ago by Sanjib Baruah, The Indian Express)
With reference to the travellers in Indian history, consider the following statements:
1. Italian traveller, Pietro Della Valle visited India during the reign of Krishnadevaraya.
2. Moroccan traveler, Ibn Battuta visited India during the reign of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq.
Which of the statements given up is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Pietro Della Valle visited Gujarat in 1623, during the reign of Mughal emperor Jahangir.
Della Valle remained in Surat for about 40 days and received the utmost kindness and civility from the Presidents of both the English and Dutch factories. He was impressed by the equality enjoyed by all Mughal subjects in the town and the liberty they had to pursue their normal avocations and to amass wealth.
He describes the famous Gopi Talav, which was built by the Hindu Governor of Surat during the reign of Sultan Muzaffar II from 1511 to 1527. He refers to it as a 'very large tank' that is surrounded by stonework and features numerous sides and angles. There are stairs leading down to the water's surface. The diameter of the tank is stated to be two good furlongs. Such reservoirs were commonly constructed by rulers or wealthy individuals for the public's benefit due to the scarcity of running water, as many towns relied solely on rainwater collected in these large tanks.
Therefore, b is the correct answer.
(For more, refer: 17th-century Gujarat through eyes of an Italian traveller by Amarjit Singh, The Indian Express )
With reference to Laho, consider the following statements:
1. Laho is a folk dance of Meghalaya's Jaintia hill region.
2. It is famous among the Pnar tribal community and an integral part of the Behdienkhlam festival.
Which of the above given statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Laho
Laho hails from the cool, green Meghalaya's Jaintia hill region. It is an integral part of the Behdienkhlam festival, which is held annually to invoke divine blessings and to get rid of bad spirits. It is famous among the Pnar tribal community in Meghalaya. The synchronisation and harmony of the dance are noteworthy. Instead of musical instruments, a man recites couplets during the performance. Both men and women take part in the dance and wear colourful costumes and jewellery. This folk dance is also popular among the Harp tribe of the state but is called a different name, Wangala Dance.
Therefore, c is the correct answer.
(For more, refer: International Dance Day 2023– Here are 5 lesser-known folk dance forms of India, The Indian Express)
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Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than five years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'LIVE with Manas'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More