Short Answer Questions

Question 1 State two significant features of inscriptions for providing information

about the Cholas.
Answer: Two significant features of inscriptions for providing information about
the Cholas are:
1. These inscriptions tell us about the Chola administration. For example, the
Uttaramerur inscription gives information on the village administration,
taxation and land revenue.
2. Some inscriptions have royal orders on taxation and land revenue,
resolutions of village assemblies, judgements delivered against persons
guilty of theft, murder and other crimes.
Question 2 Who established the rule of the Cholas? Name the capital of his
empire.
Answer: Chola ruler Vijayalaya established the rule of the Cholas.
The capital of his empire was Thanjavur.
Question 3
Why did Rajaraja undertake a naval expedition against Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and the
Maldives?
Answer
The coasts of Kerala, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives grew rich from overseas trade.
India exported textiles, spices, and precious stones to West Asia.
Arab merchants from West Asia came to trade and exchanged money for goods.
Foreign trade brought wealth to India.
Rajaraja understood the importance of controlling the sea.
He launched a naval expedition against Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
He conquered the northern half of Sri Lanka.
Question 4 Name any two great rulers of the Chola dynasty.
Answer: Two great rulers of the Chola dynasty were:
1. Rajaraja I
2. Rajendra Chola
Question 5: Give any two achievements of Rajendra Chola.
Answer: Two achievements of Rajendra Chola were:
1. He invaded and annexed the whole island of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was not
able to free herself from the Chola control for another 50 years.
2. His army defeated Mahipala, king of Bengal. He built a new capital called
Gangaikonda-cholapuram which he adorned with beautiful temples and
magnificent palaces.
Question 6: Name the new capital built by Rajendra Chola. In which present-day
state is it situated?
Answer: The new capital built by Rajendra Chola was Gangaikonda-cholapuram. It
is situated in Tamil Nadu.
Question 7 Why did the cholas build a strong naval fleet?
Answer:
1. The Cholas built a strong navy to conquer Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and
control trade.
2. During Rajendra Chola’s reign, Indian merchants traded with South-East
Asia and Southern China through the Straits of Malacca.
3. The Straits were controlled by the Shrivijaya kingdom.
4. Shrivijaya merchants created problems for Indian traders.
5. Indian merchants appealed to Rajendra Chola for help.
6. Rajendra Chola sent a huge navy and defeated the Shrivijaya king.
7. As a result, Indian trade with South-East Asia and Southern China
continued.
8. This trade enriched the Chola kingdom.
Question 8 What made the Chola administration strong and effective?
Answer: The Chola administration was strong and effective because of following
reasons:
1. The King was the pivot of administration and all the authority vested in his
hands.
2. The King often went on tours in order to keep a check on the
administration.
3. The Cholas were good administrators. The villages were not ruled by any
government official but they were self governed by the villagers
themselves. The villages had three types of assemblies, namely, the Ur, the
Sabha and the Nagaram.
Question 9 Name the two languages promoted by the Cholas.
Answer: The two languages promoted by the Cholas were:
1. Sanskrit
2. Tamil
Question 10 Name any two features of temples built by the Cholas.
Answer: Two features of temples built by the Cholas were:
1. Massive Vimanas or towers.
2. Spacious courtyards.
Question 11 Which is the best example of Chola temples? Give one reason.
Answer: The best example of Chola temples is Brihadeshwara temple. It is also
known as Rajarajeshwar temple. It was dedicated to Lord shiva and was built by
Rajaraja I.
The Brihadeshwara temple is considered as the best example of Chola temples
because it is the finest monument with splendid sculptures and decorative
mouldings. The main structure of the temple has a great vimana or tower which
rises to a height of 190 feet. It is crowned by a massive dome consisting of a single
block of stone, 25 feet high and weighing about 80 tons. The Brihadeshwara
temple is the most beautiful specimen of Tamil architecture and has also been
declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Question 12 What is known as the 'gopuram'? Name another feature of temples
built during the Chola Period.
Answer: The gateway of the temple is known as 'gopuram'.
The another feature of temples built during the Chola Period was massive towers
known as 'vimanas' and spacious courtyards.
Structured Questions
Question 1
With reference to the sources of information about the Cholas, briefly answer the
following:
(a) List the forms of Chola inscriptions.
(b) What was the special feature of the inscriptions? Who conceptualised the
idea? Name one temple built by him.
(c) Mention the significance of Brihadeshwara Temple.
Answer
(a) The forms of chola inscriptions are:
1. Copper-plates grants.
2. Stone inscriptions.
3. Inscription made on the walls and pillars of the temples.
(b) The special feature of the inscriptions was that it mentioned the main
achievements of the the king and his reign.
The idea was conceptualised by Rajaraja I.
The temple built by Rajaraja I was Brihadeshwara Temple.
(c) The Brihadeshwara Temple or Rajarajeshwara Temple is the finest monument
of a splendid period of South Indian history and the most beautiful specimen of
Tamil architecture. It is a Shiva temple built by Rajaraja I at Thanjavur. It is one of
the best specimens of Dravidian style of architecture.
The main structure of the temple has a great vimana or tower which rises to a
height of 190 feet. It is crowned by a massive dome consisting of a single block of
stone, 25 feet high and weighing about 80 tons. The shrine houses a gigantic Shiva
Lingam, cut in a monolithic rock about 8.87 metres high. The temple has many
structures such as a Nandi Pavilion, a pillared portico and a large assembly hall.
Thus the significance of this temple lies in its architectural beauty and historical
importance.
Question 2
With reference to the Chola period explain the following:
(a) Taxes imposed by the Cholas.
(b) Administration of the Kingdom.
(c) The three types of village assemblies.
Answer
(a) Taxes imposed by Cholas were taxes on land, taxes on the produce of the land
and taxes on trade. The taxes on land were collected by the officials from the
village councils. Part of revenue was kept for the king. The rest was used on the
public works, on salaries of officials, on paying for the upkeep of the army and on
the building of temples.
(b) The Cholas had a very efficient and organised administration. All authority was
vested in the king. There was a council of ministers to advise the king. The
administration was made even more simpler and efficient by distribution of power
at different stages of administration. The empire was divided into province
(mandalams), which were further divided into Valanadu and Nadu. Princes of the
royal family were appointed governors of provinces. There was self governance in
the villages and they were not ruled by any government officials. The central
government looked after external defence, internal peace and order, promotion of
general prosperity and cultural progress of the empire.
(c) The villages had three types of village assemblies, namely, the Ur, the Sabha
and the Nagaram. The Ur was common type of assembly of the villages where the
land was held by all classes of people who were, therefore, members of the local
assembly. The Sabha was exclusively Brahmin assembly of the villages, where all
the land belonged to the Brahmins. The Nagaram was the assembly of merchants
and traders. It was prevalent at the places where they were dominant. Villagers
who owned land were chosen by a vote to the council. The life and the work of
the villages were discussed in these councils. This was a source of popular
strength because it united the people. All affairs concerning the village, such as,
collection of taxes, settlement of disputes and allocation of water were looked
after by the committees.
Question 3
With reference to the Chola Administration, write short notes on:
(a) The King, the chief administrator.
(b) Local self-government.
(c) Temples as the centre of social activity.
Answer
(a) The king was the most important person in Chola administration. He was the
pivot of administration and all the authority was vested in him. The king often
went on tours in order to keep check on the administration. He had a council of
ministers to advise him. The Central government looked after external defence,
internal peace and order, promotion of general prosperity and cultural progress of
the empire.
(b) The cholas believed in local self-government at village level. The villages were
governed by villagers and not by government officials. The villages had three types
of village assemblies, namely, the Ur, the Sabha and the Nagaram. The Ur was
common type of assembly of the villages where the land was held by all classes of
people who were, therefore, members of the local assembly. The Sabha was
exclusively Brahmin assembly of the villages, where all the land belonged to the
Brahmins. The Nagaram was the assembly of merchants and traders. It was
prevalent at the places where they were dominant. Villagers who owned land
were chosen by a vote to the council. The life and the work of the villages were
discussed in this council. This was a source of popular strength because it united
the people. All affairs concerning the village, such as, collection of taxes,
settlement of disputes and allocation of water were looked after by the
committees.
(c) The temples in the Chola kingdom were the centre of social activity. It was not
only a place of worship, but was also a place where people gathered together. The
temples were also the biggest employers after the state, providing work and
means of livelihood to a large number of people. The temples used to take care of
the welfare of its workers by providing food, clothing and housing facilities and by
arranging proper education and establishing hospitals. The temples were also a
centre for education. The priests of the temple were local teachers and the
schools were housed in the temple courtyard. There were no separate schools.
Question 4
Study the given picture and answer the following questions:

(a) Name the temple given in the picture. Who built this temple? Where is it
located?
(b) To which deity is the temple dedicated? Mention two special features of this
temple?
(c) What were the following features of temples known as?
1. Gateway
2. Shrine
3. Audience hall
4. Towers
Answer
(a) The given temple is Brihadeshwara Temple, also known as Rajarajeshwara
Temple. Chola King, Rajaraja I built this temple.It is located at Thanjavur in Tamil
Nadu.
(b) The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Two special features of this temple are:
1. The massive tower or Vimana of 190 feet height and a huge dome of 25
feet, carved out of a single block of stone.
2. A gigantic Shiva Lingam, cut in monolithic rock about 8.87 metres high.
(c) Given features of temples were known as:
1. Gateway - Gopuram
2. Shrine - Garbhagriha
3. Audience Hall - Mandapa
4. Towers - Vimana.