Medieval India (A) — The Cholas | ICSE Class 9 Quick Revision & Q&A | Total History & Civics' (Morning Star)
Medieval India (A) — The Cholas
TL;DR — One-line summary
The Cholas (10th–13th centuries CE) were a powerful South Indian dynasty known for strong maritime power, temple-building (Brihadeshwara), efficient local self-government (village assemblies), and vibrant cultural patronage in Tamil and Sanskrit.
II. Short Answer Questions — Ready-to-Write Answers
1. State two significant features of inscriptions for providing information about the Cholas.
- They record administration: e.g. Uttaramerur inscription explains village administration, taxation and land revenue.
- They document gifts/endowments: copper-plate grants record gifts of land or privileges to temples or Brahmanas (e.g. Leyden grant of Parantaka Chola).
2. Who established the rule of the Cholas? Name the capital of his empire.
Answer: Vijayalaya Chola established the Chola rule. Capital: Thanjavur.
3. Why did Rajaraja undertake a naval expedition against Ceylon and Maldives?
Answer: To control lucrative overseas trade routes and display naval strength — he attacked Sri Lanka and the Maldives and conquered northern Sri Lanka.
4. Name any two great rulers of the Chola dynasty.
Answer: Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I.
5. Give any two achievements of Rajendra Chola.
- Annexation of northern Sri Lanka for about 50 years.
- Defeat of the Srivijaya king, strengthening trade with Southeast Asia and southern China.
6. Name the new capital built by Rajendra Chola and its present-day state.
Answer: Gangaikonda Cholapuram — located in present-day Tamil Nadu.
7. Why did the Cholas build a strong naval fleet?
Answer: To control trade routes, expand influence across Southeast Asia, and protect coastal territories.
8. What made the Chola administration strong and effective?
Answer: A clear three-tiered administrative system (central, provincial, local self-government), efficient revenue collection, and organized military administration.
9. Name the two languages promoted by the Cholas.
Answer: Tamil and Sanskrit.
10. Name any two features of temples built by the Cholas.
- Temples were centres for education (schools in temple courtyards).
- Temples were major employers, supporting artisans, dancers and workers.
11. Which is the best example of Chola temples? Give one reason.
Answer: Brihadeshwara Temple (Thanjavur) — a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture; it has a massive vimana of a single granite block and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
12. What is known as the ‘gopuram’? Name another feature of Chola temples.
Answer: Gopuram is the temple gateway. Another feature: the main shrine is called the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum).
III. Structured Questions — Model Answers (Write confidently)
1. Sources of information about the Cholas — (a) List the forms of inscriptions
- Copper-plate grant inscriptions
- Stone inscriptions
- Inscriptions on temple walls and pillars
1(b). Special feature of inscriptions? Who conceptualised the idea? Name one temple built by him.
Answer: Inscriptions often began with a prefatory summary of the king's achievements — an innovation credited to Rajaraja Chola I. He built the Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur.
1(c). Significance of Brihadeshwara Temple
- UNESCO World Heritage site; finest example of Dravidian architecture.
- Contains one of the earliest royal portraits (of Rajendra Chola) in temple art.
- Displays 108 karanas carved in stone — a link to Bharatanatyam, showing the temple's role in performing arts.
- Rich inscriptions listing types of jewels and administrative details; presence of Ashta-dikpalakas (guardians of eight directions).
2(a). Taxes imposed by the Cholas
Answer: Revenue came from land taxes, taxes on produce, and taxes on trade. Funds supported public works (roads, tanks), salaries of officials, the army, and temple maintenance.
2(b). Administration of the Kingdom
Answer: Central government (king + council), provinces (mandalam > valanadu > nadu > grama), and local self-government with active village councils.
2(c). The three types of village assemblies
- Ur — general village assembly including all landholders.
- Sabha — Brahmin-exclusive assembly.
- Nagaram — merchants' assembly in trading localities.
3(a). The King — the chief administrator
Answer: The king was supreme; he presided over governance, maintained law & order, led defence, and was assisted by ministers and officials.
3(b). Local Self-Government (short note)
Answer: Advanced village councils handled taxation, dispute resolution, allocation of water and local works. Land-owning villagers were elected to councils.
3(c). Temples as centres of social activity
Answer: Temples were centres of education, employment, culture (dance, music, drama), and social welfare (hospitals, shelters); they held large land and financial resources under royal patronage.
Picture-based Questions — Brihadeshwara Temple
a. Name the temple, builder and location
Answer: Brihadeshwara Temple, built by Rajaraja Chola I. Location: Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
b. Deity & two special features
Answer: Dedicated to Lord Shiva. Features: (1) 66‑m high vimana crowned by a single granite capstone (~80 tons). (2) Monolithic Shiva lingam and large mandapas including Nandi pavilion.
c. Architectural terms
Gateway: Gopuram; Shrine: Garbhagriha; Audience hall: Mandapa; Towers: Vimana.
Exam Tips — Score more marks
- Write short-and-sweet: For 2–4 marks answers, use 2–4 clear points with examples (e.g., Uttaramerur for inscriptions).
- Use dates & names: Mention Vijayalaya, Rajaraja I, Rajendra I, Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram where relevant.
- Link cause & effect: When asked 'why', always state reason + consequence (e.g., naval power → control of trade → wealth).
- Practice map/picture Qs: Label Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram; memorize 3 special features of Brihadeshwara.
- Memorize keywords: Ur, Sabha, Nagaram, Vimana, Garbhagriha, Gopuram.
Printable Revision Sheet (1-page)
Use the Print button at top to save as PDF. Below is a compact quick-reference table for last-minute revision.
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| Founding | Vijayalaya Chola — Capital: Thanjavur |
| Great rulers | Rajaraja I, Rajendra I |
| Capitals | Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram |
| Temples | Brihadeshwara — vimana, monolithic lingam, UNESCO |
| Administration | Central > Mandalam > Valanadu > Nadu > Grama; village assemblies: Ur, Sabha, Nagaram |
| Economy | Land & trade taxes; temples as employers |
Comments
Post a Comment