7.Chapter11.The Rise of Small Kingdom in South India

         Class 7.Subject - S.St.History.

         Chapter - 11 The Rise of Small Kingdoms in South India

A.Tick the correct option

Who was the founder of Chola dynasty

Ans. Vijayalaya

The famous temple built by Rajaraja-I at Tanjore was -

Ans. Rajrajeshwara temple

Which kingdom gave a final blow to the Pandyas ?

Ans. Vijayanagar

The term Mandalam stands for

Ans. A  province

What was the main source of income of the Chola rulers?

Ans.land tax 

          C.Short the names of the kings as per their dynasties.

          B.Fill in the blanks

1. During 750 CE, South India saw the rule of Chola Pandya 

and Cheras.

2. Indian historians believe that chalukyas were Kshatriyas.

3. Vijayalaya defeated Pallavas.

4. Rajendra Chola succeeded Rajaraja.

5. Kanchipuram was the main centre of education during 700 CE 

to 1200 CE in South India.

          D.Answer the following questions in brief:

Q.1.Name the powerful Kingdom that emerged in South India in 

the 8th Century.

Ans. The Chola Kingdom

Q.2.Name three kingdoms that were mentioned in Ashoka edicts.

Ans. The Chola Kingdom , The Pandya Kingdom and The 

Chera Kingdom.

Q.3. Which languages flourished during Chola and Pandyas period? 

Ans. Sanskrit and Tamil

Q.4.Name the main areas that form the part of the Pandya Kingdom.

Ans.Madurai ,Tirunelveli and part of Travancore .

Q.5.Where were the Rock Cut temples built?

Ans. Mahabalipuram , Kanchipuram, Badami, Pattadakal, Ajanta 

Elora and Elephanta.E. Answer the following questions:

Q.1.Mention the main achievements of Rajaraja, the Great.

Ans. Rajaraja the great, ruled from 1012 to 44 CE.and it was 

under him that  the Cholas had risen to supreme power in South India.

(1)  He was defeated the Cheras and Pandyas and captured 

the region of Kerala and Madurai.

(2) He built the famous Rajrajeshwara Temple at Tanjore.

(3) He spread the message of Vedas among the common people.

(4) He took the title of Gangaikondai ( Victor of Ganga )

Q.2.Describe the socio economic condition of the people in southern states.

Ans. The society of South India was also caste- like that of North 

India Brahmins and Kshatriyas dominated the lower caste.

The peasants tilled the  land which belonged to the rulers or 

the temples. Taxes on land and trade were the main source of revenue

Apart of the revenue was set aside for the royal household 

and rest was used for building roads temples thanks salary 

of officials and on maintenance of the armed forces. The 

economic condition of the people was good. Agriculture, trade,

weaving were the main occupations of the people. The irrigation

facilities were well- developed which increased the agricultural yield.

Q.3.  What were the religious beliefs of the people in the southern

states during the medieval period

 Ans. Religion played an important part of the life of people in South

India.Hinduism was the most popular religion. Vedic Sacrifice were

quite common. Kanchipuram, the capital of Pallavas, was an important

centre of studies of Sanskrit and regional languages

like Tamil.It was also a pilgrimage for Hindu devotees.The bhakti

saints the teachings of the effects of Ramayana Mahabharata which

were translated into many South Indian languages.

Q.4.  Describe the development of art and architecture under the

southern rulers.

Ans. The rulers of the southern kingdoms were not only a great

warrior but also great patrons of art and architecture. They built a

number of important temples. The large Rock - Cut temples at

Mahabalipuram and the Kailashnath was built in the eighth century.

The Shiva temple of Tanjore and the bronze statue of Nataraj were

fine  examples of Chola art.

Q.5.  List the differences between the kingdom of North and South on

the basis of following aspects

a. Administration b.Societ c.Economy d.Religion e. Education f.Art and

Architecture

Ans. The differences between Kingdom of  North and South India.

a.Administration -- The king spend huge amounts of money on

building up strong armies. He was assisted by different officials,But in

South India, his office was hereditary .The king ran the administration

with the help of ministers.

b.Society -- The king, the feudal lords and the brahmins in high

positions,enjoyed a life of luxury. Land was cultivated mainly by 

shudras. But in south India the brahmins and kshatriyas dominated

the  lower castes.The peasants tilled the land which belonged to

the  rulers or the temples.

c.Economy -- The people living in villages were poor.The kings

granted  land as rewards to officers who came to be known as

Thakurs or Rais.But in south India the economy condition of people

was good.Land was fixed at one-third of the produce by the Chola 

Rulers.

d.Religion -- During this period, the Bhakti saints preached devotion

to God and opposed social discriminations,superstitions and

narrow-mindedness.Monasteries at Nalanda was the main centre

of studies. But in south India the Bhakti saints preached the

teachings of the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Kanchipuram was the important centre of studies of Sanskrit and

regional languages.

e.Education -- The elementary education was limited to temples

and monasteries. The study of philosophy and religion was

encouraged.But in south India the temples were not only the places

of worship but also important centres of culture, administration and

education. Each temple had matha,which provided free education,

Boarding and lodging to the students

f.Art and Architecture -- The examples of the paintings of North India

can be found in the form of murals in palaces, caves and temples.But

in south India the large rock-cut temples and the

bronze statues of Natraja are fine examples of Chola art.