MCQ: The Sangam Age- 2 - UPSC MCQ

The Chola kingdom known as Cholamandalam, was situated to the northeast of the Pandya territory between Pennar and Velar Rivers. Sangam literature throws light on the fact that their center of political power was Uraiyur, an important center of cotton products and their most important port was Puhar or Kaveripattinam.

A is the correct option.The Sangam period, or Sangam Age is the period of history of ancient Tamil Nadu and Kerala and parts of Sri Lanka (then known as Tamilakam) spanning from c. 6th century BCE to c. 3rd century CE.
Erythraean Sea refers to Korkai as Colchis and Ptolemy, an Egyptian geographer calls it Kolkhai. Multiple classical works of the Sangam literature. 
 

• Poduca: Poduca was not an important port on the western coast during the Sangam age.



• Colchi: Colchi was not a significant port in the Sangam age either.



• Balita: Balita was an important port on the western coast during the Sangam age. It served as a vital trading hub and facilitated trade with foreign countries.



• Sopatma: Sopatma was not a prominent port in the Sangam age.

Therefore, the correct answer is Balita, as it was the significant port on the western coast during the Sangam age.

The correct answer is B as great centre of cotton trade is uraiyur.

The correct option is A
Pliny wrote: “In no year does India draw our empire of less than five hundred and fifty millions of sesterces”.

• Embargo on imports from India: The Roman senate laid an embargo on the import of Muslin from India as it was considered a menace to the city's morals.


• Reasoning behind the embargo: Muslin was a luxurious fabric that was highly sought after by the Roman elite. However, the sheer and delicate nature of Muslin was believed to be provocative and immoral.


• Impact on the city: The Roman senate believed that the availability of Muslin in the city would lead to moral decadence and corrupt the values of the citizens.


• Alternative imports: In order to maintain the moral integrity of the city, the Roman senate restricted the import of Muslin and looked for alternative fabrics that were deemed more appropriate for the society.

• Hippalus in 45 A.D.: Hippalus, a Greek navigator, is credited with the discovery of the monsoon winds in 45 A.D. He found a direct route from the Red Sea to India by making use of these seasonal winds.


• Importance of Monsoon Winds: The discovery of the monsoon winds revolutionized trade and travel in the Indian Ocean region. It allowed for faster and more efficient maritime routes, leading to increased trade between regions.


• Plutarch, Strabo, and Pliny: While Plutarch, Strabo, and Pliny were renowned scholars and geographers of their time, it was Hippalus who specifically identified and utilized the monsoon winds for navigation purposes.

Therefore, the correct answer is A: Hippalus in 45 A.D.

D is the correct option.Both Ettutogai and Pattuppattu were divided into two main groups – Aham (love) and Puram (valour). During the post-Sangam period, Pathinenkilkanakku or eighteen works dealing with ethics and morals was composed. The most important among them is Tirukkural written by Thiruvalluvar.

A is the correct option.

• Arikamedu is an archaeological site in Southern India, in Kakkayanthope, Ariyankuppam Commune, Puducherry. 
• The 1st century CE Greco-Roman text Periplus of the Erythraean Sea refers to Korkai as Colchis 
• Tyndis Port also has some vague reference as 'Tondi' in Sangam period literature. 
• Bharuch formerly known as Broach, is a city at the mouth of the river Narmada in Gujarat in ... It was known to the Greeks and Romans as Barygaza, and probably had a settlement of Greek traders. 
• Kannur is an ancient port town that finds mention in Greek literature as the port of Naura. In medieval history, Kannur was one of the most important trading ports 
   

• Magasthenes Reference: Magasthenes refers to the rule of Heracles' daughter who was assigned villages to rule in the Southern region.


• Founder of Pandya Kingdom: Heracles' daughter is believed to be the founder of the Pandya kingdom.

• Options:




• A: Pandai


• B: Panlavi


• C: Maitri


• D: Pandara

• Answer: A - Pandai

• Confirmation: Heracles' daughter, referred to by Magasthenes, is believed to be the founder of the Pandya kingdom.


• Identification: The daughter is identified as Pandai, as per historical references and accounts.

Foreign Authors and Sangam Age

• Pliny, the Elder: Pliny, the Elder, was a Roman author who mentioned about the trade relations between the Roman Empire and the ancient Tamil country during the Sangam Age.



• Strabo: Strabo, a Greek geographer, also wrote about the trade connections between the Roman Empire and the Tamil kingdoms during the Sangam Age.



• Author of the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea: The anonymous author of the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, an ancient Greek navigation guide, provided valuable information about the maritime trade activities in the Indian Ocean region, including the Sangam Age.



• Ptolemy: Ptolemy, a Greco-Roman mathematician, astronomer, and geographer, also mentioned about the geography and trade routes of the Indian subcontinent during the Sangam Age.

Therefore, all of the foreign authors mentioned in the options - Pliny, the Elder, Strabo, the author of the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, and Ptolemy - have contributed valuable insights about the Sangam Age and its trade connections with other parts of the world.

B is the correct option.The Tiger or Jumping Tiger was the royal emblem of the Cholas and was depicted on coins, seals and banners.

C is the correct option. Nicolaus of Damascus describes an embassy sent by the Indian king Porus (Pandya) to Caesar Augustus. The embassy traveled with a diplomatic letter on a skin in Greek. One of its members was a sramana who burned himself alive in Athens to demonstrate his faith. 

A is the correct option.In spite of being one of the glorious kings, “King Karikalan” is well known till this day for his monumental undertaking and completion of "Kaveri river –Kallanai dam (Grand Anicut) Irrigation project" that is fully functional till this day. River Kaveri is the greatest river of Chola Kingdom (Tamil Nadu).

Manimekalai was written by Seethalai Saathanar or Chithalai Chathanar.

Silappadikaram, one of the Tamil epics was written by Ilango Adigal. 

Thiruvalluvar, one of the greatest authors in Indian history, wrote Thirukkural more than 2000 years ago.

Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi  Book by Tirutakkatevar

• Identifying the Chera King: The Chera king who is the brother of Ilango, the author of the Sangam epic 'Silappadikaram' is Senuguttuvan.



• Explanation:





• Nedunjeral: Nedunjeral is not the brother of Ilango, the author of 'Silappadikaram'.



• Karikala: Karikala is a famous Chola king and not related to Ilango.



• Nedunjjeliyan: Nedunjjeliyan is another prominent Chera king but not the brother of Ilango.



• Senuguttuvan: Senuguttuvan is the correct answer as he is the brother of Ilango, the author of 'Silappadikaram'.

Explanation:

• Ma and Vedi: In the Sangam period, Ma and Vedi were measures of land used for taxation purposes.


• Ma: Ma was a unit of land measurement equivalent to around 2.5 acres. It was used to assess the tax payable by farmers based on the extent of land they owned.


• Vedi: Vedi was another unit of land measurement that was smaller than Ma. It was used to measure smaller plots of land for taxation purposes.


• Taxes: The taxes collected based on Ma and Vedi were an essential source of revenue for the rulers during the Sangam period.


• Importance: Understanding these units of land measurement helps us comprehend the economic and administrative systems of the time, providing insights into the society's agricultural practices and taxation structure.

Palai - The dry lands
Mullai - The jungle and woodland
Kurinji - The Hills
Neydal - The coast 
Marudam - The cultivated plains 

Kurinji (the hilly region), Mullai (the pastoral region), Marutham (the cultivable land), Neithal (the coastal region), and Palai (the desert-like region). The people of Kurinji were essentially hunters. As the Mullai was a pastoral land, the people were cowhereds or shepherds and they were known as Kovalar or Ayar.

• Rock Edicts of Ashoka: These are a series of inscriptions on large rocks or pillars by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka during his reign in the 3rd century BC.


• Southern Kingdoms mentioned: Cholas, Pandyas, Satiyaputra, Keralaputra, and Ceylon are mentioned in the Rock Edicts of Ashoka.


• Identifying the correct Rock Edicts: To determine which two Rock Edicts mention these Southern kingdoms, we need to refer to historical records and inscriptions.


• Second and Thirteenth Rock Edicts: These two Rock Edicts of Ashoka mention the Southern kingdoms Cholas, Pandyas, Satiyaputra, Keralaputra, and Ceylon.


• Conclusion: Therefore, the correct answer is B: Second and Thirteenth Rock Edicts of Ashoka mention the Southern kingdoms Cholas, Pandyas, Satiyaputra, Keralaputra, and Ceylon.

• Location: The Romans, who were trading with the Sangam kingdoms, built a temple of Augustus at Muziris.


• Significance: Muziris was an ancient port city located in present-day Kerala, India. It was a major center for trade and attracted traders from various parts of the world, including the Romans.


• Historical Context: The temple of Augustus at Muziris is a testament to the cultural exchange and trade relations between the Romans and the Sangam kingdoms during that period.


• Archaeological Evidence: Archaeological excavations have revealed the presence of Roman artifacts and structures at Muziris, further confirming the historical significance of the site.