14000+ MCQs Ancient History (Sangam Period)
Total Questions:- 50
Time:- 30 Minutes
MCQ Pattern
Date:- 29/01/2026
1. In which of the following battles, the greatest Pandya ruler Nedunjeliyan defeated combined armies of Cholas and Cheras?
2. Which one of the following ports was known as Poduke to the author of the ‘Periplus of the Erythraean Sea’?
3. The ‘Pattuppattu’ is a collection of poems in the praise of which of the following kings?
4. Which of the following are the characters of the epic ‘Manimekalai’?
I. Udayakumara II. Sudhamati III. Kural IV. Adikal
5. Which of the following is called ‘The Bible of Tamil land’?
6. Which of the following characterised the Tamil society of Sangam Age?
I. Complex caste system. II. Prohibition of intermarriage between the kings and the velalas. III. Vegetarianism among the Brahmins. IV. Gradual Aryanisation. Select the correct answer using the codes given below
7. The sage who is said to have Aryanised South India was:
8. Assertion (A) Many Roman gold and silver coins belonging to the first and second countries have been discovered in South India. Reason (R) Some parts of South India were under Roman occupation during this period.
9. ‘Paripadal’ mentions a Chera king as a renowned musician. He was:
10. Who among the following are known for their Telugu translation of the Mahabharata?
I. Kamban II. Kuttan III. Nannayya IV. Tikkana Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
11. The term ‘Yavanpriya’ mentioned in ancient Sanskrit text denoted:
12. Who is the author of Manimekalai?
13. Ginger and cinnamon were produced in large quantities in the Pandya country is mentioned by:
14. Which one of the following document gives evidence of a temple of Augustus at Muziris in South India?
15. “In a space in which an elephant could lie, one can produce enough grain to feed seven”. This was stated in Sangam poems for which of the following Kingdom?
16. The Roman settlement has been found in:
17. Which of the following dynasty is not mentioned in Sangam Literature?
18. Where was the capital of Pandya Dynasty?
19. Which one of the following objects of Roman manufacture has been most abundantly found in India?
20. The most popular God of the Tamil during the Sangam age was:
21. Match the following (Ancient Port) with their Location.
| List I (Port) | List II (Location) |
| A. Barygaza | 1. Malabar Coast (South-West Coast) |
| B. Muziris | 2. Present Day Mumbai Coast |
| C. Sopara | 3. The Eastern Coast of India |
| D. Suvarnabhumi | 4. At the North of the Narmada River (Gulf of Khambhat) |
22. Match the following (Five-fold Division of Sangam Land - Tinai).
| List I (Physiographic Division/ Tinai) | List II (Inhabitant/Occupation) |
| A. Kurinji (Hills) | 1. Kuravar (Hunters/Gatherers) |
| B. Palai (Arid Zone/Desert) | 2. Maravar (Warriors/Plunderers) |
| C. Mullai (Pastoral/Forest) | 3. Ayar (Cattle rearers/Shepherds) |
| D. Marutam (Wet/Agricultural Land) | 4. Uzhavar (Farmers/Cultivators) |
| E. Neytal (Coastal Region) | 5. Valayar (Fishermen/Salt Makers) |
23. Which of the following customs were prevalent in the Sangam period social system?
24. Which site supposedly yielded a dock?
25. The epic, ‘Silappadikaram’ refers to:
26. The protracted Civil War between two Chola chieftains Nalankili and Nedunkilli, were mentioned by which poet?
27. Consider the following statements.
I. Nedunjeliyan, a Pandyan king, patronised Buddhism.
II. He was also the king of the epic Silappadikaram, authored by Ilango Adigal. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
28. Which of the following were the patrons of Sangam, and assembly of Tamil poets?
29. In the context of South India, Cave script means:
30. The Sangams flourished at different places, which of the following places were associated with the three sangams?
31. In the Battle of Venni, whom did the Chola king, Karikala defeat?
33. Who is the earliest known ‘Chera’ king?
34. Which of the following were parts of the Chera kingdom?
I. Korkkai II. Musiri III. Puhar IV. Saliyur V. Tondi Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
35. ‘Tirukural’ forms part of:
36. Who among the following was the author of the Tamil Ramayanam or Ramavataram?
37. Match List I (Sangam Official/Class) with List II (Function/Designation) and select the correct answer.
| List I (Official/Class) | List II (Function/Designation) |
| A. Amaichhar | 1. Purohits (Priests) |
| B. Anthanar | 2. Ministers |
| C. Senaptiyar | 3. Spies |
| D. Orar | 4. Senapati (Military Commander) |
38. ‘Manimekalai’ epic is related to:
39. Which of the following were epics in the early Tamil Literature?
40. Consider the following statements.
I. In the Sangam age, the exchange was based on a kind of barter system.
II. There were certain fixed points of exchange called ‘avanam’. Which of the above given statements is/are correct?
41. Where was the capital of Sangam period Chola located?
42. The word ‘Sangam’ is associated in Tamil history with:
43. The early Tamil poet who makes a reference to the Nandas and Mauryas in his work is:
44. Match item of List I (Sangam Text) with those of List II (Subject/Content) and select your correct answer from the code given below in the lists.
| List I (Sangam Text) | List II (Subject/Content) |
| A. Thirukkural | 1. Love Story (Later life) |
| B. Tolkappiyam | 2. Philosophy/Ethics |
| C. Silappadikaram | 3. Merchant Story (Anklet) |
| D. Manimekalai | 4. Grammar |
45. Consider the following statements with reference to early Chola.
I. The culture of early Chola is an amalgam of Dravidian and Aryan. II. The stories of Mahabharata and Ramayana were well known to early Chola people. III. There is evidence that, there were trade relations between Early Chola and Roman empire. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
46. Consider the following statements.
I. Senguttuvan, the son of Imayavaramban was the contemporary of Yajna Sri Satkarni.
II. The Silappadikaram gives a detailed account of the exploits of Senguttuvan. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
47. Consider the following statements.
I. The largest source of revenue during Sangam period was land tax called ‘Karai’.
II. The kingdom was divided into Mandalam, Nadu, Ur, Sirur and Perur. Choose the correct answer using the codes given below.
48. Who were ‘Umanar’ in the Sangam Age?
49. Puram in Sangam literature is a:
50. Which of the following Chera ruler is known by the name ‘Red Chera’?
