14000+ MCQs Ancient History (Sangam Period)
Total Questions:- 50
Time:- 30 Minutes
MCQ Pattern
Date:- 14/03/2026
1. The author of the Silappadikaram was:
2. Which river is praised in the fifth century Tamil epic, Silappadikaram?
3. Which site supposedly yielded a dock?
4. 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?
5. Which of the following dynasty is not mentioned in Sangam Literature?
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. The epic, ‘Silappadikaram’ refers to:
9. 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.
10. In the Battle of Venni, whom did the Chola king, Karikala defeat?
11. Pratisthana an important trading centre was on the river:
12. Religious anthology ‘Kural’ composed in which language?
13. Which of the following are the characters of the epic ‘Manimekalai’?
I. Udayakumara II. Sudhamati III. Kural IV. Adikal
14. Which of the following were the patrons of Sangam, and assembly of Tamil poets?
15. 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?
16. The early Tamil poet who makes a reference to the Nandas and Mauryas in his work is:
17. Puram in Sangam literature is a:
18. The word ‘Sangam’ is associated in Tamil history with:
19. 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) |
20. Which one of the following is not a Chola revenue term?
21. According to Sangam texts, the terms Kon, Ko and Mannan were attributed to which of the following?
22. Which one of the following ports was known as Poduke to the author of the ‘Periplus of the Erythraean Sea’?
23. In which of the following battles, the greatest Pandya ruler Nedunjeliyan defeated combined armies of Cholas and Cheras?
24. “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?
25. Who is the author of Manimekalai?
26. Consider the following statements.
I. The Cholas defeated Pandyas and Chora rulers and established their domination over peninsular India in the early medieval times.
II. The Cholas sent an expedition against Shailendra Empire of South-East Asia and conquered some of the areas. Which of these statements is/are correct?
27. The most popular God of the Tamil during the Sangam age was:
28. Which of the following was not a ruling dynasty of the Tamil country during the Sangam Age?
29. Which of the following customs were prevalent in the Sangam period social system?
30. Which of the following is/are not the epic/s of Sangam period?
I. Silappadikaram II. Manimekalai III. Amuktamalyada IV. Valayapathi V. Civaka Cintamani
31. 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) |
32. Which of the following Tamil text has been called ‘Laghuveda’?
33. Which of the following were epics in the early Tamil Literature?
34. Who is the earliest known ‘Chera’ king?
35. ‘Paripadal’ mentions a Chera king as a renowned musician. He was:
36. Where was the capital of Sangam period Chola located?
37. 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) |
38. The first translator of Mahabharata into Tamil was:
39. Which one of the following document gives evidence of a temple of Augustus at Muziris in South India?
40. The Sangams flourished at different places, which of the following places were associated with the three sangams?
41. The early Tamil anthologies mention terms such as ‘Pahri’, ‘Otam’, ‘Tamil’ and ‘Patagu’. These were used for:
42. 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
43. ‘Manimekalai’ epic is related to:
44. In the context of South India, Cave script means:
45. Where was the capital of Pandya Dynasty?
46. In Sangam literature ‘Tolkapiyyam’ is a text of:
47. The story of the transformation of a dancing girl into a Buddhist nun is narrated in:
48. 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.
49. Third Sangam was held at?
50. 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 |