UPSC Prelims previous year questions on Dynastic History & Early Tamilakam (Ancient History) — real questions with answers and explanations.
2026Pairs/Matching (Traditional Style)Dynastic History & Early Tamilakam
Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched ?
1. Senguttuvan : Chera
2. Udiyanjeral : Chola
3. Nedunjeliyan : Pandya
A.1 and 2
B.2 only
C.1 and 3
D.3 only
Explanation: * Pair 1 is correctly matched: Senguttuvan (the Red Chera) was a prominent ruler of the Chera dynasty, celebrated in the Tamil epic Silappadikaram and credited with establishing the Pattini (Kannagi) cult.
* Pair 2 is NOT correctly matched: Udiyanjeral (Uthiyan Cheralathan) belonged to the Chera dynasty, not the Chola dynasty. He is considered the first historically recorded Chera ruler of the Sangam period.
* Pair 3 is correctly matched: Nedunjeliyan was a famous king of the Pandya dynasty. Sangam literature mentions prominent Pandyan kings by this name, such as Nedunjeliyan II, who won the Battle of Talaiyalanganam against a combined Chera and Chola force.
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2025Direct Conceptual / Factual MCQDynastic History & Early Tamilakam
Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta' and 'Gunabhara'?
A.Mahendravarman I
B.Simhavishnu
C.Narasimhavarman I
D.Simhavarman
Explanation: * (a) Mahendravarman I is correct: He was a Pallava king who ruled from 600 A.D. to 630 A.D. and assumed many titles such as 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta', and 'Gunabhara'.
* The Mandagappattu inscription hails him as Vichitrachitta because he constructed a temple for Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva without the use of bricks, timber, metal, and mortar. He was also a great scholar in the Sanskrit language and wrote the satirical drama Mattavilasa Prahasanam.
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2025Direct Conceptual / Factual MCQDynastic History & Early Tamilakam
Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands?
A.Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)
B.Prataparudra (Kakatiya)
C.Rajendra I (Chola)
D.Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)
Explanation: * (c) Rajendra I (Chola) is correct: Rajendra Chola I (reigned 1014–1044 CE) succeeded his father Rajaraja Chola I.
* He continued the policy of expansion, which included an expedition to the Ganges valley. Even more ambitious was Rajendra's overseas campaign involving both his army and his navy against the kingdom of Srivijaya in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and southern Thailand.
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