1. What were the contributions of the Cholas in Literature?

The development of Tamil literature reached its zenith during the Chola period. The two master pieces of this age are the Ramayana composed by Kambar and the Periyapuranam or Thiruttondarpurnam by Sekizhar. Seevaka Chinthamani was written by Thiruthaka Devar. Nambiandar Nambi compiled Panniruthirumurai, a saivite work. Nalayiradivyaprabhandam a Vishnavite work was compiled by Nathamuni. Muvarula, Kulothunga Pillai Tamil, Thakayagaparani were written by Ottakkuthar. Jeyamkondar wrote Kalingathuparani. Commentators like Ilampuranar, Nachinarkiniyar and Parimelazhagar belonged to this period.

2. Which are the chief centres of the Chola art and architecture?

Thiruchirappalli, Srirangam, Tanjore, Kumbakonam, Chidambaram, Thiruvannamalai, Trivandrum, Suchindram and Udipi are the chief centers of Chola art.

3. What do you know about Chola sculptures?

Portraits, icons and decorative sculptures are the main features of Chola sculptures. The portraits are full of grace and beauty. The icons of Rajaraja-I are remarkable. The sculptures of Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, eight armed Durga in the Shiva and Vishnu temples are a few examples of Chola sculptures.

4. What was the impact of Imperial Cholas?

The Imperial Cholas who ruled from 850 A.D to 1279 A.D played a significant role in the Tamil country for about 430 years. They have made an impressive impact on Polity, Tamil Literature, Temple architecture, music and dance. They were the only imperial power who founded an overseas empire and spread the glories of the Tamil culture far and wide.

5. Describe briefly about the early Pandyas and First Pandya Empire?

               The Early Pandyas belonged to the Sangam Age. A remarkable feature of this period was the maintenance of a flourishing Tamil Literary Academy or Sangam at Madurai. The capital of the Pandyas was Madurai and their emblem was fish. With the rise of the Kalabhras, the Sangam Age declinded.

               The Pandya king Kadungon restored the position of the Panyas in the last quarter of the 6th Century A.D by overthrowing the Kalabharas. The dynasty founded by him is generally referred to as the First Pandya Kingdom. The most important rulers of this period were Arikesari Maravarman, Ranadhiran, Maravarman Rajasimha-I, Varaguna-I and Srimara Srivallabha.

6. How was the first Pandya Empire declined?

The successors of Srimara Srivallabha had to face the onslaught of the Pallavas and the Cholas. In the 10th and the 11th centuries the Pandyas made several attempts to revive their past glory. The opposition from the Pallavas and the Cholas let to the decline of the First Pandya Empire.

7. What do you know about Jatavarman Kulasekara Pandya I?

Jatavarman Kulasekara-I succeeded his father Vikrama Pandya. He ruled over Madurai, Ramanthapuram, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari. He appointed his brother, Maravarman Sundara Pandya as his successor.

8. What led to the decline of the Pandya Empire?

A war of succession broke out between Sundara Pandya and Vira Pandya, the sons of Maravarman Kulasekaran-I. with the help of Ala-ud-din Khilji’s commander Malik Kafur, Sundara Pandya ascended the throne. The Tughluqs who succeeded the Khilji’s extended their hold over South India and declared the Pandya Empire as a part of the Tughluq Empire.  The decline of the Tughluq power led to the establishment of the Sultans of Madurai which ultimately resulted in the complete decline of the Pandya Empire.

9. Name a few occupations of the Pandyas.

Agriculture and Trade were the main occupations of the people. The agriculturists were called as Boomiputirar. Many slaves were employed to carry on different tasks. The Pandyas were famous for pearl diving. The pearls of the Pandya Empire were famous all over the world.

10. What was the contribution of the Pandyas to the progress of Literature?

Manickavasagar’s composed Thiruvasagam, Andal’s composed Thiruppavai, Nammalvar’s composed Thiruppallandu, Villiputhurar wrote Mahabharatha, Adhiveerarama Pandya wrote Naidadham, Srikaviraya wrote books namely Seyur Murugan ula and Rathingiri ula. Thus the Pandyas contributed greatly to the progress of literature.

11. Discuss the contributions of the Pallavas to art, architecture and fine arts.

               The Pallava rulers began the Dravidian style of temple architecture. Its development can be seen in four styles. The first style was the Rock cut temple which was introduced by Mahendravarman-I. These styles of temples were excavated at places like Mahendravadi, Mammandur, Dalavanur, Thiruchirappali, Siyamangalam, Thirukazhukundaram etc.
               The second style is represented by the Monolithic rathas and mandapas found at Mamallapuram. The third style is the structural temple in the Rajasimha style. Eg: Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi, the Shore temple at Mamallapuram, etc. The last style is also the Structural temples continued by the later Pallavas. Eg: Vaikundaperumal temple, the Muktheeswara temple etc.
               The Pallava rulers also paid considerable attention to the fine arts like music and painting. Mahendravarman assumed the title of Sankirtanajati for his mastery in music. Exquisite paintings of the Pallavas are found in the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi.

12. Explain in detail about the Chola administration?

               The Cholas set up a highly efficient system of administration. The empire was divided into provinces called Mandalams. The Mandalams were further divided into Kottams, Districts called Nadu or Valanadu and Villages called Urs.
               The Utharamerur inscription of Parantaka-I gives a detailed account of the village administration. Each village had a Village Assembly called Ur or Sabha, which looked after the administration of the village.
The members of the Village Assembly were elected by the Kudavolai System. The names of the eligible persons were written on palm leaves and put into a pot. A boy or a girl would pick up thirty names. The chosen persons were declared elected.
              There were Variyams such as Samvatsara Variyam, Eri Variyam, Thotta variyam, Pancha variyam, Pon variyam and Puravuvari variyam to carry out the different functions of the village. Its members were called as Variyaperumakkal. The number of Variyams and its members varied from village to village.

13. Give an account of the Pandya contribution to temple architecture.

            The Pandya contribution to art and architecture is noteworthy. The special features of the Pandya temple architecture are the Gopuras, Prakaras, Vimanas, Garbagrahas and Gateways.
            The Pandya period marked a reawakening in the field of rock-cut temples. More than 50  rock cut temples  were  excavated in  the Pandya  Kingdom at several places like Kunnakudi, Anaimalai, Sithannavasal, Thiruparankundram, Kalugunnalai,Malaiyadikurichi,Thiruchirappalli, etc.,
             Structural temples were constructed by the Pandya rulers at Kovilpatty, Tiruppathur, Madurai, Srivilliputhur and other places. Kulasekara Pandya built arthamandapa, manimandapa and sannati in every temple of his empire. Public meetings, social gatherings, religious keerthans, recitals and Katha-Nataka were held in the sabha mandapas of temples.

14. Explain in detail about the rule of the Pallava king Narasimhavarman-II?

             Narasimhavarman II, the son of Parameswaran I was one of the most famous rulers of the Pallavas. His reign was marked by peace and prosperity. He built several fine temples including the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi, the Shore temple at Mamallapuram and the Talagirisvara temple at Panamalai. The famous Sanskrit scholar Dandin, author of Dandialankaram (Sanskrit Grammar work) spent many years in his court. Trade relations were established even with China.
           Parameswaran—II, the son of Narasimhavarman - II     came to power in 728 A.D. He was defeated by the Chalukya ruler Vikramaditya - II.  He died in a battle with the Gangas. The Simhavishnu line of rule came to an end with the death of Parameswaram-II as his son did not succeed him.
           Nandivarman-II Pallavamalla was the son of Simhavishnu's brother Hiranyavarman. He was chosen by the Pallava ministers, the members of ghatika (college of learning) and the common people to succeed Parameswaran-II. Nandivarman II was a worshipper of Vishnu. He built the Vaikunta Perumal temple at Kanchi. The great Vaishnava Saint Thirumangai  Alwar  was  his contemporary.

15. Write an essay about the second Pandya Empire.

            From the 13th century onwards the Pandyas   progressively detached themselves from the Chola rule     and reasserted their independence. In the civil war which broke out between Vikrama Pandya and Virapandya, Vikrama Pandya captured power with the support of Kulothunga-III the Chola Emperor.
           Jatavarman Kulasekara-I succeeded his father Vikrama Pandya. He ruled over Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari. He appointed his brother, Maravarman Sundara Pandya as his successor.
           Maravarman Sundara Pandya-I defeated Kulottunga Chola-III in 1219 A.D. As the Hoysalas came to the support of the Cholas, he restored the throne to the Chola  ruler  Rajaraja-Ill  and assumed   the  title 'Sonadu Valangiaruliya Sundara Pandya'.Maravarman Sundara Pandya-II recovered from the Chola ruler Rajendra-III some of the territories which he had lost earlier.
          Jatavarman Sundara Pandya-I succeeded Maravarman Sundara Pandya-II. He extended the empire from Nellore and Cuddappah districts in the North to Cape Comorin in the South. He took up the titles Emmandalamum Kondaruliya Maharajathiraja, Sri Paramesvaran and Ponveintha Perumal.
         Jatavarman Sundara Pandya-l's son   Maravarman Kulasekaran-I enlarged his kingdom. He invaded Ceylon and captured Kollam in the Chera land. He assumed the title Kollam Konda Pandya. The power of the Pandyas started declining after him.