1. Write a brief note on history of Tamil Nadu ?

Tamil language and culture are the oldest surviving ones in Dravidian family of civilization. Dravidian civilization flourished with its nucleus in Indus valley and with arrival of Aryans, they shifted to Peninsular India. Tamil language and literature are noted for its antiquity. The three ancient Tamil empires of Chera, Chola and Pandya were of ancient origins. With the decline of the three ancient dynasties during the 14^th century, the Tamil country became part of the Vijayanagara Empire.

2. Comment on the ancient literature of Tamil Nadu ?

Tamil literature spans to more than 2000 years. The early Sangam literature, starting from the period of 2^nd century BC, contain literary work of various poets dealing with different aspects of life. This was followed by epics and moral literature, authored by Hindu, Jain and Buddhist authors that lasted upto the 5^th century CE. From the 6^th to 12^th century CE, the Tamil devotional poems written by Nayanmars(sages of Shaivism) and Alvars(sages of Vaishnavism) heralded the great Bhakti movement which later swept away the entire Indian subcontinent.

3. Explain the administrative system under Sangam age ?

The Sangam age had monarchial governments with absolute monarch as head. The King's court consisted of ministers, generals, high officials, chief queen, heir apparent and junior princes. Empire was divided into Mandalams and Mandalams into Nandus and Nandus into Kottams. Kottams consisted of a number of perurs, Urs, Nagarams and Pattinams. 'Ur' or 'Urar' for villages and Natars for Nadus looked after the local administration.

4. How was the life of Brahmin's during sangam age ?

Villages endowed to Brahmins were governed by the assemblies of local Brahmins. They enjoyed complete freedom from external interference was exempted from regular taxes.

5. Describe briefly the five Thinais ?

1. Hills and hilly regions were called Kurinji and their population was called Kuravar.
2. The pastoral slopes were called Mullai and their population was called Idayar.
3. Marutham includes the fertile cultivable plains with population called Uzhavar.
4. Neidal had population called Minavar and they occupied the coastal or littoral region.
5. Paalai had population called Kallar and occupied the desert region.

6. Name few important temple during Sangam age ?

The temples of the Sangam age were built out of perishable materials such as plaster, timber and brick. Shore temple, kailasanathar temple, Vaikuntha perumal temple were among those many temples built during Sangam period.

7. Write about the scientific knowledge during Sangam period ?

Tamil had developed their own system of Mathematics. They had strong base on calculation, astronomy as well as medical system. Seasons were referred to as Elavenil, Elaiudir, etc. Medicines like Elathi, Tirikadukam, Siru pancha, etc were used during those period.

8. Who were Kaniyans ?

Kaniyans were both astronomer and astrologer. They were descended from a degraded section of the Tamil Brahmins. They ascribed their "rudimentary" knowledge of Sanskrit, medicine and astrology to those origins.

9. Explain the medical system during Sangam period ?

Tamil Siddhas produced excellent treaties on Siddha system of medicine. The treatment had elaborate diagnosis and treatment by herbs and chemicals. It also provided pharmacological details.

10. What do you understand by 'Tolkappiyam' ?

One of the earliest written scriptures in Tamil grammar is known as Tolkappiyam. It is a work on the grammar of the Tamil language and the earliest extant work of Tamil literature. It is written in the form of noorpaa or short formulaic compositions and comprises three books - the Ezhuttadikaram, the Solladikaram and the Poruladikaram. Each of these books is further divided into nine chapters each.

11. Write about the architecture during Sangam age ?

Architecture during Sangam age consisted primarily of pyramid shaped temples called Kovils in Tamil. The greatest accomplishments of the kingdoms of the early Chola, Chera and the Pandyan kingdoms included brick shrines to deities Murugan, Shiva, Amman and Thirumal of the Tamil pantheon. Some were built, several others have been unearthed near Adichanallur, Kaveripoompattinam and Mahabalipuram.

12. Describe art during Sangam age ?

Sangam Tamils had their own system of music, dance and drama which in Tamil was called Pann, Aadal and Koothu respectively. The Panar and Viraliyar were professional musicians and dancers. String instruments, wind instruments and drums were used by performers. Festivals and worships were associated with dance and music.

13. Explain the religious practices followed in ancient Tamil society ?

Religious practices were on Tinai basis. The people were liberal in their religious outlook. Religion did not dominate socio-political activities. Hero stones were worshipped. Seyon, Mayon, Vendan, Varun, valiyon and Kotraval were popular dieties. Singing, dancing, offering flowers, grains and animals were associated with worship.

14. Write a short note on Kalabhra age ?

Kalabhras uprooted the Tamil kingdoms in the second phase from 3^rd century A.D to 6^th century A.D. Achyuta Vikrantha was the most popular kalabhra ruler who ruled from Uraiyur. Kalabhras were replaced by the Pallavas of Kanchi in North of Tamil Nadu and Pandiyas of Madurai in South Tamil Nadu.

15. Comment on the Chola dynasty ?

Chola dynasty was a Tamil dynasty which was one of the longest ruling dynasties in southern India. The heartland of the Cholas was the fertile valley of the Kaveri river. The history of the Cholas falls into four periods: the early Cholas of the Sangam literature, the interregnum between the fall of the Sangam Cholas and the rise of the medieval  Cholas under Vijayalaya, the dynasty of Vijayalaya, and finally the Later Chola dynasty of Kulothunga Chola I from the third quarter of the 11^th century.

16. How was the trade relation during Chola rule ?

The Cholas excelled in foreign trade and maritime activity, extending their influence overseas to China and South East Asia. The Tang dynasty of China, the Srivijaya empire in the Malayan archipelago under the Sailendras, and the Abbasid Kalifat at Baghdad were the main trading partners.

17. What was the contribution of Sangam literature to the modern literary world ?

Sangam literature comprises some of the oldest extant Tamil literature and deals with love, war, governance, trade and bereavement. Though much of the Tamil literature belonging to this period has been lost, the literature currently available from this period is perhaps just a fraction of the wealth of material produced during this golden age of Tamil civilization.

18. What do you understand by Bhakti movement ?

Bhakti movement originated in Tamil Nadu and gained momentum during Pallava period. Nayanmars and Alvars played major role in Bhakti movement. They carried out intensive propaganda against Jain and Buddhist. Siva, Thirumal and their consorts became important deities. Murugan cilt became popular. Brahmins replaced local priests in temples and their sanskrit become the religious language.

19. Write a brief note on the reign of Pallavas ?

Pallavas ruled regions of Northern Tamil Nadu and Southern Andhra Pradesh between the 2^nd and 9^th centuries CE. They gained prominence after the eclipse of the Satavahana dynasty, whom the Pallavas served as feudatories. Simha Vishnu, Mahendravarman I and Narashimhavaman I built a powerful empire by overcoming the challenges form Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and Gangas. They were patrons of Saivism and Vaishnavism and built temples of Vaishnavite and Saivite deities.

20. 'Chola age is known as Golden age of Mahasabhas'. Comment.

The villages endowed to Brahmins were governed by assemblies of local Brahmins. These Mahasabhas enjoyed complete freedom from external interference and exempted from regular taxes.