Chapter Mock Test
Total Marks:40
Duration:45 min
Total Questions:20
Difficulty:Mixed
Test Structure
- —Section A: 10 MCQs (1 mark each)
- —Section B: 6 Short Answer (3 marks each)
- —Section C: 2 Long Answer (5 marks each)
Before taking the test
- —Know the samanta system: subordinate chiefs who served kings, gained power, and established independent dynasties (e.g., Rashtrakutas under Dantidurga)
- —Understand the Hiranyagarbha ritual and how it legitimised non-Kshatriya rulers claiming kingship
- —Remember key taxes: Vetti (forced labour) and Kadamai (land revenue) -- know the difference
- —Know the Tripartite Struggle: Gurjara-Pratiharas vs Rashtrakutas vs Palas for control of Kanauj
- —Mahmud of Ghazni: 17 raids (1000-1025 CE), looted Somnath temple, funded Ghazni capital
- —Prithviraja III: won First Battle of Tarain (1191), lost Second Battle of Tarain (1192)
- —Chola rulers in order: Vijayalaya (founder, Thanjavur) then Rajaraja I (Brihadeshvara Temple) then Rajendra I (Gangaikondacholapuram)
- —Master Chola governance: Ur (peasant assembly), Sabha (Brahmana assembly with lottery), Nadu (group of villages), Nagaram (trader assembly)
- —Memorise all five land categories: Vellanvagai, Brahmadeya, Shalabhoga, Devadana/Tirunamattukkani, Pallichchhandam
- —Understand the significance of prashastis, copper plate land grants, and the Uttaramerur inscriptions
Key Concepts to Remember
Samanta to King
Subordinate chief serves king, gains wealth and army, declares independence, performs rituals (Hiranyagarbha) to claim royal status
Key Battles
Tripartite Struggle (Kanauj), Mahmud of Ghazni (17 raids, Somnath), Tarain I (1191, Prithviraja won), Tarain II (1192, Ghori won)
Chola Empire
Kaveri delta, Vijayalaya (founder), Rajaraja I (Brihadeshvara), Rajendra I (Gangaikondachola), bronze Nataraja, rice cultivation
Local Governance
Ur (peasant), Sabha (Brahmana, lottery system), Nadu (village group), Nagaram (traders); Uttaramerur inscriptions describe sabha rules