[Topic wise IAS Ancient Indian History Question Bank (1979-2015)]: (11) Regional States during Gupta Era

Regional States during Gupta Era: The Kadambas, Pallavas, Chalukyas of Badami; Polity and Administration, Trade guilds, Literature; growth of Vaishnava and Saiva religions. Tamil Bhakti movement, Shankaracharya; Vedanta; Institutions of temple and temple architecture; Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas, Paramaras, Polity and administration; Cultural aspects. Arab conquest of Sind; Alberuni, The Chalukyas of Kalyana, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pandyas; Polity and Administration; local Govern-ment; Growth of art and architecture, religious sects, Institution of temple and Mathas, Agraharas, education and literature, economy and society.
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Polity and administration

1. Discuss critically the main aspects of polity and society under the Pallavas. [1981, 60m]

2. Trace briefly the history of the struggle between the Chalukyas and the Pailavas. Analyze its causes and bring out its importance. [1985, 60m]

3. How far is it true to say that the strength and vigour of Indian history during c. A.D. 500-750 lay in the south of the Vindhyas? [1995, 60m]

4. Give an account of the struggle for supremacy in South India between the Chalukyas of Badami and the Pallavas. [2000, 60m]

5. Did the triangular conflict between the Rashtrakutas, Gujara Pratiharas and Palas create a political vacuum in northern India which facilitated the invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni? [2001, 60m]

6. “The inferior cavalry of the Rajputs was not the only cause of their defeat at the hands of Turko- Afghans and Mughal.” Comment. [2001, 60m]

7. Give an account of the rise of the Chalukyas of Vatapi and their struggle with other rulers. Write a note on their patronage of arts. [2004, 60m]

8.  How could the local self-government under the Cholas adjust with their centralized administration structure? [2015, 10m]

Art and architecture

1. Discuss the contribution of the Pallavas to South Indian art. Was this art wholly indigenous? [1979, 60m]

2. Trace the origin and development of the political authority of the Chalukyas of Badami and discuss their contribution to religion and architecture. [1982, 60m]

3. Who were the Pallavas? Review briefly their contribution to art and administration [1983, 60m]

4. What was the contribution of the Chalukyas of Badami to Indian architecture? [1984, 20m]

5. Write a short essay on: “The contributions of the Pallavas to Indian architecture.” [1986, 20m]

6. Evaluate the importance of the contributions of the Pallavas in the history of the development of art and administration in South India. [1988, 60m]

7. Make a comparative study of the administrative system and development of art under the Pallavas of Kanchi and the Chalukyas of Vatapi. [1990, 60m]

8. In what ways would the period of the Pallavas of the Kanchi and that of the Chalukyas of Badami mark the beginning of a new historical phase in peninsular India? [1991, 60m]

9. Assess the achievements of the Pallavas in administration and art. [1997, 60m]

10. Bring out the regional variations in the early South Indian Temple’s architectural styles. [2009, 60m]

11. Assess Ellora as a unique art centre of the different cultural streams. [2011, 20m]

12.  Analyse  the  vibrant  cultural  activities  in  peninsular  India  during  550-750  CE.  Compare and contrast it with the situation in contemporary North India. [2012, 30m]

13.  Kailasa Temple built at Ellora marks the culmination of rock-cut architecture in India. Elucidate. [2015, 15m]

Arab conquest of Sind

1. Write a short essay on:  “Historical significance of the advent of the Arabs in India” [1995, 20m]