SOCIAL SCIENCE

CLASS-6

CHAPTER-2

IMPORTANT DNASTIES OF SOUTH INDIA

I. Fill in the blanks:

1. Agraharas were established for providing education during the period of

Shatavahanas.
2. The administrative language of Shatavahanas was Prakrit language.
3. The societies formed by traders and skilled labourers were called Shreni.
4. Goutamiputra Shatakarni inscribed his name on the coins of Shaka’s Nahapana.

II.Answer in a single sentence:

1. Who was the greatest king of Shatavahanas?

A. Goutamiputra Shatakarni.
2. What was the title given to Goutamiputra Shatakarni?
A. ‘Trisamudratoya Peethavahana’.
3. What is a ‘Chaitya’?
A. ‘Chaitya is a prayer hall of Buddhists.
4. Name the book written by Hala?
A. ‘Gatha Shaptasati’
5. Name the important Nigamas/towns of Shatavahanas?
A. Pithan, Karle, Kanheri, Junnar and Nasik of Maharashtra, Dhanyaketa of Andhrapradesh
and Vyjayanthi of Uttara Kannada district.
6. What is a ‘Shreni’?
A. The professionals and traders in the towns had socities named ‘Shreni’ to protect their
interests.

III. Discuss in group and answer the following:

1. Discuss about the trade and towns of the Shatavahana period?

A. The period of Shatavahanas enjoyed economic prosperity. The main reasons for this are
the trade that took place within the country and outside the country. Many towns of the
Empire were the centers of trade. The towns were called as “Nigamas: Paithan, Karle,
Kanheri, Junnar and Nasik of Maharashtra.
2. The factors responsible for the economic progress of Shatavahanas?
A. Dhanyaketa of Andhra pradesh and Vyjayanthi of Uttara Kannada district were the main
centres of trade.
The towns have societies named ‘Shreni’. They were the groups formed by
professionals and traders to protect their interests. For example the ‘Dhanik Shreni’ was
society of grocery merchants. Similarly, smiths, potters and others had their own
societies. Each Shreni had a senior who was called as ‘Shresti’. The Shrestis were
usually rich. One such Shresti had built a Chaitanya at Karle. Bullock carts, horses and
donkeys were used for inland cargo movement.
The foreign trade was through the ports on the West and East coasts of the Empire.
There were trade links with Rome during Shatavahana period.

KADAMBAS:

I. Fill in the blanks with suitable words:

1. The first dynasty of Kannada is Kadamba.

2. Kakusthavarma had martial relationship with the Gupta dynasty of North India.

II. Answer the following in a sentence each:

1. Who was the founder of Kadamba dynasty?

A. Mayuravarma.
2. Which was the capital of Kadambas?
A. Banavasi.
3. Which is the first Kannada inscription?
A. Halmidi Inscription.
4. Name the Educational centres of Kadambas?
A. Talagunda and Kanchi.

GANGAS:

I. Fill in the blanks with suitable words:

1. Durvineeta’s mother Jeshtadevi belonged to Punnata dynasty.

2. Shreepurusha wrote ‘Gajashastra’.

II. Answer the following in one sentence each:

1. Name the capital of Gangas?
A. Kolar (Kuvalalapura) and Talakadu (Talavanapura).
2. In which languages was Durvineeta considered a scholar?
A. Sanskrit and Kannada languages.
3. Who built the lake at the Kunigal?
A. Durvineeta.
4. Where is the statue of Gommateshwara? Who built it?
A. The statue of Gommateshwara is in Shravanabelagola in Hassan district. It was built
by Chavundaraya a minister in Rachamalla’s court.

CHALUKYAS OF BADAMI:

I. Answer the following in a sentence each:

1. Which was the capital of Chalukyas In which district is it now?

A. Badami (Vatapi) of agalkot district.
2. Name the king from North India who was defeated by Pulikeshi?
A. Harshavardhana.
3. Which are the famous centres of Chalukyan architecture?
A. Badami, Pattadakallu and Aihole.
4. Which place is called as ‘The Cradle of Temple Architecture’?
A. Aihole.

II. Discuss in group and answer the question:

1. Describe the military achievements of Immadi Pulikeshi ?

A. Immadi Pulikeshi is the bravest king among Chalukyas. Though he was the heir of his
father’s kingdom, he had to fight with his uncle Mangalesh to get it. He started a
conquest to expand his kingdom. Kadambas and Gangas surrendered to Pulikeshi.
Rashtrakutas who were his feudal rebelled against him but he defeated them. Then he
defeated Lata, Malwa and Gujjas at the North and proceeded towards Gujarat. In East
kings from Vengi, Kalinga and Kosala surrendered to him.
He defeated the Pallavas of Kanchi in the south. Crossing the Cauvery River, he made
contracts with Cholas, Keralas and Pandyas. His famous war with the Harshavardhana,
who was prominent king in northern India, has historical importance. This war took place
on the banks of river Narmada. In this severe war, Pulikeshi defeated Harshavardhana.
Because of this he received the titles ‘Parameshwara’ and ‘Dakshinapatheshwara’. Like
this he had conquered many kingdoms in all four directions and expanded his kingdom.
His kingdom spread from Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal his fame had spread beyond
India. He had sent a commission to the Persian king Khusru. In response to this Khusru
had sent an ambassador to the court of Pulikeshi. The painting at the first cave of Ajantha
is said to be of Pulikeshi welcoming the Ambassador of Khusru.
 III. Match the words in column ‘A’ with the related words in column ‘B’.

A B
1. Aihole a. World 2
Heritage Site
2. Pattadakallu b. Royal emblem 3
of Chalukyas
3. Varaha c. Cradle of 1
Temple
Architecture

PALLAVAS:

I. Answer the following in one sentence each:

1. Which was the capital of Pallavas?

A. Kanchi in Tamilnadu.
2. Who was the famous king of Pallavas of Kanchi?
A. The famous king of Pallavas was Narasimhavarma gained the titles ‘Mahamalla’ and
‘Vatapikonda’.
3. Where are the stone chariots of Pallava period?
A. Mahabalipuram.
4. Which are the famous temples of Pallava period?
A. Mahabalipuram Shiva temple, Kailasanatha temple and Vaikunta perumal temple at
Kanchi.

CHOLAS:

I. Fill in the blanks with suitable words

1. The capital of Cholas was Tanjavore.

2. Raja Rajachola built Bruhadeshwara temple.

II. Answer the following questions:

1. Which are the famous literary works of Chola?

A. The Devotional Literature, ‘Periya Puranam’ and ‘Kamban Ramayana’ written by
Kamban.
 2. What was the speciality of the rural administration of Cholas?
A. Rural administration of Cholas was ideal. Administration was done by the respective
Gramasabhas. The members of Gramasabha have been elected. Committes of a few
members were formed and definite functions were assigned to them. These
committees had to give account of their expenditures. The ineligible members were
kept out of Gramasabha. The rural administration of Cholas was similar to the present
panchayat system.
3. What are the contributions of Cholas to Indian sculpture?
A. The statue of Nataraja and Kalinga Mardananruthya made in Bronze.
4. Why Bruhadeshwara temple is so famous?
A. Bruhadeshwara temple of Tanjavore is a world famous Chola architectural display. It
was built a thousand years ago. The tower of the Sanctrum Santorum of this temple is
200 feet high. This is the biggest and highest temple in India. It has been accorded the
status of World Heritage Site.

III. Discuss in a group and answer the questions:

1. What are the achievements of Rajaraja Chola?

A. He was brave and efficient administrator. His empire included all those areas towards
the south of river Tungabhadra, Srilanka and Maldives islands. He had a powerful
land army and navy. Bruhadeshwara temple is the contribution of Rajaraja.
2. Write a short note on Rajendra Chola?
A. He was the son of Rajaraja Chola.His conquest of north India was his prominent
achievement. In memory of this conquest he assumed title ‘Gangaikonda
Cholapuram’ and built a very big temple of Shiva. For the purpose of irrigation to the
capital, he built a tank called ‘Cholagangam’. He also won the Shreevijaya kingdom
of Sumatra (Asia) and this was another of his famous achievement.

RASHTRAKUTAS:

I. Fill in the blanks with suitable words:

1. First available book in Kannada is Kaviraja Marga.
2. Aadhikavi of Kannada is Pampa.
3. Kailasa temple of Ellora is built in single stone.

II. Answer the following in a sentence each:

1. Name the famous poets of Rashtrakutas period?

A. Srivijaya, Pampa, Ponna.
2. Which were the important centres of Rashtrakuta architecture?
A. Ellora, Elephanta.
 3. Name the works of Pampa?
A. Adipurana and Vikramarjuna Vijaya.
4. Make a list of the famous kings of Rashtrakuta dynasty?
A. Dhruva, Govinda III, Amogavarsha Nrupatunga, Krishna III.
5. What has Sulaiman written about Rastrakutas?
A. Sulaiman, the traveller from Arabia has described that Rastrakuta Empire was one of
the four largest empires of the world (The other three are Roman, Chinese and
Arab).

III. Discuss in group and answer:

1. Write a short note on Amoghavarsha?

A. Nrupatunga is the son of Govinda III. He was corronated when he was only14
years old. He ruled for more than sixty years. He himself was a great scholar and he
had Shrivijaya, another scholar in his court.
Nrupatunga was much interested in the welfare of his subjects. He built Manyaketa
city (present Malakheda of Kalaburagi district) and this became the capital of
Rastrakutas. A traveller from Arabia, Sulaiman has described that Rashtrakuta
Empire was one of the four large empires of the world. (The remaining are Roman,
Arab and Chinese empires).

2. Describe the military achievements of Krishna III.

A. During the reign of Krishna III the Rashtrakuta empire attained a very important
position in Indian politics. Krishna defeated the Cholas and stretched his empire till
Rameshwara. There he built pillar of success and a temple. He defeated Pandyas
and Cheras. He collected ransom fnamerom the king of Simhala. He did his
conquest even in north India. A famous poet called Ponna was given shelter by
Krishna III Rashtrakuta empire started declining.

CHALUKYAS OF KALYANA

I. Fill in the blanks with suitable word:

1. The king who started Chalukya Vikramashake is Vikramadithya VI.
2. The king who had the title Kavi Chakravarty is Ranna.
3. The author of Mithakshara Samhite is Vigneshwara.

II. Answer the following in a sentence each:

1. Who was the famous king of Kalyana Chalukyas?

A. Vikramadithya VI and Someshwara III.
2. Name the famous scholars who were in the court of Vikramadithya VI?
A. Panditha Bilhana and Vigneshwara.
 3. Name the famous work of Mummadi Someshwara. What it its speacility?
A. The famous work of Mummadi Someshwara is Sanskrit encyclopedia called
‘Manasollasa’. It deals with the aspects of life.
4. Name the Ratnathrayas of Kannada literature?
A. Pampa, Ponna, and Ranna.
5. Which temple is called the emperor of temples? Where is it?
A. Mahadeva temple in Itagi of Koppala district.

HOYSALAS:

I. Answer the following questions:

1. Name the capitals of Hoysalas?

A. Beluru and Dwarasamudra (Halebidu).
2. Name the kings of Hoysala dynasty?
A. Vishnuvardhana and Ballala-III.
3. Who was the queen of Vishnuvardhana? What was the title given to her?
A. Vishnuvardhana’s queen was Shantala devi. She was given the title ‘Natya
Saraswathi’.
4. Which Hoysala king was ruling when Sultans of Delhi attacked?
A. Ballala-III.
5. Name the famous poets of Hoysala period?
A. Janna, Harihara and Raghavanka are the famous poets of Hoysala period?
6. Which are the famous temples of Hoysalas?
A. Hoysaleshwara temple at Halebidu, Channakeshva temple at Belur, Keshava
temple at Somanathapura.
7. Name the sculptors who built Channakeshava temple of Belur?
A. Dasoja of Balligaare and Nadthe aoja of Gadag.
II. Discuss in group and answer the question:

1. Write short note on Ballala-III?

A. He was the last famous king of Hoysala dynasty. He ruled for fifty years. During
his time, Sultans of Delhi attacked southern states. Very often. They destroyed the
temples and looted the wealth. Because of their attacks many famous dynasties of
South India including Hoysalas disappeared. Ballala-III had to face this disaster
alone. The sultan of Madurai who was the representative of Delhi Sultans increased
his cruelty. Ballala was old but still continued to fight with Sultans. He was killed
by Sultans after him his son Ballala-IV to power but died very soon. Thus Hoysala
dynasty ended 670 years ago.
 2. What are the common features of Hoysala temples?
A. The contribution of Hoysalas to architecture and sculpture is incomparable.
Hoysala temples are famous for fine carvings. The common features of these
temples are:
• They built on a star shaped basement.
• The Navrang pillars inside the temple are very smooth.
• On the outside wall of the temple episodes of mythology are depicted.

The famous temples of Hoysala are Hoysaleshwara of Halebidu,

Channakeshava of Belur, Keshava of Somanathapura are important.

III. Match the following words in column ‘A’ with the related words in column
‘B’:

A B

1. Sala a. Halebidu (5)

2. Shantale b. Kabbigara Kaavam (4)
3. Belur c. Founder of Hoysala dynasty (1)
4. Andaiah d. Natyasaraswati (2)
5. Dwarasamudra e. Channakeshava temple (3)

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