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UPPCS Ancient History Gap Sheet: Sangam, Pallavas, Chalukyas and Cholas.
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First, the concept
Sangam poems describe early Tamil society through landscape, livelihood, love and warfare. Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas belong to that setting; imperial Cholas of the ninth–twelfth centuries are a later phase.
For later southern dynasties, connect capital, ruler, monument and local institutions. Inscriptions about village committees show rules for a particular assembly, not universal voting rights for the entire population.
✅ Already asked (22)
Sangam society and texts
- Three crowned Tamil rulers · Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas formed the principal royal houses.
- Tolkappiyam grammar · Early Tamil grammar with information on poetry and society.
- Muziris western port · Cheran port on the western coast, also called Muchiri.
- Puhar eastern port · Kaveripattinam; a Chola port near the Kaveri's mouth.
- Korkai pearl port · Pandyan port associated with pearl fishing.
- Arikamedu Roman trade · Near Puducherry; amphorae and Roman pottery indicate overseas contacts.
Pallavas and Chalukyas
- Pallava capital Kanchi · Kanchipuram was the main Pallava capital.
- Mahendravarman rock-cut phase · Mahendravarman I promoted early Pallava rock-cut temples.
- Narasimhavarman captures Vatapi · Narasimhavarman I defeated Pulakeshin II and took Vatapi.
- Mamallapuram rathas · Monolithic temples chiefly associated with Narasimhavarman I.
- Shore Temple structural form · Mamallapuram; associated with Narasimhavarman II Rajasimha.
- Early Chalukya capital Vatapi · Present Badami in Karnataka.
- Aihole inscription · Ravikirti's Sanskrit praise of Pulakeshin II, dated 634 CE.
Imperial Cholas to 1200
- Vijayalaya's revival · Founded the later Chola line centred on Thanjavur in the ninth century.
- Rajaraja I's Brihadisvara · Thanjavur temple completed in 1010 CE; dedicated to Shiva.
- Rajendra I's new capital · Founded Gangaikondacholapuram after northern campaigns; built the Cholagangam reservoir.
- Rajendra I's naval expedition · Attacked Srivijaya in 1025 CE.
- Uttaramerur assembly rules · Parantaka I's inscriptions describe committee selection through the kudavolai system.
- Ur and sabha · Ur was a village assembly; sabha was an assembly of Brahmana landholders.
- Nagaram and merchant guilds · Nagaram was a merchant organisation; Nanadesis and Ayyavole were trading guilds.
- Chola Nataraja bronzes · Lost-wax casting produced celebrated images of dancing Shiva.
- Airavatesvara at Darasuram · Built by Rajaraja II in the twelfth century.
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Sangam society and texts: 4
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⚠️ Kanchi is Pallava, Vatapi is Early Chalukya and Gangaikondacholapuram is Rajendra I’s Chola capital. A gopuram is a gateway tower, not the tower over the sanctum.
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