RAS question
The Chera dynasty of the Sangam period had its capital at:
Correct answer: (B) Vanji (Karur).
The Chera dynasty of the Sangam period had its capital at Vanji (Karur).
Explanation
The Cheras are identified in the question explanation with Vanji, usually given here as Vanji (Karur), as their capital. The cited Tamil Virtual University page supports the same core point: it describes the Chera or Kerala territory as covering Travancore, Cochin and Malabar, and states that its capital was originally Vanji, with Tiru-vanjikkalam appearing later. This fits the broader Sangam-period pattern in which the three Tamil kingdoms had distinct political centres: the Pandyas at Madurai later on, and the Cholas at Uraiyur. The explanation also notes the Cheras' control of the Malabar coast, their association with spice trade, and the bow as their emblem.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Kanchipuram is not the Chera capital; the cited page places Kanchi as another chief town of the Chola region.
- (C) Madurai belongs to the Pandya line in the cited account, which says the Pandya capital was later at Madura.
- (D) Uraiyur is identified in the cited page as the Chola capital, not the capital of the Cheras.
Concept
This tests the Sangam-age polity map: matching the Chera, Chola and Pandya dynasties with their capitals and regions. It recurs in RAS because ancient South Indian history often appears through compact factual associations rather than long narrative questions.