Tamil Nadu's contribution to India's GDP (as of 2024) ranks it at which position among Indian states?
Answer: B
Tamil Nadu is the third-largest contributor to India's GDP after Maharashtra and Gujarat, with a significant manufacturing and service sector base.
Q.22Medium
Which ancient Sangam age text is considered the earliest Tamil literary work?
Answer: D
Tolkappiyam, authored by Tolkappiyar, is the oldest extant Tamil grammar text and literary work, dating back to around 300 BCE.
Q.23Medium
Who was the founder of the Self-Respect Movement (Ayyavazhi) in Tamil Nadu?
Answer: C
Ayya Vaikundar (1809-1834) founded the Ayyavazhi movement, advocating for social equality and challenging caste hierarchies in Tamil Nadu.
Q.24Medium
Which Tamil Nadu district has the highest mineral resources and is known as the 'Mineral Hub'?
Answer: D
Salem district is rich in mineral resources including magnetite, limestone, and feldspar, making it an important mineral-producing region.
Q.25Medium
The Tamirabarani River, the only perennial river in Tamil Nadu, originates from which mountain range?
Answer: A
The Tamirabarani River originates from the Western Ghats and flows through Tirunelveli district, being the only river in Tamil Nadu that flows year-round.
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Q.26Medium
Which classical art form of Tamil Nadu is performed with wooden dolls and is listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO?
Answer: B
Bommalattam (Tamil puppet theatre) uses wooden dolls and is a unique art form, recently gaining UNESCO recognition for intangible cultural heritage.
Q.27Easy
The Kaveri River delta in Tamil Nadu is known for producing which crop extensively?
Answer: C
The Kaveri delta is historically known as the 'Granary of South India' due to extensive rice cultivation facilitated by the river's irrigation system.
Q.28Hard
Which Tamil Nadu industrialist founded the Madras Rubber Factory, a pioneering industry in 1950s?
Answer: B
M.A. Chidambaram established significant rubber manufacturing industries in Tamil Nadu, contributing to the state's industrial development.
Q.29Medium
The Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu is celebrated based on which astronomical event?
Answer: B
Pongal is celebrated on the day of winter solstice (around January 14) when the sun moves to the northern hemisphere, marking the new harvest season.
Q.30Hard
Which ancient port city in Tamil Nadu served as a major center for Indo-Roman trade during Sangam age?
Answer: B
Arikamedu, excavated site near Puducherry, was a thriving port and trading center with extensive evidence of Indo-Roman commercial relations.
Q.31Easy
The Mahabalipuram Shore Temple is an example of which dynasty's architectural style?
Answer: B
The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram is a Pallava architectural masterpiece, built during the reign of Narasimhavarman II in the 8th century.
Q.32Medium
Which Tamil Nadu state comes second in textile production in India?
Answer: D
Tamil Nadu as a whole ranks second in textile production in India after Gujarat, with major clusters in Tiruppur, Erode, and Coimbatore.
Q.33Medium
The Silappatikaram epic describes the life of which female protagonist?
Answer: A
Silappatikaram, written by Ilango Adigal, narrates the story of Kannagi and her husband Kovalan, one of the five great epics of Tamil literature.
Q.34Hard
Which temple in Tamil Nadu is believed to have the tallest gopuram (tower) in South India?
Answer: C
The Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam has the tallest gopuram in South India, standing at approximately 240 feet.
Q.35Hard
The Kallallar community in Tamil Nadu traditionally practiced which occupation?
Answer: B
The Kallalar (also Chettiar) community was traditionally involved in oil extraction and trade, forming important merchant networks in Tamil Nadu.
Q.36Medium
Which renewable energy source contributes the highest percentage to Tamil Nadu's electricity generation (as of 2024)?
Answer: B
Tamil Nadu leads India in wind power generation, with wind energy being the primary renewable source contributing significantly to the state's electricity.
Q.37Hard
The Arupadai Veedu (six shrines) of Murugan in Tamil Nadu includes all except which location?
Answer: C
The six abodes of Murugan are Palani, Swamimalai, Tiruchendur, Pazhamudircholai, Tirupparamkundram, and Kalakasteshwara; Tirupati is a Vishnu shrine.
Q.38Easy
Which Tamil Nadu chief minister is known for implementing the Midday Meal Scheme on a large scale in the 1960s?
Answer: A
K. Kamaraj, Chief Minister from 1954-1962, pioneered the Midday Meal Scheme in Tamil Nadu schools.
Q.39Medium
The Sangam literature period in Tamil Nadu is divided into three eras. What is the time period of the Later Sangam age?
Answer: B
The Later Sangam period is generally dated from 100 BCE to 250 CE, during which most of the extant Tamil literature was composed.
Q.40Medium
Which ancient Tamil kingdom is credited with the first maritime trade with the Roman Empire?
Answer: B
The Pandya Kingdom maintained extensive maritime trade contacts with the Roman Empire, as evidenced by archaeological findings and ancient texts.
