Chennai (formerly Madras) has been the capital of Tamil Nadu since the state's formation in 1956.
Q.2Easy
Which Sangam literature text contains stories of Tamil kings and warriors?
Answer: C
Purananuru is a collection of 400 poems in Sangam literature that praise Tamil kings and their martial exploits and generosity.
Q.3Medium
The Great Living Chola Temples are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Which among these is NOT one of them?
Answer: D
The three Great Living Chola Temples are Brihadeeswara (Thanjavur), Airavatesvara (Darasuram), and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Meenakshi Temple is a Pandya temple, not a Chola temple, though it's a UNESCO site separately.
Q.4Medium
Which industry is the largest employer in Tamil Nadu as of 2024?
Answer: B
Textile and apparel manufacturing remains the largest employer in Tamil Nadu, though IT services are growing rapidly. Tamil Nadu produces about 40% of India's textiles.
Q.5Medium
What is the literacy rate of Tamil Nadu according to the 2011 Census?
Answer: B
Tamil Nadu's literacy rate as per 2011 Census was 80.3%, which is higher than the national average of 74.04%.
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Q.6Medium
The Pallava dynasty was known for their contributions to which field?
Answer: B
The Pallava dynasty (3rd-9th century) made significant contributions to Dravidian architecture (Mahabalipuram monuments) and developed the Grantha script which evolved into modern Tamil and other South Indian scripts.
Q.7Easy
Which river is considered the lifeline of Tamil Nadu?
Answer: B
The Kaveri River is the principal river of Tamil Nadu and is crucial for agriculture and irrigation, earning it the title 'Lifeline of Tamil Nadu'.
Q.8Medium
The Bhakti movement in Tamil Nadu was largely influenced by which saint-poet?
Answer: C
Ramanuja (11th century) was a prominent Bhakti saint-philosopher from Tamil Nadu who propagated Vaishnavism and influenced the Bhakti movement in South India.
Q.9Medium
Which is the highest peak in Tamil Nadu?
Answer: A
Dodabetta (2,636 m) in the Nilgiri Mountains is the highest peak in Tamil Nadu, located in the Ooty district.
Q.10Easy
What is the traditional dance form of Tamil Nadu?
Answer: B
Bharatanatyam is the classical dance form of Tamil Nadu, originating from temple traditions and codified by Bharata's Natyashastra principles.
Q.11Hard
Which Pandya king is credited with establishing the Sangam academies?
Answer: B
Mudukudumi Peruvaludi (also known as Mudukudumi) is traditionally credited with establishing the first Sangam (academy) in Madurai during the Pandya period.
Q.12Medium
The Tirunelveli-Tuticorin industrial region specializes in which industries?
Answer: C
The Tirunelveli-Tuticorin region is known for salt production, chemicals, calcium carbide, and halide product manufacturing.
Q.13Medium
Which is the only major seaport in Tamil Nadu besides Chennai?
Answer: A
Tuticorin (also known as Thoothukudi) is a major seaport in Tamil Nadu, besides Chennai Port. It handles significant cargo and is important for salt and chemical exports.
Q.14Medium
The Mahabalipuram shore temples are primarily dedicated to which deity?
Answer: A
The Mahabalipuram Shore Temple, built by Pallava king Narasimhavarman II, is a Shiva temple dating back to the 8th century.
Q.15Hard
Which ancient trade route connected Tamil Nadu to other parts of the world?
Answer: B
Tamil Nadu was a crucial hub for maritime trade routes connecting to Southeast Asia, Rome, and other regions. The spice trade was particularly important, with pepper and other spices being major exports.
Q.16Medium
What is the primary crop of Tamil Nadu by area under cultivation?
Answer: B
Rice is the primary crop of Tamil Nadu by area under cultivation, particularly in the Cauvery delta region, making it a major rice-producing state.
Q.17Hard
The Chola dynasty's administrative system was based on the division of land into which units?
Answer: C
The Chola administrative system divided territories into Valanad (districts), Nadus (subdivisions), and Kottaram (villages), with a sophisticated bureaucratic structure.
Q.18Easy
Which city in Tamil Nadu is known as the 'Manchester of South India' due to its textile industry?
Answer: B
Tiruppur is renowned for its textile and garment manufacturing industries, earning it the nickname 'Manchester of South India'. It exports significant quantities of knitwear globally.
Q.19Easy
The Cauvery River, which is crucial to Tamil Nadu's irrigation, originates from which state?
Answer: B
The Cauvery River originates in the Western Ghats of Karnataka and flows through Tamil Nadu, serving as a major source of irrigation and drinking water.
Q.20Easy
Which historical figure is credited with composing the Thirukkural, a celebrated Tamil literary work?
Answer: B
Thiruvalluvar is the legendary author of Thirukkural, a collection of 1330 couplets offering ethical and moral wisdom in Tamil literature.
