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Question 64 of 93 · Early Medieval India & South Indian Kingdoms
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An inscription related to music and musical instruments was created by the Pallava king Mahendravarman I (7th century) at:

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Answer: Option A — Kudumiyamalai

Detailed Solution

The famous music inscription of Kudumiyamalai, in the Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu, is attributed to the Pallava king Mahendravarman I (7th century CE).

About the Kudumiyamalai inscription:

  • It is carved on a rock near the Sikhanathaswamy temple at Kudumiyamalai.
  • It is one of the oldest known inscriptions on music in India.
  • It describes musical notes (swaras) and compositions, arranged according to seven ragas (or "jatis").
  • It was meant for the "parivadini", a seven-stringed instrument (a type of veena).
  • It is written in the Pallava Grantha script, in Sanskrit.
  • It shows the advanced knowledge of music in south India in the 7th century.
  • It is regarded as an important source for the history of Indian classical music.

About Mahendravarman I:

  • He ruled from about 600 to 630 CE.
  • He was a versatile king: a poet, musician, painter and builder.
  • He took titles such as "Vichitrachitta" (curious-minded), "Chitrakarapuli" (tiger among painters) and "Mattavilasa".
  • He wrote the Sanskrit satirical play "Mattavilasa Prahasana" ("The Farce of Drunken Sport"), which makes fun of Buddhist monks and Kapalika ascetics.
  • He introduced rock-cut cave temples in the Tamil region, at places such as Mandagapattu, Mahendravadi and Pallavaram.
  • The Mandagapattu inscription says that he built a temple without using bricks, timber, metal or mortar.
  • He was defeated by the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II at the Battle of Pullalur.

Other important inscriptions of Tamil Nadu:

  • Uttaramerur inscriptions: on village assemblies (Chola period).
  • Tiruvalangadu copper plates: of the Chola king Rajendra I.
  • Thanjavur temple inscriptions: of Rajaraja I.

Music in ancient India:

  • The "Natyashastra" of Bharata Muni discusses music, dance and drama.
  • The "Sangita Ratnakara" of Sarngadeva (13th century) is an important work on music.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗Mamallapuram has Pallava monuments.
  • ✗Uttaramerur has inscriptions on village assemblies.
  • ✗Tiruvalangadu is known for Chola copper plates.

Quick tip

Remember: Kudumiyamalai = music inscription of Mahendravarman I (Pudukkottai; ragas for the parivadini); Mahendravarman I = Mattavilasa Prahasana, rock-cut temples.

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Early Medieval India & South Indian Kingdoms — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Early Medieval India & South Indian Kingdoms, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers India from about the 7th to the 12th century: the Rajput dynasties, the tripartite struggle between the Palas, Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas, and the South Indian kingdoms of the Chalukyas, Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas, along with the Sangam age and the temple architecture of the period. Questions often ask which dynasty built a temple (the Pallavas built the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, and Rajaraja Chola I built the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur), the capitals of dynasties, and the local self-government of the Cholas. Learning each dynasty with its capital, greatest ruler and one monument is the quickest way to answer these questions. Practise the early medieval India questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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