Which river is praised in the fifth century Tamil epic, Silappadikaram?
Cauvery
Identifying the River Praised in Silappadikaram
The question asks about the specific river that receives significant praise within the ancient Tamil epic, Silappadikaram. Silappadikaram is a cornerstone of Tamil literature, considered one of the Five Great Tamil Epics.
The epic tells the tragic story of Kannagi and Kovalan. A major part of the narrative is set in and around the Poompuhar region and later moves towards Madurai and Chera country. The setting of the Chola kingdom, particularly the fertile plains it encompassed, was deeply tied to the bounty provided by a particular river.
Throughout the Silappadikaram, the Cauvery river (also known as Kaveri) is frequently mentioned and lauded. The epic highlights the prosperity and life sustained by the Cauvery river in the Chola kingdom. It is depicted as a source of wealth, fertility, and beauty, essential to the lives and culture of the people described in the epic.
Let's consider the given options:
- Cauvery: As discussed, the Cauvery river is central to the geography and cultural context depicted in Silappadikaram and is praised for its life-giving properties.
- Godavari: The Godavari is a major river in Central and Southern India but is not the primary river associated with the setting and narrative of Silappadikaram, which is set mainly in the Tamil kingdoms.
- Saraswati: The Saraswati is a legendary river, primarily associated with North Indian Vedic literature, not the Tamil epic Silappadikaram.
- Ganges: The Ganges (Ganga) is the most sacred river in Hinduism, located in North India. While significant in Indian culture, it is not the river specifically praised in the Tamil epic Silappadikaram.
Based on the content and setting of the Silappadikaram epic, the river prominently praised is the Cauvery.
| Epic | River Praised/Associated |
|---|---|
| Silappadikaram | Cauvery (Kaveri) |
Revision Table: Key Epic & River
Understanding the geographical context of ancient epics helps identify such details. For Silappadikaram, the association with the fertile lands watered by the Cauvery river is crucial.
Additional Information: Rivers in Indian Epics and Literature
Rivers often play vital roles in Indian literature, symbolising life, purity, sustenance, and culture. Different epics and texts are associated with different rivers based on their geographical settings and cultural significance:
- The Ganges is central to many North Indian texts, including epics and Puranas.
- The Indus and its tributaries are significant in Vedic literature.
- Southern Indian literature, including Tamil epics like Silappadikaram, often features rivers like the Cauvery, Vaigai (associated with Madurai), and Porunai (Thamirabarani).
The praise of the Cauvery river in Silappadikaram reflects its immense importance to the economy and life of the ancient Tamil kingdoms it flowed through.
Similar Questions
Consider the following statements about science in medieval South India:
1. The Katapayadi system of numerals, which was invented by Vararuchi of Kerala, the author of Chandra Vakyas, was used for calculating the position of Moon on any day of the year.
2. Achyuta Pisharati (1550 1621) wrote Uparagakriyakrama, a text on eclipses.
3. Ravi Varma of Mahodayapuram set up an observatory and is also said to have inaugurated the Kollam era.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?The idea of ‘Farr-i Izadi’, on which the Mughal kingship was based, was first developed by which one of the following Sufi saints?
Iqta in medieval India meant:
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The Bakshali Manuscript written in the Gatha language (a refined version of old Prakrit) using the Sharada script deals with topics such as fractions, square roots, arithmetic and geometric progressions.
2. In the field of geometry, Aryabhatta described the various properties of a circle giving a very accurate value for pi (π) correct to four decimal places at 3.1416.
3. Sharangadhara Samhita is an important text on political system of ancient India.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Which one of the following was primarily associated with ‘Dadni’ system?
In medieval India, the process of indigo extraction underwent great improvement as a result of:
Consider the following statements about Rana Kumbha of Mewar:
1. He wrote a commentary on Jayadeva's Gitagovinda.
2. He wrote four dramas in which he is said to have made use of four provincial languages.
3. He erected Kirtistambha in Chitor in commemoration of his victory over Gujarat.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
What was a munjaniq in medieval period?
What were Manigramam and Nanadesi in early medieval India?
Consider the following statements about cavalry warfare in India :
1. The iron stirrup made it possible for the armoured warrior to sit firmly on horse without falling off.
2. The iron stirrup also allowed a cavalry charge with lances held tightly to the body, without the rider being thrown off by the shock of impact.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Important Questions from Medieval History
Which Delhi Sultan is credited with systematically institutionalizing the 'Iqta' system, an administrative and land revenue assignment that significantly structured the governance of the nascent Sultanate by assigning territories to nobles and military commanders in lieu of cash salaries?
Regarding Indian history, which of the following is/are correct?
1. Arcot Nizamat emerged from Hyderabad state.
2. The Kingdom of Mysore emerged from the Vijayanagara Empire.
3. The kingdom of Rohilkhand was formed from the territories conquered by Ahmad Shah Durrani
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally
What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)?
(1) To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States
(2) To place the Indian administration under the British Crown
(3) To regulate East India Company’s trade with India
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
What was the immediate reason for Ahmad Shah Abdali to invade India and fight the Third Battle of Panipat?
