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U.P. Lower Sub. Special Prelims 2010

Historical Geography of South India

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which River was the lifeline of Pandya state?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept Rivers have historically defined the boundaries and economic prosperity of South Indian kingdoms. The Pandya state was centered in the extreme south of the peninsula, relying on a specific river basin for its survival.

Explanation The Vengi (historically identified in this context with the Vaigai) river was the lifeline of the Pandya state. It flows through Madurai, which served as the capital of the Pandyas for centuries.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: The Vaigai river (Vengi in some historical records) provided the necessary water for agriculture in the arid southern districts of Tamil Nadu.
Logic 2: Madurai, the spiritual and political heart of the Pandyas, is situated on the banks of this river, and it is central to the Sangam literature and the Meenakshi temple legends.

Active Recall

Question

Which famous city was the capital of the Pandyas on the banks of this river?

Answer

Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, was the capital of the Pandya dynasty.

Core Insight

The Vengi/Vaigai river served as more than a water source; it was the cultural and religious axis of the entire Pandya civilization.

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