Question

Which occupation flourished most in areas close to water resources during the reign of the Perumals?
A. Fishing
B. Pearl Harvesting
C.Shipping and overseas exploration
D. Agriculture

Answer 1

Hint: The Perumal dynasty was a ruling dynasty in Kerala, in South India.The Perumals ruled the Chera dynasty.

Complete answer: Cheraman Perumal was the last king of the Perumal dynasty.The kings during this dynasty were called ‘Perumal’.He had converted into Islam. He built the first mosque in India. Most of the wealth of the Perumal kingdom came from fishing. Therefore Fishing is an occupation which flourished in most areas close to water resources during the reign of the Perumals. The members of the Perumal were often called members of the Surya Vamsha(Solar Race).Kollam was the major port in which overseas trade was carried out between East and West Asia.The Perumal kingdom maintained friendly and hostile relations with the Cholas and Pandyas. Cheraman Perumal became the first Malabari king to convert into Islam. Chiefdoms under the Perumals were similar to that of the Cholas.Copper plates of the Perumals show that grants were made to Jewish and Christian merchants.The Muslims from West Asia also established themselves as merchants in the kingdom. The merchants' guilds such as manigramam and anjuvannam existed in the Perumal kingdom.

So, the correct answer is option A .

Note: The temple architecture of Kerala-Dravida could be seen in the Perumal dynasty.Several independent kings succeeded Cheraman Perumal. Cheraman was an apple king. He reconstructed 16 ports and temples.The Great Shankaracharya was born during his reign which added glamour to the kingdom and his kingship.