A
capital cities
B
ports
C
centres of iron-and- steel making
D
shrines of Jain tirthankaras
Correct answer: (b) ports
Explanation
- A
capital cities
Capital cities. Madurai, Vanji, Uraiyur were the usual Sangam capitals.
- B
ports
Ports. Korkai, Puhar (Poompuhar / Kaveripattinam) and Muziris (Muchiri) were the famous Tamil ports.
- C
centres of iron-and- steel making
Iron-and-steel centres. Not the identity of this trio.
- D
shrines of Jain tirthankaras
Jain tirthankara shrines. Unrelated.
Summary. Official key is (b) ports. Korkai (Pandya pearl port), Poompuhar / Puhar (Chola Kaveri mouth) and Muchiri / Muziris (Chera, Kerala) are the Sangam-era port trio.
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.