Examine the geopolitical organization of the ancient Chera kingdom during the classical Sangam epoch: 1. The capital of the early Chera rulers alternated between Karur in the interior Kongu region and Vanji situated near the mouth of the Periyar river. 2. The royal insignia of the Chera monarchs embossed on their coins and seals was the tiger, symbolizing aggressive military expansion across the peninsula.

💡 Solution & Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as historical geography places early Chera political authority spanning across Karur inland and Vanji near Muziris on the western seaboard. Statement 2 is incorrect because the royal emblem of the Chera dynasty was the bow and arrow, whereas the tiger was the emblem of the Cholas and the fish belonged to the Pandyas. Misidentifying dynastic crests is a common distractor in regional civil service examinations.