Question

Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the hero stones in Tamil Nadu?

• A. They were erected between 1000 BCE and 1600 CE.
• B. The ancient Tamil society considered cattle as a precious asset.
• C. The ancient Tamil society valued heroism.
• D. Cattle raids were the only heroic deeds.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

The correct options are
A They were erected between 1000 BCE and 1600 CE.
B The ancient Tamil society considered cattle as a precious asset.
C The ancient Tamil society valued heroism.

Hero stones were erected in sometime between 1000 BCE and 1600 CE. The documentation of events like ‘cattle raids’ on these stones tell us two important things about the ancient Tamil society. First, that they considered cattle to be a precious asset for them. It was so important that they went into battle to protect them. Second, that they celebrated the ideas of heroes and heroism. These stones were erected in the memory of the men who were killed in cattle raids or when they were attacked by a tiger or an elephant.