Tamil Nadu GK: 20 Questions Every Tamilian Should Know (With Answers)
Tamil Nadu has a long history, a rich language and a lot of famous "firsts". How many of these do you know? Here are 20 general knowledge questions that every Tamilian (and every Tamil Nadu fan) should be able to answer. Try to answer each one before you read the answer below it.
When you are done, take the full Tamil Nadu GK quiz and see how many you get right against the clock.
State and symbols
1. What is the capital of Tamil Nadu?
Answer: Chennai. Once known as Madras, Chennai sits on the Bay of Bengal and is home to Marina Beach and the Tamil film industry.
2. What is the state animal of Tamil Nadu?
Answer: The Nilgiri tahr. A sure-footed mountain goat that lives on the high, grassy slopes of the Western Ghats.
3. What is the state tree of Tamil Nadu?
Answer: The palmyra palm (panai maram). Almost every part of this tall palm is useful, from its fruit (nungu) to its leaves, which were once used to write manuscripts.
4. What is the state flower of Tamil Nadu?
Answer: The gloriosa lily, known in Tamil as senganthal. Its bright red and yellow petals look like little flames.
Language and literature
5. Who wrote the Thirukkural, and how many kurals does it have?
Answer: Thiruvalluvar wrote the Thirukkural, and it has 1330 kurals. Each kural is a two-line couplet, and the work covers virtue, wealth and love.
6. In which year was Tamil declared a classical language by the Government of India?
Answer: 2004. Tamil was the first language to receive this status.
7. How many letters are there in the Tamil alphabet?
Answer: 247. This includes the vowels, consonants, the combined vowel-consonant letters and the special letter aytham (ஃ).
8. Which poet is popularly called "Mahakavi"?
Answer: Subramania Bharati. His patriotic songs and poems are still sung in schools and on stage.
Temples and landmarks
9. In which city is the Meenakshi Amman Temple?
Answer: Madurai. Its towering, colourful gopurams are one of the most recognised sights in South India.
10. Who built the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur?
Answer: Rajaraja Chola I. Also called the Big Temple, it is a masterpiece of Chola architecture.
11. Which dynasty built the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram?
Answer: The Pallavas. The temple stands right beside the sea, near Chennai.
12. Where is the Vivekananda Rock Memorial?
Answer: Kanyakumari. It stands on a rock in the sea, a short boat ride from the shore.
Places and geography
13. Which place is the southern tip of mainland India?
Answer: Kanyakumari. Visitors come to watch the sunrise and sunset over the sea.
14. Which hill station is called the "Queen of Hill Stations"?
Answer: Ooty (Udhagamandalam) in the Nilgiris, famous for its tea gardens, toy train and cool weather.
15. Kodaikanal is in which district?
Answer: Dindigul. "Kodai" is loved for its lake, misty hills and homemade chocolates.
16. Mettur Dam is built across which river?
Answer: The Kaveri (Cauvery). The Kaveri is often described as the lifeline of the delta districts.
17. Which city is known as the "Manchester of South India"?
Answer: Coimbatore, because of its many textile mills.
18. Which district is known as the "rice bowl of Tamil Nadu"?
Answer: Thanjavur, thanks to the fertile Kaveri delta. And a bonus: Sivakasi is the town famous across India for fireworks and printing.
People, music and sport
19. Which former President of India was born in Rameswaram?
Answer: Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, fondly remembered as the "Missile Man of India" and the "People's President".
20. Who was India's first chess grandmaster?
Answer: Viswanathan Anand, from Chennai. He inspired a whole generation of young Indian chess players.
Bonus round
Still hungry for more? Try these quick bonus questions:
- Which music director is called "Isaignani"? Ilaiyaraaja.
- Which composer is nicknamed the "Mozart of Madras"? A. R. Rahman.
- What is the official name of the Chepauk stadium in Chennai? The M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.
How did you do?
- 18–20 correct: You are a walking Tamil Nadu encyclopaedia. Time to challenge your friends.
- 12–17 correct: Very good! A little revision and you will be at the top.
- Below 12: No problem at all. Now you know 20 new facts to share at the next family gathering.
Keep the quiz going
Quizzes are much more fun with company. Read the questions aloud at dinner, or turn them into a family contest. You can also try our timed quizzes by category:
- Tamil Nadu GK quiz – places, symbols, history and culture
- Famous people quiz – leaders, poets and achievers
- Kollywood quiz – actors, songs and music directors
- Sports quiz – cricket, chess and more
Prefer a game? TN Quiz gives you 10 questions with 15 seconds each – get 7 or more right to win. In the TNChatZone app you can also earn coins for playing (just for fun, with no cash value) and chat about the answers with other quiz lovers.
Know a great Tamil Nadu fact we missed? Keep it ready – the next quiz might need it!