Question map
Which one of the following was a temple built by the Chola Kings?
Explanation
The Brihadiswara Temple in Thanjavur is the most prominent temple built by the Chola dynasty. It was commissioned by the Chola emperor Rajaraja I (AD 985–1012) and completed around 1009–10 AD. Known as the 'Big Temple' or Rajarajesvaram, it is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site [3]. In contrast, the Durga Temple at Aihole was built by the Chalukyas [1]. The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is primarily associated with the Pandya and Nayaka dynasties, while the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, though patronized by many, is a major Vaishnavite center with significant contributions from the Pandyas, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagara rulers. The Chola royal temples, including those at Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Chozhapuram, served as hubs for social, economic, and cultural activities [3].
Sources
- [2] https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/brihadeeswara-temple
- [3] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Chalukya Architecture > p. 120
- [1] https://asi.nic.in/pages/WorldHeritageCholaTemples