- Which Chola king built the famous Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur?
A) Rajendra Chola
B) Rajaraja Chola I
C) Karikala Chola
D) Kulottunga Chola - What is a significant architectural feature of the Brihadeshwara Temple?
A) A floating dome
B) A massive vimana (tower) that is 66 meters tall
C) A wooden structure instead of stone
D) A single-story flat roof - Which material was used for the famous bronze sculptures of the Chola period?
A) Iron
B) Bronze
C) Marble
D) Gold - The most famous bronze sculptures from the Chola period depict which deity?
A) Lord Vishnu
B) Lord Shiva as Nataraja (the cosmic dancer)
C) Goddess Lakshmi
D) Lord Ganesha - Which technique was used to make Chola bronze sculptures?
A) Carving on stone
B) Lost-wax casting method
C) Welding of metal plates
D) Molding from clay - Apart from religious purposes, what was another function of Chola temples?
A) They served as administrative and economic centers
B) They were only used for storing weapons
C) They functioned as marketplaces for trade
D) They were secret underground bunkers - Which of the following best describes Chola temple architecture?
A) Small, plain structures with minimal decoration
B) Large stone temples with towering vimanas and intricate carvings
C) Temporary wooden temples used for rituals
D) Caves converted into temples - What was the significance of the bronze sculptures created during the Chola period?
A) They were used only as decorative pieces in palaces
B) They were important for religious worship and temple rituals
C) They were mass-produced for trade with China
D) They were used as currency in the Chola Empire - Which of the following was a unique characteristic of Chola temple sculptures?
A) They were made entirely of ivory
B) They were created using only a single tool
C) They were highly detailed and expressive, showcasing movement and grace
D) They were painted in bright colors instead of being carved - Why were temples an important part of Chola society?
A) They were places of religious worship, economic activity, and education
B) They were used as prisons for criminals
C) They were strictly reserved for the royal family
D) They had no social or political importance
Answers and Explanations
- B) Rajaraja Chola I
Rajaraja Chola I commissioned the construction of the Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur around 1010 CE. - B) A massive vimana (tower) that is 66 meters tall
The Brihadeshwara Temple features an enormous vimana, which remains one of the tallest temple towers in India. - B) Bronze
Chola artists were skilled in making bronze sculptures, particularly for temple deities. - B) Lord Shiva as Nataraja (the cosmic dancer)
One of the most famous Chola bronze sculptures depicts Shiva in the form of Nataraja, performing the cosmic dance. - B) Lost-wax casting method
The lost-wax technique was used to create detailed and finely crafted bronze sculptures. - A) They served as administrative and economic centers
Chola temples were not just places of worship but also played a role in governance, economy, and culture. - B) Large stone temples with towering vimanas and intricate carvings
Chola temples are known for their grandeur, elaborate carvings, and towering vimanas. - B) They were important for religious worship and temple rituals
Chola bronze sculptures were primarily used in religious ceremonies, processions, and temple rituals. - C) They were highly detailed and expressive, showcasing movement and grace
Chola sculptures are known for their realism, fine details, and dynamic postures, especially in depictions of dance and devotion.
A) They were places of religious worship, economic activity, and education
Temples under the Cholas functioned as centers of learning, cultural activities, and economic transactions in addition to being places of worship.