Statement A): Chola temples were the hub of religious, social and cultural life. Statement B): Chola bronze images were of deities but sometimes also of devotees.
- A.Both A) and B) are true and B) is the correct explanation of A).
- B.Both A) and B) are true, but B) is not the correct explanation of A).
- C.A) is true, but B) is false.
- D.A) is false, but B) is true.
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, both statements are true, but B is not the correct explanation of A. Chola temples such as the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur, built by Rajaraja I, were far more than places of worship. They held land and villages, employed priests, garland makers, cooks, dancers and musicians, ran schools and craft workshops, and even lent money, so the religious, social and cultural life of the region gathered around them. Chola bronzes were cast by the lost wax method and mostly show deities such as Nataraja, Vishnu and Parvati, while a few portray donors and devotees, including saints and members of the royal family. Both statements are correct facts, but the subject matter of the bronzes does not explain why the temples were social centres; their land, wealth and grants do. So option A is wrong. Option C is wrong because Statement B is true, and option D is wrong because Statement A is true. Exam tip: Brihadisvara temple, Thanjavur, Rajaraja I; Chola bronzes by the lost wax method, Nataraja the most famous.
Practice Questions
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