Read the statements in the context of the Vijayanagara Empire and choose the correct statements.
(A) Rulers very often encouraged temple building as a means of associating themselves with the divine.
(B) Temples functioned only as a religious centre and were never a centre of economy and polity.
(C) Kings prepared and maintained temples to win the support and for recognition of their power, wealth and piety.
(D) Temples never functioned as a centre of learning.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (A), (C) Only
(A) Rulers very often encouraged temple building as a means of associating themselves with the divine. Correct. Rulers very often encouraged temple building as a means of associating themselves with the divine; often the deity was explicitly or implicitly identified with the king.
(B) Temples functioned only as a religious centre and were never a centre of economy and polity. Incorrect. Rulers and others granted land and other resources for the maintenance of temples, so temples developed as significant religious, social, cultural and economic centres.
(C) Kings prepared and maintained temples to win the support and for recognition of their power, wealth and piety. Correct. From the point of view of the rulers, constructing, repairing and maintaining temples were important means of winning support and recognition for their power, wealth and piety.
(D) Temples never functioned as a centre of learning. Incorrect. Temples also functioned as centres of learning.
NCERT (2026-27): “5.1 Choosing a capital … Temple building in the region had a long history, going back to dynasties such as the Pallavas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas and Cholas. Rulers very often encouraged temple building as a means of associating themselves with the divine – often, the deity was explicitly or implicitly identified with the king. Temples also functioned as centres of learning. Besides, rulers and others often granted land and other resources for the maintenance of temples. Consequently, temples developed as significant religious, social, cultural and economic centres. From the point of view of the rulers, constructing, repairing and maintaining temples were important means of winning support and recognition for their power, wealth and piety.…” |