Read the passage and answer the question:
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 and economic centres.
Why did the rulers encourage temple building in their kingdoms?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → To win the support and recognition for their power, wealth and piety.
The passage says that rulers encouraged temple building as a means of associating themselves with the divine; often the deity was identified with the king.
Option (1) To protect their empire from outside attack. — Incorrect. Temples were religious, social and economic centres, not works of defence; the passage says nothing of attack.
Option (2) To utilise infertile and barren land. — Incorrect. Land is mentioned only as the grants made for the maintenance of temples, not as barren land put to use.
Option (3) To win the support and recognition for their power, wealth and piety. — Correct. For the rulers, constructing, repairing and maintaining temples were important means of winning support and recognition for their power, wealth and piety.
Option (4) To conduct large scale religious conversion successfully. — Incorrect. The rulers built temples to link themselves with the deity, not to convert their subjects.
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.…” |