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.
The paragraph refers to which kingdom?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Vijayanagara
The passage talks about the long history of temple building in the region, which went back to earlier dynasties, and about how rulers encouraged temple building to associate themselves with the divine, so that temples became religious, social and economic centres. These lines open the account of how the capital of Vijayanagara was chosen: the very choice of its site was likely inspired by the shrines of Virupaksha and Pampadevi, and the Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of the god Virupaksha.
Hence, the answer is Vijayanagara.
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. It is likely that the very choice of the site of Vijayanagara was inspired by the existence of the shrines of Virupaksha and Pampadevi. In fact the Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of the god Virupaksha.…” |