Why we know more about Cholas | Temple Inscriptions
We have more information about the Cholas because they systematically engraved historical narratives of their victories and grants on temple walls, providing a durable record.
Primary Reference: NCERT Class VII - Our Pasts II
Archived:
Updated:
Exam Year
2020
Evidence Source
UPSC Level
Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): We have much more information about Cholas than their predecessors.
Reason (R): The Chola rulers adopted the practice of having inscriptions written on the walls of temples giving a historical narrative of their victories.Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[UPPCS Prelims 2020]
Detailed Solution & Historical Context
Concept
Historical reconstructions depend on surviving primary sources. The Cholas were unique in their systematic approach to documenting state events in durable stone.
Authentic Source Evidence
Chola temples like the Brihadisvara (Thanjavur) are covered with long inscriptions in Tamil and Sanskrit that detail military conquests, land grants, and lineages.
Analytical Breakdown
Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic
"How did Chola inscriptions help in local administration?"
Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip
"The Chola practice of recording history on temple walls transformed religious sites into public archives of the state's achievements."
Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)
Analysing authentic UPPCS Prelimsprevious year questions is non-negotiable for serious aspirants. Thoroughly decoding past exam trends related to Epigraphy in Chola History helps you understand the examiner's mindset. Mastering specific entities like Chola inscriptions and Prashasti builds the analytical intuition needed to clear the exam. Practice Previous Year Questions here →