South Indian Architectural Timeline

Chronology of South Indian Temples: Pallava to Chola

The correct chronological order is Sapt pagoda, Shore temple, Brihadishwar temple, and Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XI - An Introduction to Indian Art

Archived: 2018

Updated: 23 Jan 2026

Exam Year

2018

Evidence Source

Arrange the following temples in chronological order and select the correct answer from the codes given below: I. Brihadishwar temple II. Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple III. Shore temple of Mahabalipuram IV. Sapt pagoda

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

South Indian temple architecture progressed from the rock-cut and monolithic phases of the Pallavas to the massive structural heights of the Cholas.

Sapt Pagoda (Early 7th CE): Monolithic structures at Mahabalipuram (Pallava).

Shore Temple (Late 8th CE): Structural stone temple at Mahabalipuram (Pallava - Rajasimha).

Brihadishwar (1010 CE): Built by Rajaraja I in Thanjavur (Chola).

Gangaikonda Cholapuram (1035 CE): Built by Rajendra I (Chola).

Logic 1: Pallava monuments (Sapt pagoda/Shore temple) are always earlier than the Imperial Chola temples.

Logic 2: Brihadishwar (father) precedes Gangaikonda Cholapuram (son).

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Who built the Brihadishwar temple?"

Rajaraja Chola I.

"The transition from monolithic rathas to the soaring vimana of the Brihadishwar temple marks the peak of Dravidian architectural engineering."

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