Question

Difficulty: MediumCultural Heritage, Art, Architecture, Bhakti and Sufi Movements

Arrange the following prominent historical monuments of Indian art and architecture in correct chronological order of their construction/creation, starting from the earliest to the latest:

1. Sun Temple, Konark
2. Badami Cave Temple No. 3
3. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho
4. Shore Temple, Mamallapuram

Which of the following represents the correct chronological sequence?

  1. 1Badami Cave Temple No. 3
  2. 2Shore Temple, Mamallapuram
  3. 3Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho
  4. 4Sun Temple, Konark

Answer

The correct chronological sequence from earliest to latest is Badami Cave Temple No. 3 (6th Century CE), followed by Shore Temple at Mamallapuram (8th Century CE), Kandariya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho (11th Century CE), and Sun Temple at Konark (13th Century CE).
The correct sequence begins with Badami Cave Temple No. 3, which contains an inscription from 578 CE during the Early Chalukya era. Next is the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram, built under Pallava King Narasimhavarman II in the early 8th century CE. This is followed by the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho, constructed by Chandela ruler Vidyadhara in the 11th century CE. Finally, the Sun Temple at Konark was built under Eastern Ganga ruler Narasimhadeva I in the mid-13th century CE.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the approximate century and dynasty for each architectural monument.
Badami Cave Temple No. 3 (~578 CE, Badami Chalukya), Shore Temple (~700–728 CE, Pallava), Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (~1025–1050 CE, Chandela), Sun Temple Konark (~1250 CE, Eastern Ganga).
Identifying the century and ruling dynasty allows placing each structure in historical sequence.
2
Order the monuments from earliest to latest date of creation.
Order: Badami Cave Temple No. 3 (6th C) → Shore Temple, Mamallapuram (8th C) → Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho (11th C) → Sun Temple, Konark (13th C).
Matching the centuries chronologically yields the correct order.

Key Concept

Chronological evolution of Indian rock-cut and temple architecture across major historical dynasties
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