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Difficulty: MediumState Tourism, Art, Fairs, and Architecture

In the context of the historical art, cultural heritage, and architectural evolution of Tamil Nadu, arrange the following monuments in chronological order of their original construction, from the earliest to the latest:

1. Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram
2. Pancha Rathas, Mamallapuram
3. Tirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, Madurai
4. Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur

Which sequence correctly places these architectural landmarks in order of their construction?

  1. 1Pancha Rathas, Mamallapuram
  2. 2Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur
  3. 3Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram
  4. 4Tirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, Madurai

Answer

The correct chronological sequence from earliest to latest is Pancha Rathas, Mamallapuram (7th century CE), followed by Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur (early 11th century CE), Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram (mid-12th century CE), and Tirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, Madurai (17th century CE).
The correct order follows the historical timeline of dynastic rule in South India: 1st - Pancha Rathas at Mamallapuram (Pallava dynasty, mid-7th century CE); 2nd - Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur (Early Imperial Chola dynasty under Rajaraja I, c. 1010 CE); 3rd - Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram (Later Chola dynasty under Rajaraja II, c. 1166 CE); 4th - Tirumalai Nayakkar Mahal at Madurai (Madurai Nayak dynasty, c. 1636 CE).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the construction era of Pancha Rathas, Mamallapuram.
Pancha Rathas dates to the 7th century CE under the Pallava dynasty (King Narasimhavarman I).
It represents the earliest phase of monolithic rock-cut temple architecture in Tamil Nadu.
2
Determine the construction era of Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur.
Brihadisvara Temple was completed around 1010 CE under the Chola Emperor Rajaraja I.
It marks the pinnacle of mature Chola structural Dravidian architecture in the early 11th century.
3
Determine the construction era of Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram.
Airavatesvara Temple was built around 1166 CE during the reign of Rajaraja II.
It belongs to the later Chola phase in the mid-12th century CE, following the Thanjavur temple.
4
Determine the construction era of Tirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, Madurai.
Tirumalai Nayakkar Mahal was constructed in 1636 CE by King Tirumalai Nayak.
It represents post-medieval Indo-Saracenic/Nayak royal secular architecture of the 17th century.

Key Concept

Chronological evolution of dynastic architectural styles in Tamil Nadu (Pallava to Chola to Nayak)
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Topics

State Tourism, Art, Fairs, and Architecture

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