QUESTION 11
GS1
15 marks
"Though the great cholas are no more yet their name is still remembered with great pride because of their highest achievements in the domain of art and architecture." Comment.
WRITE IN
11 min
250 words
What the examiner wants
Comment on why the Cholas are remembered for their art and architecture, using named monuments and bronzes.
CommentGive your own view on the statement and back it with facts and examples.
Demand-wise check
- 1Temples: Brihadeeswara (Thanjavur), Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Airavatesvara (Darasuram)≈65 words
- 2Bronze sculpture: Nataraja and lost-wax technique≈65 words
- 3Other: frescoes, inscriptions, temple as social centre≈65 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
IntroTemple architectureBronzePainting and inscriptionsLegacyConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Writing Chola political history instead of art
- Not mentioning the Nataraja bronze
Draw this
- Sketch of a Chola vimana with labels
Value addition
- FactThe Great Living Chola Temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1987, extended 2004).UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- TechniqueChola bronzes were made by the lost-wax (cire perdue) process.National Museum, New Delhi
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Ajay R Raj · AIR 109 · Page 13 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Akansh Dhull · AIR 3 · Page 23 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Monika Srivastava · AIR 16 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Ajay R Raj · AIR 109 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 11 minutes, then get it checked.