10th Century Chola Era Mural Paintings Discovered in Tamil Nadu

Q1. The recently discovered 10th-century mural paintings in Thanjavur belong to which historical dynasty?

1. Pallava Dynasty
2. Chola Dynasty
3. Pandya Dynasty
4. Vijayanagara Empire

Explanation: The murals were explicitly dated to the 10th century CE, which falls within the early period of the Chola dynasty's rule. This period is known for significant artistic and architectural contributions under rulers like Aditya I and Parantaka I.

Q2. What is the primary subject matter depicted in these newly discovered Chola murals?

1. Scenes from the Ramayana
2. Portraits of Chola kings
3. The life of Lord Shiva and celestial deities
4. Daily life and trade activities

Explanation: The murals are described as depicting scenes from the life of Lord Shiva, including his various forms and cosmic activities, along with depictions of celestial deities and mythical figures, reflecting the religious focus of the era.

Q3. Which archaeological organization is responsible for the discovery and planned preservation of these 10th-century murals?

1. National Museum, New Delhi
2. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)
3. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
4. State Department of Archaeology, Tamil Nadu

Explanation: The content explicitly states that a team of archaeologists from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) made the discovery and plans to use non-invasive techniques for preservation, highlighting the ASI's role.

Q4. The discovery of these murals is considered significant primarily because:

1. They are the largest Chola murals ever found.
2. They provide new insights into Chola military campaigns.
3. They bridge a gap in the history of South Indian mural art from the 10th century.
4. They are made using modern synthetic pigments.

Explanation: The article emphasizes that the discovery is vital as it bridges a gap in the history of South Indian mural art, offering concrete evidence of 10th-century Chola painting techniques and themes that were previously less understood.

Q5. In which district of Tamil Nadu were these significant 10th-century Chola mural paintings found?

1. Madurai
2. Kanchipuram
3. Thanjavur
4. Chennai

Explanation: The discovery was made in a temple located in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur was a historically important capital city of the Chola empire, making it a fitting location for such a find.