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1,000-year-old Chola-era inscription found near a government school outside Bengaluru
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1,000 years old, found near a school: the Chola dynasty facts Prelims always tests
A roughly 1,000-year-old Chola-period inscription was found unprotected near a government school outside Bengaluru, exposing gaps in heritage documentation in Karnataka.
Why it matters: asked in KPSC 2021; factual, Prelims-type; Karnataka-specific
What you need to know
2 min read
A roughly 1,000-year-old inscription from the Chola period was found lying beside a government school on the outskirts of Bengaluru, highlighting gaps in the documentation and protection of Karnataka's epigraphical heritage.
The Chola dynasty, which ruled large parts of south India between the 9th and 13th centuries CE, extended its control into parts of present-day Karnataka under rulers such as Rajaraja I and Rajendra I.
Stone inscriptions from this period are a key primary source for reconstructing south Indian administrative, land-revenue and temple history.
The Karnataka Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage is responsible for documenting and protecting such inscriptions under state heritage laws.
Sources: Deccan Herald · Topper IAS editorial
Key facts
Remember these
- Chola dynasty ruled large parts of south India between the 9th and 13th centuries CE
- Rulers Rajaraja I and Rajendra I extended Chola control into parts of present-day Karnataka
- The roughly 1,000-year-old inscription was found unprotected beside a government school outside Bengaluru
- Karnataka Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage documents and protects such inscriptions under state heritage laws
- Stone inscriptions are key primary sources for south Indian administrative, land-revenue and temple history
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- The Chola dynasty ruled large parts of south India between the 9th and 13th centuries CE.
- Rajaraja I and Rajendra I extended Chola control into parts of present-day Karnataka.
- Stone inscriptions of the Chola period are primary sources for south Indian administrative and temple history.
- The Karnataka Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage is responsible for protecting such inscriptions under state heritage laws.
Mains
GS Paper 1 / Art & Culture: the discovery of an unprotected Chola-era inscription near Bengaluru points to gaps in Karnataka's epigraphical documentation despite existing state heritage law mandates for the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage. This risks the loss of primary sources for reconstructing south Indian administrative and temple history. The way forward lies in systematic village-level inscription surveys, community/school reporting mechanisms, and digitisation of epigraphical records.
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
Consider the following statements.
- He was among the greatest rulers of South India.
- He defeated the Pala rulers and built Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
- He conquered Sri Lanka completely. The statements above refer to which ruler?
- Rajaraja Chola
- Rajendra Chola
- Krishnadevaraya
- Krishna I
Show answer
Answer: B
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
The Chola dynasty, whose roughly 1,000-year-old inscription was found near Bengaluru, is most associated with rule over which part of India between the 9th and 13th centuries CE?
- North India
- Northeast India
- South India
- Western India
Show answer
Answer: C — The Cholas were a major south Indian dynasty, ruling from the 9th to 13th centuries CE and extending influence into present-day Karnataka under rulers like Rajaraja I.
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