CAPF AC 2025 Q48: Medieval History – Regional Kingdoms & Frontier States
With reference to the history of Orissa, consider the following statements:
1. Anantavarman Chodaganga consolidated Orissa into a powerful kingdom and was patron of Sanskrit and Telugu literature.
2. Anantavarman Chodaganga built the great temple of the Sun God at Konark in Puri district.
3. Narasimha I effectively checked the external invasion and maintained prosperity in the kingdom.
How many statements given above are correct?
- (a) 1
- (b) 2
- (c) 3
- (d) None
Answer: (b) 2
Explanation
History of Orissa
How to think: keep two Eastern Ganga kings apart.
Anantavarman Chodaganga (c. 1078-1147) built the Jagannath Temple at Puri.
Narasimha I (c. 1238-64) built the Sun Temple at Konark and held off Muslim invasions.
| Statement | Fact | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Chodaganga consolidated Orissa, patron of Sanskrit and Telugu literature | He united the kingdom and patronised Sanskrit and Telugu learning | Correct |
| 2. Chodaganga built the Konark Sun temple | The Konark temple was built by Narasimha I; Chodaganga built the Puri Jagannath temple | Wrong |
| 3. Narasimha I checked external invasion and kept prosperity | He defeated the Bengal Sultanate's attacks and the kingdom was prosperous | Correct |
Two statements (1 and 3) are correct.
Answer: (b) 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statements 1 and 3 are both right, so the count is two.
- (b) CORRECT. Exactly two statements (1 and 3) are correct.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is wrong: Konark was built by Narasimha I.
- (d) Incorrect. At least two statements are correct.
Key point
Eastern Gangas: Anantavarman Chodaganga built the Jagannath Temple, Puri (12th century); Narasimhadeva I built the Konark Sun Temple (13th century) and repelled Muslim invasions.
Remember
Chodaganga: Puri. Narasimha I: Konark.
Common mistakes
- Giving the Konark temple to Chodaganga because he is the better-known Ganga king.
- Mixing up Puri (Jagannath) and Konark (Sun).
- Counting the statements wrongly when asked 'how many'.
Exam tip
Educated guess: Konark is the 13th-century sun temple and Jagannath is older, so the two famous temples belong to different kings. That makes statement 2 the odd one.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, chapter on Temple architecture of Odisha (Konark and Puri)
- R. C. Majumdar (ed.), The History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 5: The Struggle for Empire, chapter on the Eastern Gangas of Kalinga