SSC CGL 2025 Tier-I · 18 September 2025, Shift 2 · General Awareness · Question 6 of 100

We transcribed this text from the pictures on a candidate's response sheet for this shift; the answer is the key SSC colour-marked on that sheet. Solution last reviewed 11 September 2026.

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Who among the following Chola emperors constructed the grand temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram?

(a)Rajaraja Chola I
(b)Rajendra Chola I
(c)Rajadhiraja Chola I
(d)Kulothunga Chola I

Answer

Why

Correct — B. Rajendra Chola I founded Gangaikonda Cholapuram to commemorate his victory over the Pala dynasty and moved the Chola capital there from Thanjavur.

The Brihadisvara temple he built there was completed in 1035 CE → option (b).

Why the others are wrong

(a)
Rajaraja Chola I — Rajaraja Chola I built the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur between 1003 and 1010 AD. Gangaikonda Cholapuram was his son's city.
(c)
Rajadhiraja Chola I — Rajadhiraja I was Rajendra's son and successor, sole ruler from 1044, nine years after the temple was completed. He died at the battle of Koppam in 1052.
(d)
Kulothunga Chola I — Kulothunga I ruled from 1070 to 1122, decades after 1035. He was Rajendra I's grandson through his mother, a Chola princess.

Concept

The Great Living Chola Temples are three temples raised by Chola kings between 1003 and 1166.

Rajaraja I built the Brihadisvara at Thanjavur (1003–1010 AD). His son Rajendra I completed the temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in 1035. The Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram, completed in 1166, belongs to Rajaraja II.

UNESCO inscribed Thanjavur in 1987 and added the other two in 2004.

The city's name records the campaign: Rajendra took the title Gangaikonda Chola after his forces reached the Ganga and defeated the Palas. Gangaikonda Cholapuram then remained the Chola capital for about 250 years.

Key facts

Rajendra Chola I founded Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and its temple was completed in 1035 CE.
Rajaraja Chola I built the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur between 1003 and 1010 AD.
The Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram was completed in 1166 under Rajaraja II.
UNESCO inscribed the Thanjavur temple in 1987 and extended the site to Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram in 2004.

Study next

Rajendra I's northern campaign against the PalasRajendra I's naval expedition to Southeast AsiaDravida temple features: vimana, gopuram, mandapa

Common traps

Choosing Rajaraja I because Thanjavur's Brihadisvara is the best-known Chola temple: Gangaikonda Cholapuram was built by his son.
Assuming one builder because both temples are called Brihadisvara: Thanjavur's is Rajaraja I's, Gangaikonda Cholapuram's is Rajendra I's.

Chola kings are also tested at 13 Sep 2024, 12:30, GA Q.7 (the year Rajaraja I's reign ended) and 19 Sep 2025, 09:00, GA Q.6 (the Rashtrakuta king who defeated Parantaka I).

Related PYQs

No directly related past PYQ was found.

Topic: History — all 154 SSC CGL questions on it, every solved shift.