RAS question
Which Pallava king is credited with building the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram?
Correct answer: (C) Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha).
Narasimhavarman II, also known as Rajasimha, is credited with building the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram.
Explanation
Narasimhavarman II, or Rajasimha, fits the question because the Shore Temple belongs to the structural phase of Pallava architecture at Mahabalipuram. The ASI account separates the earlier Mamalla-period monuments, such as the rock-cut rathas and cave temples, from the later structural architecture introduced on a grand scale by Pallava Rajasimha, culminating in the world-famous Shore Temple. Rajasimha ruled in about 690-728 CE, and the Shore Temple is among the oldest structural stone temples in South India. This is why the answer is not merely another Pallava name: the key clue is the shift from rock-cut monuments to a built, structural temple.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Nandivarman II was a later Pallava ruler, while the Shore Temple belongs to the Rajasimha phase in the ASI account.
- (B) Narasimhavarman I was Mamalla, associated by ASI with Mahabalipuram's rathas, cave temples and sculptured rock panels, not with the structural Shore Temple.
- (D) Mahendravarman I is linked to rock-cut cave temple activity, whereas the Shore Temple marks the later structural phase under Rajasimha.
Concept
This tests Pallava art and architecture, especially the distinction between rock-cut monuments and structural temple building. RAS repeatedly asks this because South Indian temple architecture is a standard Ancient India theme with closely named Pallava rulers.