10th-Century Chola Era Idol Returned to India from United Kingdom
A rare 10th-century bronze idol of Lord Nataraja, stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu decades ago, has been successfully repatriated from the UK.
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- A 10th-century Chola bronze Nataraja idol was repatriated from the UK.
- The idol was stolen from a Tamil Nadu temple in the 1970s.
- The repatriation is part of India's 'Heritage Restitution' project.
- The Chola period is considered the 'Golden Age' of South Indian bronze art.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC / State PCS | High | 10–20 | Ancient, medieval, and modern history form a full section in UPSC Prelims and GS-I Mains. |
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | Medium | 3–5 | Modern Indian history, freedom struggle, and cultural heritage appear in SSC CGL. |
| State PCS / PSC | High | 5–10 | Regional history is specifically tested in state exams — Maratha history in Maharashtra, etc. |
What to Memorize from This Topic
- Anniversaries: birth/death anniversaries of important historical figures in the news
- Cultural events and their historical significance
- Archaeological discoveries: site, period, excavating body
- UNESCO World Heritage additions: site name, location, significance
- Art and literature awards linked to historical works
Practice Questions
Q1. The recently repatriated Nataraja idol belongs to which ancient Indian dynasty?
- Pallava
- Chola
- Pandya
- Chera
Explanation: The idol belongs to the Chola dynasty, famous for its bronze sculptures.
Q2. Which agency is primarily responsible for the recovery and preservation of stolen Indian artifacts?
- NITI Aayog
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
- Ministry of External Affairs
- National Archives
Explanation: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the nodal agency for identifying and repatriating stolen heritage items.
How to Prepare History & Culture for Government Exams
When a historical figure is in the news, revise 5 key facts about their contribution — this is typically what the exam asks.
For SSC and Railway, focus on dates and names. For UPSC, understand the social, economic, and political context.
Maintain a 'This Week in History' note — anniversaries and commemorations generate predictable exam questions.
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