10th Century Chola Era Mural Paintings Discovered in Tamil Nadu
Archaeologists have discovered rare 10th-century mural paintings from the Chola period in a temple in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur district.
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- 10th-century Chola murals found in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
- Paintings depict Lord Shiva and celestial themes.
- Natural pigments were used in the creation of these murals.
- The discovery was made during an ASI restoration project.
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. |
| State PCS / PSC | High | 5–10 | Regional history is specifically tested in state exams — Maratha history in Maharashtra, etc. |
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | Medium | 3–5 | Modern Indian history, freedom struggle, and cultural heritage appear in SSC CGL. |
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 discovered 10th-century murals belong to which dynasty?
- Pallava
- Chola
- Pandya
- Chera
Explanation: The murals discovered in Thanjavur belong to the Chola dynasty.
Q2. In which state were the 10th-century Chola murals discovered?
- Karnataka
- Kerala
- Tamil Nadu
- Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: The discovery was made in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.
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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