Consider the following statements: 1. Temples were destroyed as these...
In the early ninth century when the Pandyan king Shrimara Shrivallabha invaded Sri Lanka and defeated the king, Sena I (831-851), the Buddhist monk and chronicler Dhammakitti noted: “he removed all the valuables ... The statue of the Buddha made entirely of gold in the Jewel Palace”.
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Consider the following statements: 1. Temples were destroyed as these...
Statement 1: Temples were destroyed as these demonstrated other king’s power and wealth.
This statement is incorrect. Temples were not destroyed because they demonstrated other king's power and wealth. In fact, temples were often seen as symbols of power and wealth themselves, and kings would often patronize and support them to demonstrate their own authority and devotion to the gods. Temples were important centers of religious and social life, and they played a significant role in the political and cultural landscape of ancient India.
Statement 2: Chola king Rajendra I took away the gold statue of the Buddha when he attacked Sri Lanka.
This statement is correct. Rajendra I, the Chola king, did take away the gold statue of the Buddha when he attacked Sri Lanka. The Chola Empire was a powerful maritime empire that had extensive trade and political connections with Sri Lanka. In the 11th century, Rajendra I launched a military campaign against the Sri Lankan kingdom of Anuradhapura and successfully captured the city. As a symbol of his victory, he took away the gold statue of the Buddha, which was highly revered by the Sri Lankan Buddhists.
Conclusion:
Based on the analysis, we can conclude that statement 1 is incorrect while statement 2 is correct. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'B' - 2 only.