Correct Option
The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Chola period (9th to 13th century CE) marks a high point in South Indian art and architecture. While famous for the Dravidian style of temple construction, the era is equally celebrated for its bronze sculptures, cast using the Cire Perdue (lost-wax) technique. Royal women of the Chola dynasty were significant patrons of religion and art.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Sembiyan Maha Devi is renowned as a benevolent patron of art and architecture, not a destroyer of temples. She is historically credited with rebuilding many old brick temples in granite (stone) to ensure their longevity. Her contributions were pivotal in the evolution of early Chola art.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Sembiyan Maha Devi was the queen of the Chola king Gandaraditya. She was widowed early but lived a long and influential life, continuing her patronage through the reigns of subsequent kings, including her son Uttama Chola and the great Rajaraja I.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Chola bronzes are universally acknowledged as masterpieces of metallurgical art. Their aesthetic perfection, particularly the iconography of Nataraja, makes them highly prized collectors' items and museum exhibits worldwide.
Key Takeaway: Sembiyan Maha Devi was a distinguished Chola queen known for converting brick temples into stone and commissioning exquisite bronzes. Chola bronzes are globally acclaimed for their artistic excellence.