Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: Suryavarman II
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Angkor Wat in present day Cambodia is one of the largest religious monuments in the world and a masterpiece of Khmer temple architecture. It is dedicated primarily to Vishnu and reflects strong Indian cultural and religious influence in Southeast Asia. Many examinations test which ruler commissioned this temple, because it links regional history with the wider spread of Indian civilisation beyond the subcontinent.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Angkor Wat was built in the early twelfth century during the reign of the Khmer king Suryavarman II. It originally functioned as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu and later also acquired Buddhist associations. The temple's orientation, bas reliefs and iconography all reflect the royal and religious ideas of Suryavarman II's period. Shrutavarman and Indravarman are names of other Southeast Asian rulers, but they are not credited with this specific temple. Aniruddha does not match the historically established builder of Angkor Wat in standard references.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Remember that Angkor Wat is associated most closely with the Khmer Empire at its height.
Step 2: Recall that Suryavarman II ruled in the early twelfth century and is credited with commissioning this grand temple complex.
Step 3: Shrutavarman and Indravarman may appear in broader lists of rulers, but they are not linked in textbooks as the founders of Angkor Wat.
Step 4: The name Aniruddha is more commonly associated with Indian mythological or other contexts and is not the correct Khmer king in this question.
Step 5: Therefore, Suryavarman II is the accurate choice that fits both the monument and the historical period.
Verification / Alternative check:
Art history and world heritage descriptions of Angkor Wat consistently state that it was built in the first half of the twelfth century during the reign of Suryavarman II. Inscriptions and later chronicles testify to his patronage of Vishnu worship and the symbolic design of the temple complex as a representation of Mount Meru and the Hindu cosmos. No reputable source attributes the foundation of Angkor Wat to the other names listed in the options, confirming that Suryavarman II is the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Shrutavarman: Not recognised in standard histories as the builder of Angkor Wat and not the central Khmer ruler associated with this monument.
Indravarman: Although the name appears among Southeast Asian monarchs, he is not regarded as the patron of Angkor Wat.
Aniruddha: The name is not linked with the Khmer king who commissioned this temple and is therefore incorrect for this question.
Common Pitfalls:
Because several Khmer rulers have names ending in "varman", candidates may confuse them under exam pressure. Some also select any name that sounds vaguely familiar without recalling the specific association. Focusing on the pair Angkor Wat and Suryavarman II helps fix this fact in memory, along with the idea that this monument symbolises the peak of Khmer temple building inspired by Indian religious models.
Final Answer:
The Vishnu temple at Angkor Wat in Cambodia was built under the rule of Suryavarman II.
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