In Indian history, the world famous Konark Sun Temple in Odisha was built by which ruler of the Eastern Ganga dynasty?

Introduction / Context:
The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha is one of the most iconic monuments of India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its chariot shaped architecture dedicated to the Sun god. Competitive exams often ask about the ruler who commissioned this temple, because it connects art history, regional dynasties, and religious architecture in medieval India. Knowing the correct patron helps situate the monument in the timeline of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha.
• It asks which ruler of the Eastern Ganga dynasty built it.
• Options list rulers from different periods and dynasties.
• Only one of these rulers is historically linked with the construction of this temple.

Concept / Approach:
This is a factual art and architecture question. The approach is to recall that the Eastern Ganga dynasty ruled parts of present day Odisha, and one of its prominent kings, Narasimhadeva I, is credited with building the Konark Sun Temple in the thirteenth century. Other options are included to test whether students can distinguish between different dynasties such as the Mauryas, the Vijayanagara rulers, and the Gangas. Matching the right king with the correct period and region gives the answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Konark Sun Temple is located on the coast of Odisha and is associated with the Eastern Ganga dynasty. Step 2: Remember that Narasimhadeva I, a powerful Ganga ruler in the thirteenth century, is traditionally credited with commissioning this grand temple dedicated to the Sun god. Step 3: Examine the options and identify Narasimhadeva I among the choices. Step 4: Recognise that other names like Ashoka, Chandragupta Maurya, or Krishnadevaraya belong to different dynasties and regions. Step 5: Conclude that Narasimhadeva I is the only correct option for the builder of Konark Sun Temple.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by consulting any standard art and culture textbook for competitive exams or a history book on medieval India. Chapters on temple architecture often highlight Konark as an example of Odisha style architecture and credit Narasimhadeva I as the patron. Guidebooks on Odisha tourism and official archaeological descriptions from the Archaeological Survey of India also repeat this attribution. This consistent evidence across multiple reliable sources confirms that Narasimhadeva I is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Krishnadevaraya was a famous ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire in South India and is associated with monuments in Hampi, not Konark in Odisha. Ashoka was a Mauryan emperor of the third century BCE and is known for rock edicts and stupas rather than this thirteenth century temple. Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire and lived many centuries before Konark was built. Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva was an earlier Eastern Ganga ruler associated more with the Jagannath temple at Puri than with Konark. Therefore, none of these alternatives match the specific connection required by the question.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to choose any famous king associated with temple building without paying attention to region and period. For example, students may incorrectly mark Krishnadevaraya simply because they remember his patronage of grand temples. Others may confuse different Odisha monuments and mix up the patrons of Puri and Konark. To avoid such errors, learners should create short notes linking each monument with its location, approximate date, dynasty, and builder, and revise them regularly.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Narasimhadeva I.