Question

Why did kings destroy temples when they attacked each one another's kingdoms?
A. A destroyed temple was the symbol of a king's loss of power and wealth
B. To get access to the valuable and prized artefacts
C. To gain credit as a powerful personality
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: In the ancient times, the kings were seen as equivalent to gods. Therefore, by destroying a temple the rivals tried to convey the destruction caused to the god of a particular kingdom. It signified establishment of the power of the rivals and was seen as diminishing its own power and authority.

Complete answer:
A destroyed temple was the symbol of a king's loss of power and wealth: This option is the closest to the description given in the hint. A destroyed temple was seen as a destruction of the king’s power. Therefore, this is the correct option.

To get access to the valuable and prized artefacts: This was not the primary reason, but by destroying the temple , its valuable and prized artefacts used to be taken over by the enemy. Though, this is not the correct option.

To gain credit as a powerful personality: This option is just a result of the primary reason of destroying temples as stated in the hint. This is not the correct option.

All of the above: This option is invalid as the correct option is option A.

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note:The Pandyan king Shrimara Shrivallabha invaded Sri Lanka in early ninth century and defeated the king, he removed all the prized possessions like The statue of the Buddha which was made entirely of gold in the Jewel Palace and the golden images in various monasteries.
Most of the rulers had this perspective of exhibiting their political and military success by targeting , attacking and looting the centre of worship of the rival rulers.