Foreign connection of Thanjavur temple

Hailed as the ‘state of temple cities in India’, Tamil Nadu is home to many age-old iconic temples with rich cultural heritage and splendid architectural work. Thanjavur’s Brihadisvara Temple is one of the largest temples in South India built by Raja Raja Chola I in the 11th century. The temple has several Gods and saints sculpted on its outer side and its Tamil architecture is an exemplary display of unmatched craftsmanship. One of the carved figures looks like a European person who bears an uncanny resemblance to the 9th century France King, Robert II. Also, the temple’s sculpture features the engraving of a Chinese man. Historians across the world have confirmed that the world was not connected until the 15th-century. Even Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route from Europe to India in the 15th century. Taking all these factors into consideration, many history buffs speculate that Raja Raja Chola I must have established trade connections with Europe and China even before Vasco da Gama set his foot on Indian soil.