Which of the following architectural styles reached its zenith under the patronage of the Vijayanagara Empire in Tamil Nadu, characterized by towering Gopurams and intricately carved Kalyana Mandapams?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Vijayanagara Empire patronized the grand evolution of the Dravidian architectural style, notable for massive gateway towers called Gopurams, ornate pillared halls termed Kalyana Mandapams, and monolithic guardian sculptures. Nagara architecture represents the northern Indian temple building tradition with curvilinear shikhara towers. Vesara architecture is a hybrid style combining elements of northern and southern traditions in the Deccan. Hoysala architecture features star-shaped temple plans with soapstone sculptural detailing in Karnataka.