The Chola kings such as Rajaraja I and Rajendra built the famous temples of Brihadeshwara and Ganaikonda-Chola Puram. Temples made up the nucleus of the settlements that came up in this period. They became the core of the production of crafts and controlled the economic aspects associated with them as well. Therefore, they ended up as not only religious centres but also as the centre of social, economic, and cultural activities as well.