cholas Tamil Kingdom - An over view and introduction

cholas Tamil Kingdom - An over view and introduction

1. © Rajaraja Chola | (985-1014)

+ The real greatness of the Chola kingdom began with Rajaraja Chola 1.
+ He is also known as Arumolivarman.

+ Rajaraja Chola | defeated a confederation of the three kingdoms of Pandya, Kerala and Ceylon.
+ He destructed the Anuradhapura after defeating north Ceylon.

+ Rajaraja Chola | also annexed the Maldives probably for securing the trade routes of the Indian
Ocean.

+ He built Famous Rajeshwara / Brihadeshwara temple at Thanjavur (Dravida Style) in 1010 AD.

+ Rajaraja Chola | encouraged Sailendra ruler of Srivijaya (South-EastAsia), to build a Buddhist vihara
at Nagapattinam.

+ The vihara was called ‘Chudamani Vihara’.

2. Rajendra Chola | (1012-1044)

+ Rajendra Chola defeated southern Srilanka & annexed whole Srilanka.

+ He moved to north & Captured till Bengal defeating Mahipala |
+ Rajendra Chola assumed title of Gangaikonda Chola.

+ He conquered Malay Peninsula & converted Bay of Bengal to Chola lake for trading purposes with
China,

+ He founded new capital of Chola dynasty Gangaikondacholapuram at Kaveri valley.

+ Rajendra Chola also built famous Gangaikondachola Temple (Dravida style) in the new capital of Chola
dynasty.

+ In 1025, Rajendra Chola sent expedition to Sumatra and Malaya and defeated ruler of Srivijaya
empire.

+ In 1015 and 1033 Rajendra Chola | had sent diplomatic missions to China.

4. Chola Administration

+ Chola Kingdom was divided into Mandalams or provinces.

+ Mandalams were further divided into Town and Villages.
+ Autonomous administration for towns and townships, known as Tankurrams.
+ Town autonomy was quite similar to village autonomy and both were administered by assemblies.

+ In the sabha, membership was restricted to the Brahmins of the village, or was found exclusively in a
village gifted to Brahmins.

+ The nagaram was found more commonly in trade centres such as cities and towns.

5. Public Works in Chola Kingdom
+ Extensive irrigation works, roads and cities were made in the time of Chola dynasty.

+ They made artificial lake (16 miles in length) near Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and constructed dams
across the Kaveri river for irrigation purposes.

6. Chola dynasty was a Tamil dynasty of southern India.

They are one of the longest-ruling dynasty in history.

The earliest references of the Chola dynasty can be traced from Sar

Heartland of the Chola kingdom was the valley of Kaveri River.

— Trade Routes
M Chola Territory
1999 Chola Influence