A Proud Maratha

The Cholas were one of the strongest and the longest ruling dynasty of South India. Most of the information about the Cholas empire comes from literature of the Sangam Age. They were one of the three crowned kings of Tamilakam and their rule continued up to 13th century CE. Statue of Rajaraja Chola I The Dynasty was established by Vijayalaya Chola who defeated the Pandyas and the Pallavas. He captured Thanjavur and made it his capital. He was succeeded Aditya Chola I. Aditya caused the demise of the Pallavas and inflicted a crushing defeat on the Pandyas of Madurai in 885 CE. Aditya was succeeded by Parantaka Chola I. King Parantaka conquered Sri Lanka and also captured parts of the Kannada territory. Another famous Chola king was Karikalan who is best known for building a great dam, the Grand Anicut on the River Kaveri. The Chola empire was based in Tamil Nadu along the bank's of the mighty Kaveri. The River provided water for irrigation. Agriculture, trade and busines...

Mahmud of Ghazni was the most prominent ruler of Ghaznavid empire. He conquered Eastern Iranian lands, Afghanistan and parts of North Western India. He was born on 2nd November in the year 971 CE. His military career started when he participated in his father's campaigns. In 994 CE, he joined his father Sabuktigin in capturing Khorasan from the rebels of the Samanid empire. He took over his father's kingdom in 998 CE after defeating Ismail of Ghazni. He then captured Kandahar before turning his eyes towards India. He is best known for invading India 17 times. He began his first campaign against India on 28 November 1001, when his armies defeated Raja Jayapal of Kabul at the battle of Peshawar. Jayapal's son, Anandapal, assembled a Confederate army of Indian chiefs. Mahmud defeated this army and captured Lahore and Multan. He captured Bhatinda and turned towards Thaneshwar. He led an unsuccessful campaign against Kashmir which failed. Later he defeated a coalition of I...