The Imperial Cholas

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 business flourished. While the North was engaged in its wars, the South remained untouched. This enabled the southern rulers to expand and prosper.
The greatest of the Chola rulers were Maharaja Rajaraja Chola I and his son Rajendra Chola I. Rajaraja was a great administrator and a fierce warrior as well. He is best known for building the great Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur. He conducted efficient land surveys to enhance the productivity of the lands. He held the entire administration in a tight grip.

The Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur

Rajaraja Chola extended the Chola empire beyond the normal limits of Tamil country. Under him, the Chola empire extended from Krishna Godavari basin in the North to Sri Lanka in the South. He defeated a coalition of the Pandyas, Cheras and the Sinhalese. He established a strong navy. He crushed the navy of the Chera King, Bhaskar Ravi Varman. He undertook naval expeditions to Myanmar, Malabar and Lakshadweep. He also destroyed the rebellion of the Sinhalese led by King Mahendra V, in Sri Lanka in 993 CE. He captured Karnataka from the Rashtrakutas in 998 CE. His general, Aprameya defeated the Hoysalas and killed their ministers. Rajaraja Chola's last naval expedition was against the Maldives.

A plan of a Chola Ship

A statue of Maharaja Rajaraja Chola I

Rajaraja Chola was succeeded by his even more capable son, Rajendra Chola I in 1014 CE. Rajendra was a co-reagent in Rajaraja Chola's time. He had already made a reputation as a fierce commander. In military conquests, he surpassed his father. He extended the Chola empire upyog the banks of the River Ganga in North India. He captured Mysore, Raichur and Chalukya territories in the South. He captured Talakad. His most daring plan was the invasion of North India. He undertook an expedition to Sri Lanka and finished his father's unfinished task of conquering Lanka. In the naval expeditions, he enjoyed the benefits of the Chola navy established by Rajaraja Chola.
He defeated the kingdom of Kalinga in Orissa. He gathered a large army and marched with the aim of bringing the waters of the Ganga to the South. He defeated the Pala King, Mahipala who riled Bengal and Bihar. After reaching the Ganga, he assumed the title of Gangaikondacholan. He constructed a new capital city, Gangaikondacholapuram to commemorate his achievements.

Gangaikondacholapuram

Next he turned his attention to South East Asia. He led the largest naval expedition undertook by any Indian. He sailed out in 1025 CE. His naval forces attacked and defeated the Srivijaya kingdom of Indonesia and Sumatra. The king, Sangrama Vijayatunggavarman was captured and the Shailendra dynasty was brought to an end.

Map showing the maximum extended of the Chola empire under Rajendra Chola I.

After the death of Rajendra Chola I, many incompetent rulers followed. The Cholas were losing their hold over South India. The last Great Chola King, Kulottanga Chola III, reinforced the hold of the Cholas by quelling rebellions in Madurai and Lanka. After his death, the empire started disintegrating. Slowly, the Cholas lost control over Sri Lanka, Madurai and Karnataka. The Chalukyas and the Pandyas had grown quite powerful and were gobbling away territories of the Chola empire. The last Chola King, Rajendra Chola III was defeated in 1279 CE. After his death, the Chola empire disintegrated and ceased to exist.
The Cholas have left a great legacy behind. It is evident from the Tamil literary works compiled in their times. The were patrons of arts and musics. The architectural skills of the Chola empire can be seen in the majestic temples of Lord Shiva constructed by then especially the ones at Thanjavur.