Chola Dynasty | Ancient Indian history |

Chola Dynasty (Northern Chola Region)

This was one of the three major states of ancient Dakshinapatha. The other two were - Pandya and Chera (Kerala).

In the inscriptions of Ashoka, this region has been described as an Independent Region.

The residents of Chola region spoke Tamil.

They produced high quality literature in Tamil language.

Kular composed by Thiruvalluvar is an excellent example of this development.

Around 100 AD Karikala was the First ruler of Chola dynasty. He laid the foundation of Puhar or Pugar town and fought against the Sinhalas of Ceylon and constructed a dam on  river Kaveri with the support of Sinhali prisoners of Ceylon war.

He shifted the capital of Cholas from Uragpur (Uruyur) to Kaveripatnam(Puhar).

Chola king Vijayalaya's son and successor Aditya (around 880-907 AD) had defeated the Pallava king Aparajita Verman.

Aditya's son Parantaka-I had completely crushed the power of the Pallavas.

He had also occupied Madurai which was the capital of the Pandyas.

Chol Rajraj I(985AD-1013 AD)

He became all powerful ruler of South India by occupying entire Madras(Chennai), Mysore, Coorg and Sinhala Dweep (Sri Lanka).

He built a Shiva temple named Rajarajeshwara (Brihadeshwara) in his capital Tanjore.

His son and successor Rajendra I (1016 AD - 1044 AD) possessed a strong naval power, had conquered Pengu, Martban and Andaman-Nicobar islands.

He waged a war aganist Mahipala (Pala Dynasty), the ruler of Bengal and Bihar.

His armies crossed Kalinga and reached far off to Ganga by proceeding through (Orissa), Southern Kausal, Bengal and Magadha.

In order to commemorate this victory, he took the title of 'Gangaikonda‘(Conqueror of Ganga).

His son and successor Rajadhiraja (1044 AD-1054 AD) was killed during the battle of Koppam while fighting against Chalukya king Someshwara.

But, Veer Rajendra (1034 AD-1069 AD) defeated the Chalukyas in the battle of KudalSangamam and avenged the earlier defeat.

Soon after, a battle of succession began among the Cholas.

As a result Rajendra Kulottunga -I (1070 AD - 1122 AD) ascended the throne.

Rajendra Kulottunga's mother was a Chola princess and his father was the ruler of Chalukya kingdom.

In this way, Kulottunga founded a new dynasty named Chalukya-Chola dynasty. He ruled for a period of around forty years.

Chola Administration

Chola administration was based on the Gram Panchayat system.

To make administration better, the Chola kingdom was categorised into six provinces, which were known as Mandalam.

Kottam was the sub unit of Mandalam.

Nadu, Kurram, Gram were the sub unit of Kottam.

In inscriptions, the assembly of Nadu has been called Nattar and the units of the town have been called as Nagartar.

Village representatives were regularly appointed every year.

Every Mandalam was fully independent, but there was no Central Legislature present to control the power of the king.

About one-sixth of land produce was received by the king in the form of lagan (land revenue).

This lagan could be paid in the form of grain or gold coins.

The gold coins which were circulated during the Chola period were called 'Kasu' and it weighed 16 ounces (around 454 Grams).

Along with large military power, the Chola kings also possessed a strong naval force.

Chola kings initiated various large irrigation schemes and built many roads.

Chola Art

The Cholas promoted the architectural style of the Pallavas.

Various features of Dravidian architectural style of the Cholas are as follows –

Quadrate Vimanas,

Mandapas,

Gopuras,

large halls adorned with artistic pillars,

traditional lions (Chali) for decoration,

brackets and joint pillars, etc.

The Shiva temple (Rajarajeshwara temple) of Tanjore built by Rajaraja-I is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture.

The system of canals in South India (Bharat) is a gift from Cholas.

Reference:- Rajasthan Board Class 10 Social Science Textbook

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