Rajaraja Chola I
இராஜராஜ சோழன்

Extent of the Chola Empire under Rajaraja the Great c.1014 C.E.
Reign	985 C.E. - 1014 C.E.
Title	Rajakesari
Capital	Thanjavur
Queen	Lokamahadevi Cholamahadevi Trailokyamahadevi Panchavanmahadevi Abhimanavalli Iladamadeviyar Prithivimahadevi
Children	Rajendra Chola I Kundavai Madevadigal
Predecessor	Uttama Chola
Successor	Rajendra Chola I
Father	Sundara Chola
Born	Unknown
Died	1014 C.E.
Tomb	{{{Location of Tomb}}}

Detail of a statue of Rajaraja at Brihadisvara Temple

Rajaraja Chola I was the king of the Chola dynasty, who ruled between 985 and 1014 CE. Rajaraja, the greatest of all the Chola rulers of the Vijayalaya dynasty, laid the foundation for the growth of the Chola kingdom into an empire. Rajaraja conquered the kingdoms of southern India and the Chola Empire expanded as far as Sri Lanka in the south, and Kalinga (Orissa) in the northeast. He fought many battles with the Chalukyas in the north and the Pandyas in the south. By conquering Vengi, Rajaraja laid the foundations for the Chalukya Chola dynasty. He invaded Sri Lanka and started a century long Chola occupation of the island. Image File history File links Rajaraja_territories. ... Events February 14 - Pope Benedict VIII recognizes Henry of Bavaria as King of Germany July 29 - Battle of Kleidion: Basil II inflicts not only a decisive defeat on the Bulgarian army, but his subsequent savage treatment of 15,000 prisoners reportedly causes Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria to die of shock... Events Barcelona sacked by Al-Mansur Greenland colonized by Icelandic Viking Erik the Red (the date is according to legend but has been established as at least approximately correct – see History of Greenland) Lady Wulfruna founded the town that later became the city of Wolverhampton Births Al-Hakim bi... Events February 14 - Pope Benedict VIII recognizes Henry of Bavaria as King of Germany July 29 - Battle of Kleidion: Basil II inflicts not only a decisive defeat on the Bulgarian army, but his subsequent savage treatment of 15,000 prisoners reportedly causes Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria to die of shock... Tanjore redirects here. ... Rajendra Chola I was the son of Rajaraja Chola I, the great Chola king of South India. ... Uttama Chola ascended the Chola throne c. ... Rajendra Chola I was the son of Rajaraja Chola I, the great Chola king of South India. ... Parantak Chola II (957 c. ... Events February 14 - Pope Benedict VIII recognizes Henry of Bavaria as King of Germany July 29 - Battle of Kleidion: Basil II inflicts not only a decisive defeat on the Bulgarian army, but his subsequent savage treatment of 15,000 prisoners reportedly causes Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria to die of shock... Image File history File links Raraja_detail. ... Image File history File links Raraja_detail. ... The Brihadisvara temple (also spelled Brahadeeswarar temple) is an ancient Hindu temple located at Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. ... The Chola dynasty (Tamil: , IPA: Chola pronounced Sola) was a Tamil dynasty that ruled primarily in southern India until the 13th century CE. The dynasty originated in the fertile valley of the Kaveri River. ... The Early Cholas of the pre and post Sangam period (100 C.E. – 200 C.E.) were only the three main kingdoms of the ancient Tamil country. ... Ilamcetcenni was a Chola king during the Sangam age in South India. ... Karikala Chola was the greatest among the Chola kings of the Sangam age in South India. ... Nedunkilli was one of the Early Cholas mentioned in Sangam Literature. ... Nalankilli was one of the Early Cholas mentioned in Sangam Literature. ... Killivalavan was one of the Early Cholas mentioned in Sangam Literature, and of a period close to that of Nedunkilli and Nalankilli. ... Kopperuncholan was one of the Early Cholas mentioned in Sangam Literature. ... Kocengannan was one of the Early Cholas mentioned in Sangam Literature. ... Perunarkilli was one of the Early Cholas mentioned in Sangam Literature. ... Look up Circa on Wiktionary, the free dictionary The Latin word circa, literally meaning about, is often used to describe various dates (often birth and death dates) that are uncertain. ... Medieval Cholas rose to prominence during the middle of the 9th century C.E. and established the greatest empire South India had seen. ... Vijayalaya was the Chola king of South India who captured Thanjavur during c. ... Aditya I (870-906) was an Indian ruler. ... Parantaka Chola I (907 c. ... Gandaraditya Chola succeeded his father Parantaka I and became the Chola king c. ... Arinjaya Chola succeeded Gandaraditya Chola c. ... Parantak Chola II (957 c. ... Uttama Chola ascended the Chola throne c. ... Rajendra Chola I was the son of Rajaraja Chola I, the great Chola king of South India. ... Rajadhiraja Chola I (1018-1054) was the king of the Cholas empire in southern India and the eldest son of king Rajendra Chola I. Although not supreme king untill his fathers death in 1044 he was associated in kingship since 1018 He maintained Cholas authority over most of Lanka, despite... Rajendra Chola II (1054 – 1063 C.E.) reigned as the Chola king succeeding his brother Rajadhiraja Chola. ... Virarajendra Chola (1063 – 1070 C.E.) became the Chola king succeeding his brother Rajendra Chola II. Rajamahendra, Rajendra’s son and heir apparent died before his father and Rajendra made his younger brother Virarajendra his heir. ... Athirajendra Chola ( 1070 C.E.) reigned for a very short period of few months as the Chola king succeeding his brother Virarajendra Chola. ... The Chalukya Chola dynasty ruled the Chola Empire from 1070 C.E. until the demise of the empire in the second half of the 13th century. ... Kulothunga Chola was the offspring of two rival dynasties - the Cholas of Thanjavoor and the Chalukyas of Vengi when he came to the throne in 1070 A.D. The Cholas and the Chalukyas had always existed in constant warfare, spaced by periods of uneasy peace, for decades, due to differences... Vikrama Chola succeeded his father the famous Kulothunga Chola I to the Chola throne in 1120 C.E. He inherited an empire that had been severely confined to the Tamil country and a few out-lying areas of the Telugu country. ... Kulothunga Chola II succeeded his father Vikrama Chola to the Chola throne in 1135 C.E. Vikrama Chola made his heir apparent and coregent in 1133 C.E and so the inscriptions of Kulothunga II count his reign from 1133 C.E. Kulothunga II reigned over a period of general... Rajaraja Chola II succeeded his father Kulothunga Chola II to the Chola throne in 1150 C.E. He was made his heir apparent and coregent in 1146 C.E and so the inscriptions of Rajaraja II count his reign from 1146 C.E. Rajarajas reign began to show signs... Rajadhiraja Chola II (1163 – 1063 C.E.) reigned as the Chola king succeeding Rajaraja Chola II. He was not the direct descendent of Rajaraja Chola II, but a grandson of Vikrama Chola by his dauther. ... Kulothunga Chola III ruled the Chola empire after Rajadhiraja Chola II. His long reign was marked by Kulothungas abilities to bring order in the besieged kingdom and by his successes in reversing the growing weakness. ... Rajaraja Chola III succeeded Kulothunga Chola III on the Chola throne in July 1216 CE. Rajaraja came to the throne of a kingdom much reduced in size as well as influence. ... Rajendra Chola III was the son of Rajaraja Chola III who came to the Chola throne in 1246 CE. Although his father Rajaraja III was still alive, Rajendra began to take effective control over the administration. ... The Chola Government during the imperial period (850 – 1200) CE was marked for its uniqueness and innovativeness. ... Chola Military was one of the most well organised and effective fighting machines of the medieval times. ... Detail of a Statue of Rajaraja Chola I at the Brihadisvara Temple The period of the imperial Cholas (c. ... Chola Literature denotes the literature, mainly in the Tamil language created during the period of Chola reign in south India between the ninth and the thirteenth centuries CE. The age of the imperial Cholas was the most create epoch of the history of South India and was the Golden Age... Poompuhar is a town in the southern part of India in the state of Tamil Nadu. ... Uraiyur: Literally meaning the living place, Uraiyur was an ancient Chola city with a fortress and citywall on the southern banks of river Ponni and was made the official capital of the Chola empire around 540 B.C.E. by Tittan ( henceforth he was called Uraiyur thandha Thiththan). ILancaeN Cenni... Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a village in the inland Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu, India. ... Tanjore redirects here. ... Many Telugu Chola kingdoms held sway over regions to the south of the Krishna River in the period between the seventh and the thirteenth century C.E. Some of them claimed descent from the legendary Karikala Chola (c 100 C.E.). It is not known much about these families or... The Chola dynasty (Tamil: , IPA: Chola pronounced Sola) was a Tamil dynasty that ruled primarily in southern India until the 13th century CE. The dynasty originated in the fertile valley of the Kaveri River. ... Kalinga in 265 B.C. Kalinga was an ancient Indo-Aryan kingdom of central-eastern India, in the province of Orissa. ... Orissa   (Devanagari: उड़ीसा) is a state situated in the east coast of India. ... // Vengi dynasties Vengi kingdom extended from River Godavari in the north to Mount MahendraGiri in the southeast and to just below the southern banks of River Krishna in the south. ... The Chalukya Chola dynasty ruled the Chola Empire from 1070 C.E. until the demise of the empire in the second half of the 13th century. ...

He streamlined the administrative system in the country with the division of the country into various districts and by standardising revenue collection through systematic land surveys. He built the magnificent Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur and through it enabled wealth distribution amongst his subjects. His successes enabled the splendid achievements of his son Rajendra Chola I under whom the empire attained the greatest extent and carried its conquest beyond the seas. The Brihadisvara temple (also spelled Brahadeeswarar temple) is an ancient Hindu temple located at Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. ... Tanjore redirects here. ... Rajendra Chola I was the son of Rajaraja Chola I, the great Chola king of South India. ...

Popular Prince

Rajaraja was the third child of Parantaka Sundara Chola and Vanavan Mahadevi. Rajaraja was also known by his birth name Arulmozhivarman came to the throne at the death of Uttama Chola after a long apprenticeship of a heir apparent. During the lifetime of his father Sundara Chola, Arulmozhi had carved a name for himself by his exploits in the battles against the Sinhala and Pandyan armies. Sundara Chola’s eldest son and heir apparent Aditya II was assassinated in a conspiracy possibly hatched by Uttama Chola. Uttama, as the only child of Gandaraditya, wanted the Chola throne as he felt it was his birthright. After the death of Aditya II, Uttama forced Sundara Chola to declare himself heir apparent ahead of the popular Arulmozhi. Thiruvalangadu copper-plate inscriptions say: Parantak Chola II (957 c. ... Uttama Chola ascended the Chola throne c. ... The Pandyan kingdom was an ancient state at the tip of South India, founded around the 6th century BCE. It was part of the Dravidian cultural area, which also comprised other kingdoms such as that of the Pallava, the Chera, the Chola, the Chalukya and the Vijayanagara. ... Aditya Karikalan was a legendary warrior from South India. ...

"…Though his subjects…entreated Arulmozhivarman, he…did not desire the kingdom for himself even inwardly as long as his paternal uncle coveted[it]…".

Uttama made a compromise deal with Sundara Chola that Uttama will be succeeded not by his son but by Arulmozhi. Thiruvalangadu inscription again states:

"Having noticed by the marks (on his body) that Arulmozhi was the very Vishnu, the protector of the three worlds, descended on earth, [Uttama] installed him in the position of yuvaraja (heir apparent) and himself bore the burn of ruling the earth…"

Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari , with honorific Shri Vishnu; , ), (also frequently referred to as Narayana) is the most popularly worshipped form of God in Hinduism [1]. Within the Vaishnava tradition he is viewed as the Ultimate Reality or Supreme God (similarly to Shiva within Shaivism). ...

Military Conquests

Southern Wars

The southern kingdoms of Pandyas, Cheras and the Singhalas were often allied against the Cholas. It was the case when Rajaraja came to the throne. Rajaraja’s initial campaigns were against the combined Pandya and Chera armies. There is no evidence of any military campaign undertaken by Rajara until the eighth year of his reign. During this period he was probably engaged in recruiting an efficient army and otherwise preparing himself for the struggle, which he must have thought he should undertake before the Chola power and prestige could be restored. The Pandyan kingdom was an ancient state at the tip of South India, founded around the 6th century BCE. It was part of the Dravidian cultural area, which also comprised other kingdoms such as that of the Pallava, the Chera, the Chola, the Chalukya and the Vijayanagara. ... The Cheras were one of the three ancient Tamil dynasties who ruled the southern tip of the peninsula of India for most of its early history. ... The recorded History of Sri Lanka is usually taken to begin in the 6th century BCE, when the Indo-Aryan people migrated into the island from India. ...

Kandalur Salai

The very first military achievement of Rajaraja’s reign was the campaign in the Kerala country c 994 C.E.. Rajaraja’s early inscriptions use the descriptive ‘Kandalur salai kalamarutta’ (காந்தளுர் சாலைக் களமறுத்த). In this campaign Rajaraja is said to have destroyed a fleet in the port of Kandalur, which appears to have been situated in the dominions of the Chera King Bhaskara Ravi Varman Thiruvadi (c. 978 – 1036 C.E.). Inscriptions found around Thanjavur show that frequent references are made to the conquest of the Chera king and the Pandyas in Malai-nadu (the west coast of South India). Kandalur-Salai, which is stated to belong to the Chera king in later inscriptions, was probably held by the Pandyas when it was conquered by Rajaraja. Some years’ fighting apparently was necessary before the conquest could be completed and the conquered country could be sufficiently settled for its administration could be properly organised. In the war against the Pandyas Rajaraja seized the Pandya king Amarabhujanga and the Chola general captured the port of Virinam. To commomorate these conquests Rajaraja assumed the title Mummudi-Chola, (the Chola king who wears three crowns - the Chera, Chola and Pandya).   (IPA: ; ) is a state on the Western Coast of south-western India. ... Events Otto III reaches his majority and begins to rule Germany in his own right. ... Events Badìa Fiorentina, an abbey in Italy, is founded by Willa, Margravine of Tuscany. ... Events Emperor Go-Suzaku ascends the throne of Japan. ... South India is a linguistic-cultural region of India that comprises the four Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Pondicherry, whose inhabitants are collectively referred to as South Indians. ...

Malai Nadu

In a battle against the Cheras sometime before 1008 C.E., Rajaraja stormed and captured Udagai in the western hill country. Kalingattuparani, a war poem written during the reign of Kulothunga Chola I hints at a slight on the Chola ambassador to the Chera court as the reason for this sacking of Udagai. Rajaraja’s son Rajendra was the Chola general leading the army in this battle. The Tamil poem Vikkirama Cholan ula evidently refers to the reign of Rajaraja when it mentions the conquest of Malai nadu and the killing of 18 princes in retaliation of the insult offered to an envoy. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Kulothunga Chola was the offspring of two rival dynasties - the Cholas of Thanjavoor and the Chalukyas of Vengi when he came to the throne in 1070 A.D. The Cholas and the Chalukyas had always existed in constant warfare, spaced by periods of uneasy peace, for decades, due to differences...

Invasion of Lanka

To eliminate the remaining actor in the triumvirate, Rajaraja invaded Sri Lanka in 993 C.E. The copper-plate inscription mention that Rajaraja’s powerful army crossed the ocean by ships and burnt up the king of Lanka. Mahinda V was the king of Sinhalas. C. 991C.E. Mahinda’s army mutinied with help from mercenaries from Keralas. Mahinda had to seek refuge in the hill country of Rohana. Rajaraja utilised this opportunity and invaded the island. Chola armies occupied the northern half of Lanka and named the dominion ‘Mummudi Chola Mandalam’. Anuradhapura, the 1000-year-old capital of Sinhala kings was destroyed. The destruction was so extensive the city was abandoned. Cholas made the city of Polonnaruwa as their capital and renamed it Jananathamangalam. The choice of this city demonstrates the desire of Rajaraja to conquer the entire island. Rajaraja also built a Temple for Siva in Pollonaruwa. Anuradhapura, (අනුරාධපුර in Sinhala), is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, world famous for its well preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization. ... The second most ancient of Sri Lankas kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 CE to reunite the country once more under a local leader. ... This article is about the Hindu God. ...

Northern Wars

Rajaraja also expanded his conquests in the north and northwest. The regions of Gangapadi, Nolambapadi, Tadigaipadi came into Chola possession during Rajaraja.

Mural found in the Brihadeesvara temple, Tamil Nadu, 11th century. The claims that this represents Rajaraja Chola (in the background) and his guru Karuvurar have not been scientifically proven.

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (401x858, 104 KB) Summary King Rajaraja Chola and guru (teacher) Karuvurar, Brihadeesvara temple, Tamil Nadu, 11th century. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (401x858, 104 KB) Summary King Rajaraja Chola and guru (teacher) Karuvurar, Brihadeesvara temple, Tamil Nadu, 11th century. ...

Ganga Wars

Before his 14th year c. 998 – 999 C.E., Rajaraja conquered Gangapadi and Nurambapadi, which formed part of the present Karnataka State. This conquest was facilitated by the fact the Cholas never lost their hold of the Ganga country from the efforts of Sundara Chola. Nolambas where were the feudatories of Ganga could have turned against their overlords and adided the Cholas to conquer the Gangas, who were the chief bulwark against the Chola armies in the northwest. Events Benedictine abbey founded at Sherborne Births Deaths Abul-Wafa, iranian mathematician Categories: 998 ... Events Silesia is incorporated into territory ruled by Boleslaus I of Poland Pope Silvester II succeeds Pope Gregory V Sigmundur Brestisson introduces christianity in the Faroe Islands Deaths December 16 - Saint Adelaide of Italy (b. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ...

The invasion of the Ganga country was a complete success and the entire Ganga country was under the Chola rule for next century. The easy success against the Gangas was also due to the disappearance of Rashtrakutas c. 973 C.E. as they were conquered by the western Chalukyas. From this time, Chalukyas became the main antagonists of Cholas in the northwest. The Rashtrakutas were a dynasty which ruled the Deccan during the 8th-10th centuries. ... Events Edgar of England is crowned king by Saint Dunstan Births September 15 - Al_Biruni, mathematician († 1048) Abu al-Ala al-Maarri, poet Deaths May 7 - Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor Categories: 973 ... The Chalukya dynasty (Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು) was a powerful Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th century C.E. They began to assert their independence at the decline of the Satavahana empire and rapidly rose to prominence during the reign of...

Western Chalukya Wars

C. 996 C.E. Satyasraya became the Chalukya king. Events March/April - Pope John XV dies before being being able to coronate Otto III, King of Germany as Holy Roman Emperor. ... Satyasraya (997 – 1008 C.E.) was the Chalukya king of the revived Western Chalukyas. ...

The circumstances that led to the war with the Chalukya king Satyasraya are not clear. The conquest of Gangapadi and Nulambapadi must have brought the Cholas into direct contact with the Western Chalukyas. Both the Cholas and the Western Chalukyas were powerful and strong and must have been looking for an opportunity to measure their respective strength. Under these circumstances any slight cause would have been enough to provoke a quarrel. Also, the Chalukyas were being pressed from the north by the hostile Paramaras of Malwa and must have found it difficult to sustain against themselves against two powerful enemies attacking from two opposite directions. Malwa (Malvi:माळवा) is a region in western India occupying a plateau of volcanic origin in the western part of Madhya Pradesh state and the south-eastern part of Rajasthan. ...

An inscription of Rajaraja from c. 1003 C.E. asserts that he captured by force Rattapadi. Rajendra led the Chola armies against the Western Chalukyas. According to the Hottur inscriptions of Satyasraya, dated 1007 – 1008 C.E., the Chola king with a force numbering nine hundred thousand had ‘pillaged the whole country, had slaughtered the women, the children and the Brahmans, and, taking the girls to wife, had destroyed their caste’. Rajaraja’s inscriptions indicate that the Chola army elephants wrought havoc on the banks of the river Tungabhadra. Rajaraja however could not capture the Western Chalukya capital Manyakheta. Though overwhelmed by the strength and rapidity of the Chola advance Satyasraya soon recovered and by hard fighting rolled back the invasion. Events Sweyn I of Denmark begins his first invasion of England. ... Aethelred buys two years of peace with the Danes for 36,000 pounds of silver. ... Events Olof, king of Sweden, is baptized. ... The Tungabhadra is a river of southern India. ...

Rajaraja evidently attached much importance to his victory over Satyasraya, as he is said to have presented gold flowers to the Rajarajesvara temple on his return from the expedition. At the end of this war the southern banks of the Thungabadhra river became the frontier between these two empires.

War against Vengi

The Eastern Chalukya dynasty came into existence when Chalukya Pulakesi II conquered Vengi and installed his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana as the king c 624 C.E. During the next three centuries of rule, marked by many wars with the Rashtrakutas, the dynasty had become old and dysfunctional. It was also falling prey to disputed successions and anarchy. Although the Western Chalukyan Satyasraya tried to amalgamate the two dynasties, he was not successful due to the constant battles with the Paramaras and the Cholas. Eastern Chalukyas were a South Indian dynasty whose kingdom was located in the present day Andhra Pradesh. ... The Chalukya dynasty (Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು) was a powerful Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th century C.E. They began to assert their independence at the decline of the Satavahana empire and rapidly rose to prominence during the reign of... PULAKESI II (C.610-642 A.D.): Pulakesi II ascended the throne in C.610 A. D., and he has been rightly regarded as the ablest monarch in the Chalukyan line. ... Kubja Vishnuvardhana (624 – 641 C.E.) was the brother of Chalukya Pulakesi II. Vishnuvardhana ruled the Vengi territories in the eastern Andhra Pradesh as the viceroy under Pulakesi II from around 615 CE. Eventually Vishnuvardhana declared his independence and started the Eastern Chalukya dynasty (c. ... Events Justus becomes Archbishop of Canterbury. ...

Rajaraja, who aimed at capturing every province that had ever been held by Parantaka I and extend the empire still further, sent a northern expedition early in his reign. However the actual invasion of Vengi must have occurred at a later date than this expedition. Perhaps the interference of Satyasraya in the Vengi kingdom was the trigger. Parantaka Chola I (907 c. ...

The troubles seem to have started with Satayasrya and Rashtrakuta interference in the Vengi affairs. To counter the rising influence of the Western Chalukyas’ Rajaraja supported Saktivarman I, an Eastern Chalukya prince who was in exile in the Chola coutry after the throne was usurped by a minor Rashtrakuta king. Eastern Chalukyas were a South Indian dynasty whose kingdom was located in the present day Andhra Pradesh. ...

Rajaraja invade Vengi in 999 C.E. to restore Saktivarman to the Eastern Chalukya throne. After many hard battles Saktivarman finally found his position secure on the throne in 1002 C.E. Saktivarman, recognising that he owed everything to Rajaraja, consented to recognise the Chola overlordship. Events Silesia is incorporated into territory ruled by Boleslaus I of Poland Pope Silvester II succeeds Pope Gregory V Sigmundur Brestisson introduces christianity in the Faroe Islands Deaths December 16 - Saint Adelaide of Italy (b. ... Eastern Chalukyas were a South Indian dynasty whose kingdom was located in the present day Andhra Pradesh. ... Events November 13 - English king Ethelred gives order to kill all Danes in England, leading to the St. ...

Origins of the Chalukya Chola dynasty

Even after conquering Vengi, Rajaraja did not bring the Eastern Chalukya kingdom under direct Chola rule. The Vengi kingdom did not become an integral part of the Chola Empire. Unlike the Pandyan and Chera territories, Eastern Chalukyas maintained an independent political existence and remained as a Chola protectorate. A dynastic marriage between the Vengi prince Vimaladitya and Rajaraja’s daughter Kundavai sealed the alliance between the two ruling families. Eastern Chalukyas were a South Indian dynasty whose kingdom was located in the present day Andhra Pradesh. ...

Kalinga conquest

The invasion of the kingdom of Kalinga must have occurred subsequent to the conquest of Vengi. Rajendra Chola, as the commander of the Chola forces invaded and defeated the Andhra king Bhima. Andhra Pradesh (ఆంధర దేశం), a state in South India, lies between 12°41 and 22°N latitude and 77° and 84°40E longitude . ...

Naval Conquests

Detail of the main gopura (tower) of the Thanjavur Temple

One of the last conquests of Rajaraja was the naval conquest of the ‘old islands of the sea numbering 12,000’, the Maldives. We have no further details regarding this expedition, however this is a sufficient indication of the abilities of the Chola Navy, which was utilised so effectively under Rajendra I. Chola Navy also had played a major role in the invasion of Lanka. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (587x900, 70 KB) Summary Detail of the main Vimanam (Tower) of the Great Temple at Thanjavur Licensing The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (587x900, 70 KB) Summary Detail of the main Vimanam (Tower) of the Great Temple at Thanjavur Licensing The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with...

The increasing realisation of the importance of a good Navy and the desire to neutralise the emerging Chera Naval power were probably the reasons for the Kandalur campaign in the early days of Rajaraja’s reign.

Nagapattinam on the Bay of Bengal was the main port of the Cholas and could have been the navy headquarters. Nagapattinam (formerly known as Negapatam and also as Shiva Rajadhani) is a small city with a population of about 100,000, located in coastal Tamil Nadu, India. ...

Thanjavur Temple

Main article: Brihadisvara Temple

Rajaraja’s great reign is commemorated by the magnificent Siva temple in Thanjavur, the finest monument of a splendid period of South Indian history and the most beautiful specimen of Tamil architecture at its best. The temple is remarkable alike for its stupendous proportions and for the simplicity of its design. We have no authentic information as to how the colossal labour involved in transporting the huge blocks of granite over great distances was managed, and how the technical problems involved in raising them to their positions, were met. The Brihadisvara temple (also spelled Brahadeeswarar temple) is an ancient Hindu temple located at Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. ... Tanjore redirects here. ...

This great enterprise drew to completion on the 275th day of the 25th year of his reign. After its commemoration the great temple and the capital had close business relations with the rest of the country. Year after year villages from all over the country had to supply men and material for the temple maintenance.

Administration

Gold Madai coin of Rajaraja I

From the 23rd to the 29th year of Rajaraja’s rule his dominions enjoyed peace and the king apparently devoted his energies to the task of internal administration. The building of the Rajarajesvara temple in Thanjavur and the various endowments and gifts to it must have occupied a prominent place in the king’s mind during these years. Image File history File links Rajaraja_coin. ... Image File history File links Rajaraja_coin. ...

Rajaraja carried out a revenue and settlement during the final years of his reign. Inscriptions found in the Thanjavur temple bear testimony to the accuracy of this operation. Land as small in extent as 1/52,428,800,000 of a ‘veli’ (a land measure) was measured and assessed to revenue. The revenue survey enabled for the confiscation of lands of the defaulting landlords.

Rajaraja also perfected the administrative organization by creating a strong and centralised machinery and by appointing local government authorities. He installed a system of audit and control by which the village assemblies and other public bodies were held to account while not curtailing their autonomy.

Military Organisation

Rajaraja created a powerful standing army and a considerable navy which achieved even greater success under Rajendra than under himself. The prominence given to the army from the conquest of the Pandyas down to the last year of the king’s reign is significant, and shows the spirit with which he treated his soldiers. Evidently Rajaraja gave his army its due share in the glory derived from his extensive conquests. A number of regiments are mentioned in the Tanjore inscriptions.

In most of the foregoing names the first portion appears to be the surnames or titles of the king himself or of his son. That these regiments should have been called after the king or his son shows the attachment, which the Chola king bore towards his army.

It may not be unreasonable to suppose that these royal names were pre-fixed to the designations of these regiments after they had distinguished themselves in some engagement or other. It is worthy of note that there are elephant troops, cavalry and foot soldiers among these regiments. To some of these regiments, the management of certain minor shrines of the temple was entrusted and they were expected to provide for the requirements of the shrine. Others among them took money from the temple on interest, which they agreed to pay in cash. We are not, however, told to what productive purpose they applied this money. At any rate all these transactions show that the king created in them an interest in the temple he built.

Officials and Feudatories

Rajendra Chola was made co-regent during the last years of Rajaraja’s rule. He was also the Mahadandanayaka Panchavan Maharaya – supreme commander- of the northern and northwestern dominions.

Paluvettaraiyars from the region of Thiruchirapalli were closely associated with the Cholas from the time of Parantaka I when he married a Paluvettaraiyar princess, were occupying a high position in the Chola administration. They were apparently enjoying full responsibility and administration of the region of Paluvur. One of the names of these feudal chieftains found in inscriptions were Adigal Paluvettaraiyar Kandan Maravan. Parantaka Chola I (907 c. ...

Gandaraditya’s son Madurantakan Gandaradityan served in Rajaraja’s court as an important official in the department of temple affairs. He conducted enquiries into temple affairs in various parts of the country, punishing defaulters. Gandaraditya Chola succeeded his father Parantaka I and became the Chola king c. ...

The other names of officials found in the inscriptions are the Bana prince Maravan Narasimhavarman, a general Senapathi Sri Krishnan Raman, the revenue official Irayiravan Pallavarayan and Kuruvan Ulagalandan who organised the country-wide land surveys.

Standardised Inscriptions

Example of a typical lithic inscription of the Chola period

We owe Rajaraja the desire on his part to record his military achievements in every one of his inscriptions and thus had down to posterity some of the important events of his life. As far as we know at present Rajaraja was the first king of South India to introduce this innovation into his inscriptions. Before his time powerful kings of the Pallava, Pandya and Chola dynasties had reigned in the South, and some of them had made extensive conquests. But none of them seems to have thought of leaving a record on stone of his military achievements. Image File history File links Chola_inscriptions. ... Image File history File links Chola_inscriptions. ...

The idea of Rajaraja to add a short account of his military achievements at the beginning of every one of his inscriptions was entirely his own. His action in this respect is all the more laudable because his successors evidently followed his example and have left us more or less complete records of their conquests. But for the historical introductions, which are often found at the beginning of the Tamil inscriptions of Chola, kings the lithic records of the Tamil country would be of very little value, and consequently even the little advance that has been made in elucidating the history of Southern India would have been well nigh impossible.

The following is an example of the prologue (known as the Meikeerthi) from an inscription by Rajaraja:

ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ் திருமகள் போல பெருநிலச் செல்வியுந் தனக்கேயுரிமை பூண்டமை மனக்கொளக் காந்தளூர்ச் சாலைக் களமறூத்தருளி வேங்கை நாடும் கங்கைபாடியும் நுளம்பபாடியும் தடிகை பாடியும் குடமலை நாடும் கொல்லமும் கலிங்கமும் எண்டிசை புகழ்தர ஈழ மண்டலமும் இரட்டபாடி ஏழரை இலக்கமும் திண்டிறல் வென்றி தண்டால் கொண்டதன் பொழில் வளர் ஊழியுள் எல்லா யாண்டிலும் தொழுதகை விளங்கும் யாண்டே செழிஞரை தேசுகொள் ஸ்ரீ்கோவிராஜராஜகேசரி பந்மரான ஸ்ரீராஜராஜ தேவர்

Early Tamil records are dated not in the Saka or any other well-known era but in the regnal year of the king to whose time the grants belong, and palaeography is not always a very safe guide in South-Indian history. With the help of the names of contemporary kings of other dynasties mentioned in the historical introductions of the Tamil inscriptions, it has been possible to fix the approximate dates of most of the Chola kings. Consequently, the service, which Rajaraja has rendered to epigraphists in introducing a brief account of his military achievements at the beginning of his stone inscriptions, cannot be overestimated. The Shalivahana era, also known as the Saka era, is used with Hindu calendars, the Indian national calendar, and the Cambodian Buddhist calendar—its year zero begins near the vernal equinox of 78. ... Palaeography (British) or paleography (American) (from the Greek palaiós, old and graphein, to write) is the study of ancient and medieval manuscripts, independent of the language (Koine Greek, Classical Latin, Medieval Latin, Old English, etc. ... Epigraphy (Greek, επιγραφή - written upon) is the study of inscriptions engraved into stone or other permanent materials, or cast in metal, the science of classifying them as to cultural context and date, elucidating them and assessing what conclusions can be deduced from them. ...

The historical side of Rajaraja’s intellectual nature is further manifested in the order, which he issued to have all the grants made to the Thanjavur temple engraved on stone. Rajaraja not only was particular about recording his achievements, but also was equally diligent in preserving the records of his predecessors. For instance, an inscription of his reign found at Tirumalavadi near Thruchi records an order of the king to the effect that the central shrine of the Vaidyanatha temple at the place should be rebuilt and that, before pulling down the walls, the inscriptions engraved on them should be copied in a book. The records were subsequently re-engraved on the walls from the book after the rebuilding was finished.

Religious Policy

An ardent follower of Siva, Rajaraja was nevertheless tolerant towards other faiths and creeds. He also had several temples for Vishnu constructed. He also encouraged the construction of the Buddhist Chudamani Vihara at the request of the Srivijaya king Sri Maravijayatungavarman. Rajaraja dedicated the proceeds of the revenue from the village of Anaimangalam towards the upkeep of this Vihara. This article is about the Hindu God. ... Chudamani Vihara constructed in 1006 CE, flourished at Nagapattinam for several centuries. ... Map of Southeast Asia at end of 12th century. ...

Personal Life and Family

While we know a lot about Rajaraja’s political and military achievements, we have no authentic description of the king himself. No eyewitness has left a portrait of the king. There is not even an authentic statue or painting of Rajaraja. All that we know of his reign, and that is not little attests to his potent personality and the firm grasp of his intellect.

Rajaraja was born Arunmolivarman and was the third child of Parantaka Sundara Chola. His elder brother Aditya II was assassinated c. 969 C.E. Rajaraja must have spend a lot of time in the company of Kundavai, his elder sister and must have much admired her. Kundavai married Vandiyadevar who was a Bana prince. Kundavai spent her later life in Tanjore with her younger brother and she even survived him. We may suppose that Rajaraja entertained a high regard for her and that she exercised considerable influence over him and contributed in no small degree to the formation of his character. Aditya Karikalan was a legendary warrior from South India. ... Events December 11 - John I becomes Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire. ...

The affection he lavished on Kundavai, after whom he named one of his daughters, and the privileged position accorded to his grand-aunt Sembiyanmahadevi, the mother of Uttama Chola indicate that he was a great human and good man as well as a far sighted ruler. Uttama Chola ascended the Chola throne c. ...

Rajaraja had a number of wives, but apparently only a few children. Vanavanmahadevi, Lokamahadevi, Cholamahadevi, Trailokyamahadevi, Panchavanmahadevi, Abhimanavalli, Iladamadeviyar (Latamahadevi) and Prithivimahadevi are known from the Tanjore Temple inscriptions. Panchavanmahadevi assisted Rajaraja in day-to-day decision makings in the rule. Each of them set up a number of images in the Rajarajesvara temple and made gifts to them. Lokamahadevi was probably the chief queen. She built the shrine called Uttara-Kailasa in the Panchanadesvara temple at Tiruvaiyaru near Thanjavur and made many gifts to it. The shrine was in existence already in the 21st year of the king’s reign and was then called Lokamahadevisvara after the queen.

The mother of Rajendra I, the only known son of Rajaraja, was VanavanMahaDevi, Princess of Veelir. Rajaraja must have had at least three daughters of whom the names of two are known: Kundavi, who married the Eastern Chalukya prince Vimaladitya and the second daughter Madevadigal, who embraced buddhism and did not marry. Rajaraja died in 1014 C.E. at and was succeeded by Rajendra Chola I. Events February 14 - Pope Benedict VIII recognizes Henry of Bavaria as King of Germany July 29 - Battle of Kleidion: Basil II inflicts not only a decisive defeat on the Bulgarian army, but his subsequent savage treatment of 15,000 prisoners reportedly causes Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria to die of shock... Rajendra Chola I was the son of Rajaraja Chola I, the great Chola king of South India. ...

References in Popular Tamil Fiction

1. Rajaraja Cholan - Drama, written by Kalaimamani Aru. Ramanathan, called as Kathal Ramanathan. (TKS Group made numerous Stage Shows on this Drama and later it was taken as Movie acted by Shivaji Ganesan). This Drama as a book Published by Prema Pirasuram,Chennai-24. is made as a Study Material in South Indian Universities.
2. Arulmozhivarman, is the hero of Kalki Krishnamurthy’s historical Romance Ponniyin Selvan. The heart of the story revolves around the mysteries surrounding the assassination of Aditya II and the subsequent accession of Uttama to the Chola throne. Kalki imagines Arulmozhi sacrificing his rightful claim to the throne by crowning Uttama during his own coronation.
3. Balakumaran has also written the story Udaiyar based on the life of Rajaraja chola. While Kalki's novel describes his life at his youth at the time of the death of Aditya Karikala, Balakumaran deals with Rajaraja Chola's life after he becomes the emperor.
4. Sujatha wrote a novel "Kandalur Vasanthakumaran Kathai", which deals with the situations leading to his war at the Kandhalur, a sea port.

Ganesan in Thayaipola Pillai Noolaipola Selai, 1959 Sivaji Ganesan (October 1, 1927 - July 21, 2001) was a famous Indian actor and politician. ... Kalki R Krishnamurthy (1899 - 1954) Kalki is the pen name of Krishnamurthy (September 9, 1899 - December 5, 1954), freedom fighter, novelist, short story writer, journalist, satirist, travel writer, script-writer, poet, critic and connoisseur of the arts. ... Ponniyin Selvan (பொன்னியின் செல்வன், The Son of Ponni) is a famous 20th-century Tamil historical novel written by Kalki Krishnamurthy. ... Aditya Karikalan was a Chola prince who lived in the tenth century in South India. ... According to Tiruvalangadu plates Parakesari Uththama Chola ruled the Chola kingdom from 969 to 985. ... Kalki R Krishnamurthy (1899 - 1954) Kalki is the pen name of Krishnamurthy (September 9, 1899 - December 5, 1954), freedom fighter, novelist, short story writer, journalist, satirist, travel writer, script-writer, poet, critic and connoisseur of the arts. ... Balakumaran is a Tamil author. ... Udaiyar is tamil novel written by the famous tamil writer Balakumaran and is written in six volumes. ... Sujatha (b. ...

References

• Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. (1935). The CōĻas, University of Madras, Madras (Reprinted 1984).
• Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. (1955). A History of South India, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002).
• South Indian Inscriptions