One of the long dynasties that ruled in the south of the country was the Chola dynasty.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Adi Thiruvathirai Festival on Sunday (July 27) at Gangaakonda Cholpuram Temple in Tamil Nadu. He said that the legacy of Rajaraja and Rajendra Chola of Chola dynasty is synonymous with Indian identity and pride. The legacy and history of the Chola Empire is a symbol of India’s real ability.
He emphasized that this heritage actually inspires the creation of a developed India. He paid tribute to Rajendra Chola, the great ruler of the Chola dynasty. Let us know who established the Chola dynasty and when and how did it collapse?
Vijayalaya established the Chola Empire
One of the long dynasties that ruled in the south of the country was the Chola dynasty. This dynasty was founded by Vijayalaya. In the ninth century, the Vijayalayas took over the Tanjore Empire and established the Chola Empire by defeating the Pallavas. Vijayalaya was the first ruler under the Pallavas. The rule of the Chola dynasty started with the defeat of the Pallava dynasty continued till the 13th century.
After Vijayalaya, Aditya I took power of the Chola dynasty and defeated the Pallava ruler Arajit and made his empire more powerful. Apart from this, by defeating the Vadumbas and Pandya kings, he expanded the Chola Empire instead of the Pallavas.
Chola kings like Aditya Raj and Panthak I highly expanded the Chola Empire in the medieval period. After this, Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola expanded the empire in the Tamil region. Later, Kulotung Chola, by taking control of Kalinga, further strengthened the Chola Empire. Rajendra Chola, the successor of Rajaraja Chola, emerged as a powerful king. Among the Chola kings, Rajendra was the first king to go to the first Ganges coast. He was also called Victor of Ganga. His reign was called the golden age of Cholas.
The Brihadeshwar temple of Tanjore, which was built by the Chola dynasty. Photo: CR Shelare/Moment/Getty Images
Rajaraja Chola first was the great ruler of the Chola dynasty
Among the rulers of Chola dynasty, Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014 AD) is considered one of the greatest rulers. The unprecedented expansion of the Chola Empire took place during Rajaraja’s reign and the Chola Empire became a powerful state in South India. Rajaraja Chola expanded his empire from many states of South India to Sri Lanka and Maldives. Rajaraja Chola was made a strong naval, which helped in the extending of business along with victory in the Indian Ocean. Rajaraja Chola established a skilled administrative system and conducted the empire smoothly.
Incident of coronation in novel and film
Kalki Krishnamurthy composed a great novel based on true incidents related to the coronation of Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola I. It has been named after the title of Ponnayin Selvan, the title of Rajaraja Chola I.
Actually, Aditya was the successor of the Chola dynasty before Rajaraja Chola. He quickly expanded his empire but loved an orphan Nandini. In the era of empire expansion, he was murdered when Aditya Chola’s turn to take the throne. This novel and later the film on it roams around the story of this story and Rajaraja Chola’s throne.
PM Modi worshiping Shiva in Brihaadeshwar temple. Photo: PTI
Lord Bholenath used to worship
Uraiyur was the capital of the Chola ruler Vijayalaya under the Pallavas. Then when the Vijayalaya defeated the Pallavas, he made his capital Tanjore (Tanjavur). Tanjavur emerged prominently in the medieval Chola Empire. Rajendra Chola I also made his capital Gangaakondcholpuram. Lord Bholenath was worshiped during the reign of Cholas. During his reign, three great temples were built in the 11th and 12th centuries. Among them are Brihadeshwar Temple of Tanjore, Brihadeshwar Temple of Gangaakondkolishwaram and Eravateshwar Temple of Darasuram.
The Brihadeshwar temple of Tanjore is known as Dakshina Meru in documents. It was launched by Rajaraj I. It is expected that its construction started in 1003 -1004 and he himself inaugurated it in the 25th year of his reign. Rajendra I built the Gangaakondcholiswaram temple which was completed in the year 1035. The Eravateshwar temple complex of Darasuram was built by Rajraj II.
Pandyas started their empire by defeating the Cholas
In the 13th century, with the rise of the Pandyas, the Chola started getting weaker and in the year 1279 the Chola Empire began to fall. There were many reasons for its collapse. In fact, the latter Chola rulers continued to struggle and conspiracy for succession. Due to this the empire weakened and external forces started taking advantage. Due to this, the Pandya kings attacked the Cholas continuously and defeated the Cholas for the first time in 1215. After this, in the year 1258 AD, King Jatavarman Sundar Pandya I completely gave a spare to the Cholas. Then gradually captured the entire empire and by the end of the 13th century the Chola Empire fell completely and the Pandya Empire came into existence.
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