Mediaeval India: South India and the Cholas

Chapter: 7 – History

Notes:

Kerala & Near- by areas – Cheras

Southern most Tamil Nadu – Pandayas

Area near Kaveri region – Cholas

Nearby areas of Chennai – Pallavas

3rd to 9th CE no records present for Cholas (Dark Period of Cholas)

The Cholas became prominent in the 9th century with their capital at Tanjore and established an Empire
comprising the major portion of the South India. They also extended their influence to Sri Lanka,
Maldives and Malay Peninsula. Hence, they are called as Imperial Cholas.
Medieval: The term ‘medieval’ is used in history to indicate a ‘stage’ in the development of civilization
and not merely an ‘age’ or division of time. We take 8th century A.D. as its beginning and the 18th
century A.D. as the end of medieval period of Indian history. This is so because many changes took place
in the Indian society in about the eighth century, which greatly influenced political and economic
conditions, social laws, religion, language and art, which thus, indicated a new stage in Indian history.

South India & the Cholas: The Cholas were perhaps the most ancient ruling dynasty of Southern India.
Their existence has been mentioned in the Mahabharata as a Chola king is supposed to have taken part
in the battle of Mahabharata. The Cholas have also been mentioned in the edicts of Ashoka and in
Megasthenes’ account of India i.e., Indika. Later, the Sangam literature and the Greek work ‘The
Periplus’ speak of Chola rulers and their Kingdom. The Chola Kingdom at its heights covered practically
the whole of modern Tamil Nadu, a part of Karnataka State and some areas on the Malabar Coast.

Vijayalaya: The founder of the Chola Empire was Vijayalaya, who was first feudatory of the Pallavas of
Ii. He from Muttaraiyars in 815 CE & established a temple of goddess Nishumbhasudini (Durga) there.

Aditya I succeeded Vijayalaya. Aditya helped his overlord the Pallava king Aparajita against the Pandyas
but soon defeated him and annexed the whole of the Pallava kingdom.

Parantaka I succeeded Aditya I and expanded the Chola Kingdom by capturing Madurai from the
Pandyas ruler Rajasimha II and assumed the title Maduraikonda.

Parantaka II The revival of the Chola Kingdom began from the reign of Parantaka II, who reestablished
the dominance of the dynasty.

Raja Raja Chola I: Chola Kingdom gained its supremacy when Raja Raja I ascended the throne in 985 CE.
Under him the chola Empire give into a well- knit, organised and extensive empire possessing a strong
standing army and navy.

1. He defeated the Chehra ruler Bhaskararaviraman in the battle of Kandalur Salai.

2. He established the Chola authority over the Pandyas by defeating its ruler Amarbhujanga.
3. He conquered Gangavadi, Tadigaipadi & Nolambapadi of the Mysore region.
4. He invaded Sri Lanka and captured the northern part of it by defeating the Sri Lankan ruler
Mahendra V.
5. The Cholas emerged victorious against the Western Chalukyas of Kalyani during the reign of Raja
Raja I.
6. Raja Raja I also succeeded in capturing the Raichur doab.
7. He also captured the Vengi throne.
8. Raja Raja’s last military expedition was against the Maldives Island which was conquered by him.
9. He also completed the construction of the famous Rajarajeshwara temple or the Brihadeshwara
temple at Tanjore in 1010 CE.
10. He also helped in the construction of a Buddhist monastery in Nagapattinam.

Rajendra Chola I: Rajendra I succeeded his father Raja Raja I in 1014 CE. He had put down all his
rebellions and the Chola Empire was at its peak during the time of his death.
 1. Rajendra defeated the king of Sri Lanka Mahendra V, who attempted to recover the northern
part of Ceylon from the Cholas.
2. He seized the southern Srilanka too, because of which the whole of Srilanka came under the
control of Cholas.
3. He reasserted the authority of Cholas over the Pandyas and the Cheras.
4. He defeated the western Chalukya ruler Jaiasimha II and thus river Tungabhadra was accepted
as the boundary between the the Chalukyas and the Cholas.
5. In one of his campaigns in the north, he defeated the ruler of Bengal Mahipala I and thus
assumed the title of “Gangaikonda” and build a new capital Gangaikonda Cholapuram in 1022
CE.
6. He also constructed the famous Rajeshwaram temple in his capital.
7. He invaded the Malay Peninsula and Sri Vijaya Empire that had control on Sumatra, Java and the
neighbouring Islands and thus controlled the overseas trade route to China.

Sources of Information: A very large number of inscriptions of the Chola Period have been found from
almost all parts of Tamil Nadu and adjoining regions.

There are two kinds of inscriptions:

1. Those inscribed on stone, generally on temple walls.

2. Second is the copper plate inscription recording grants of land and other donations.
• Epigraphical records: The Anbil Plate inscription of Sundara Chola and the Kanyakumari
Inscription of Vira Rajendra Chola give the family tree of the Chola kings.
• In an inscription of Rajaraja in the brihadeshwara temple, we learn of a receiver of 48 cows,
who had to supply ghee to light the lamp in the temple.
• One of the earliest inscriptions of Rajendra Chola is found in the temple of Chandeshwar in
Tamil country.
• In the Tiruchirapalli inscriptions a dynasty of feudal chiefs is frequently mentioned.
• Certain inscriptions of Rajaraja I have been discovered, encouraging learning in the Chola
Empire.
• The Chingleput inscription gives an account of the northernmost extent of the Chola Kingdom.

Brihadeswara Temple or the Rajarajeshwara Temple

This temple was constructed by Rajaraja I in AD 1010, at Tanjore. This temple of lord Shiva has been
accepted as the UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.
Architectural features of the Brihadeshwara temple:

1. The platform on which the temple is built is 5 m high.

2. The outer walls of the temple are built like a fort having a deep moat surrounding it.
3. There are two entrances to the temple i.e., first is the five storey gopuram and the second is the
free standing gopuram to which people reach through a quadrangle.
4. Vimanam of the Shikhara of the temple is about 66m high.
5. The centre of the temple has a statue of Nandi Bull.
6. There are two halls in the temple also called Mandapas.
7. The walls of the temple have inscriptions relating the origin, construction and endorsements of
the temple.
8. The Kalash structure on the top of the temple is carved out of a single stone weighing 80 tons.

Administration of Chola Empire:

Central Administration:-

Position of the King-

1. The king was the head of the administration.

2. The king maintained the large imperial household of family members, relatives, servants,
dancers, officials, etc.
3. The order of the King to the officials and to the people were hung up on temple walls.
4. The king had to keep in mind the old customs and traditions when issuing the royal decrees.

Minister & Officials-

 1. The Chola king was assisted by the council of ministers and court officials.
2. The Rajguru occupied a prominent place in the court of the king.
3. The heads of various departments maintained close contact with the king.
4. The officers were paid by land grants.
5. The officers were honoured with titles.

Provincial Administration:-

1. The Empire was divided into 6 to 8 provinces called the Mandalas.

2. These Mandalas were sub- divided into a number of Kottams.
3. Each Kottam was again divided into a number of districts called Nadus.
4. Within a Nadu were a number of villages called Kurrams.
5. A Mandal was headed by a Viceroy.
6. The viceroy was helped by a large number of officials.

Village Administration:-

1. The villagers ensure that local self -government.

2. All adult male villagers formed a committee called ‘Ur’.
3. The ‘Ur' was given the task to manage all affairs of the village.
4. The committee of the Brahmin villagers was called the Sabha.
5. The committee of merchants was known as Nagaram.

Revenue Administration:-

1. Land revenue being the chief source of state income was collected in cash or in kind.
2. The land revenue was fixed at one-third of the produce.
3. The land revenue assessment was done periodically from time to time.
4. Another important source of revenue of the state was the wealth acquired through military
expeditions.
5. Other sources of revenue were customs, toll duties, taxes on professions, mines, etc.

Military Administration:-

1. The Chola army consisted of the infantry, cavalry & the elephants.
2. The army was well organised, disciplined and well trained.
3. Names of officials like 'Senapati’ and 'Dandanayakam’ are mentioned but the kings themselves
led their armies into battle.
4. The Cholas had a very powerful Navy as well.
5. Arabian horses were imported for strengthening the cavalry of Chola army.