Chola Dynasty
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Chola Dynasty
300s BC–1279
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Chola’s empire and influence at the height of its power (c.
1050)
Capital
Early Cholas:
Poompuhar, Urayur,
Medieval Cholas:
Pazhaiyaarai, Thanjavur
Gangaikonda
Cholapuram
Language(s)
Tamil
Religion
Hinduism
Government
Monarchy
King
- 848-871
Vijayalaya Chola
- 1246-1279
Rajendra Chola III
Historical era
Middle Ages
- Established
300s BC
- Rise of the medieval
Cholas
848
- Disestablished
1279
The Chola Dynasty
(Tamil: ????? ?????,
[’ʧoːɻə]) was a Tamil dynasty that ruled
primarily in southern India until the 13th
century. The dynasty originated in the fertile
valley of the Kaveri River. Karikala Chola was
the most famous among the early Chola
kings, while Aditya I, Parantaka I, Rajaraja
Chola I, Rajendra Chola I, Rajadhiraja Chola,
Virarajendra Chola, Kulothunga Chola I and
Kulothunga Chola III were notable emperors
of the medieval Cholas.
The Cholas were at the height of their
power continuously from the later half of the
9th century till the beginning of the 13th cen-
turies.[1] Under Rajaraja Chola I and his son
Rajendra Chola I, the dynasty became a milit-
ary,
economic
and cultural
power
in
Asia.[2][3] During the period 1010–1200, the
Chola territories stretched from the islands
of the Maldives in the south to as far north as
the banks of the Godavari River in Andhra
Pradesh.[4] Rajaraja Chola conquered penin-
sular South India, annexed parts of Sri Lanka
and occupied the islands of the Maldives.[3]
Rajendra Chola sent a victorious expedition
to North India that touched the river Ganga
and defeated the Pala ruler of Pataliputra,
Mahipala. He also successfully invaded king-
doms of the Malay Archipelago.[5][6]
The Chola tottered at the beginning of the
thirteenth century and vanished with the rise
of the Pandyas and the Hoysala. [7]
The Cholas left a lasting legacy. Their pat-
ronage of Tamil literature and their zeal in
building temples have resulted in some great
works of Tamil literature and architecture.[3]
The Chola kings were avid builders and envi