Chola dynasty

Quick Facts: Who was Chola dynasty?

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Chola dynasty

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A powerful Tamil dynasty that established a vast maritime empire in South India.

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Origins & Early Life

The Chola dynasty (Tamil: [t͡ʃoːɻɐr]) was a Tamil dynasty originating from Southern India. At its height, it ruled over the Chola Empire, an expansive maritime empire. The earliest datable references to the Chola are from inscriptions dated to the 3rd century BCE during the reign of Ashoka of the Maurya Empire. The Mahabharata, one of the two major epics of ancient India, contains references to the Cholas. The Chola empire was at its peak and achieved imperialism under the Medieval Cholas in the mid-9th century CE.

Career & Major Achievements

As one of the Three Crowned Kings of Tamilakam, along with the Chera and Pandya, the dynasty continued to govern over varying territories until the 13th century CE. The heartland of the Cholas was the fertile valley of the Kaveri River. They ruled a significantly larger area at the height of their power from the latter half of the 9th century till the beginning of the 13th century. They unified peninsular India south of the Tungabhadra River and held the territory as one state for three centuries between 907 and 1215 CE. Under Rajaraja I and his successors Rajendra I, Rajadhiraja I, Rajendra II, Virarajendra, and Kulothunga Chola I, the empire became a military, economic and cultural powerhouse in South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

There is very little written evidence for the Cholas before the 7th century CE. The main sources of information about the early Cholas are ancient Tamil literature of the Sangam period (c. 600 BCE), oral traditions, religious texts, temple and copperplate inscriptions. Later medieval Cholas also claimed a long and ancient lineage. The Cholas are mentioned in Ashokan Edicts (inscribed 273 BCE–232 BCE) as one of the Mauryan empire's neighbours to the South (Ashoka Major Rock Edict No.13), who, though not subject to Ashoka, were on friendly terms with him. There are also brief references to the Chola country and its towns, ports and commerce in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (Periplus Maris Erythraei), and in the slightly later work of the geographer Ptolemy.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1215: 1215 Milestone — They unified peninsular India south of the Tungabhadra River and held the territory as one state for three centuries between 907 and 1215 CE.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Chola dynasty

True or False: “The Chola Empire was continuously dominant over peninsular India from the 3rd century BCE until the 13th century CE.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The dynasty faced significant periods of decline and migration, notably during the interregnum following the Sangam age.

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