Origins & Early Life

Karikala (Tamil: கரிகால; [kaːrikɑːl]; Middle Tamil: Karikāḷa Cōḻaṉ (கரிகால சோழன்), often referred to as Karikala the Great and the Death to sin, was a Tamil Emperor of the Early Cholas of the Chola dynasty who ruled ancient Tamilakam (Modern day South India) from Uraiyur and then Puhar. He is credited with the construction of the flood banks of the river Kaveri and conquest of Tamilakam, Andhra and Sri Lanka. He is recognised as the greatest of the Early Cholas. The Thiruvalangadu plates of Rajendra Chola I, and the Thiruvilandur plates associated with Rajadhiraja I and his younger brother Rajendra II, include Karikala Chola in their genealogical accounts of the Chola dynasty.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Several Telugu dynasties also claimed descendant from Karikala. The story of Karikala is mixed with legend and anecdotal information gleaned from Sangam literature. The period covered by the extant literature of the Sangam is not easy to determine with any measure of certainty. Paṭṭiṉappālai, Poruṇarāṟṟuppaṭai and a number of individual poems in the Akanaṉūṟu and Purananuru have been the main source for the information that is attributed to Karikala. There are many inscriptions and records found...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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