Scribd
Upload
282 views22 pages

The Imperial Cholas

Uploaded by

cookieswarna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
282 views22 pages

The Imperial Cholas

Uploaded by

cookieswarna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 22

THE IMPERIAL

CHOLAS
Legacy of South India's Great Empire
Introduction

▪ Who Were the Cholas?


▪ One of the longest-ruling dynasties in
South India.

▪ Time Period: Early Cholas (3rd


century BCE–4th century CE),
Imperial Cholas (9th–13th centuries
CE).
▪ Known for: Military conquests,
trade, temple architecture, and
administrative innovations.
▪ Why Study the Cholas?
▪ Their contributions shaped Tamil
culture, architecture, and maritime
dominance.
Historical Background

Origins:
▪ Early Cholas referenced in Sangam
literature and inscriptions.
▪ Capital: Uraiyur, later Tanjore (Thanjavur).
▪ The Rise of Imperial Cholas:
▪ Vijayalaya Chola (850 CE) established the
dynasty by capturing Tanjore.
▪ Consolidated power by defeating Pallavas
and Pandyas.
Key Rulers of the Imperial Cholas

▪ Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014 CE):


▪ Expanded the empire into Sri Lanka and Maldives.
▪ Constructed the Brihadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site.

▪ Rajendra Chola I (1014–1044 CE):


▪ Naval expeditions to Southeast Asia (Srivijaya Empire).
▪ Founded Gangaikonda Cholapuram as the new capital.

▪ Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1122 CE):


▪ Strengthened trade relations with Southeast Asia and
China.
Territorial Expansion

Key Conquests:
▪ South India: Subjugation of the
Pandyas, Cheras, and Pallavas.
▪ Sri Lanka: Incorporated as a
province under Rajaraja I.
▪ Southeast Asia: Naval
expeditions to Srivijaya,
dominating trade routes.
Maritime Dominance:
▪ Established control over the Bay
of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.
Administration and Governance

• Centralized Rule:
o King as the supreme authority.
o Structured bureaucracy with ministers and officials.

• Revenue System:
o Detailed land surveys for effective taxation.
o Taxes on agriculture, trade, and ports.

• Local Administration:
o Village assemblies (Sabhas or Ur).
o Self-governance for managing local disputes and resources.
Economic Prosperity

• Agriculture:
o Advanced irrigation systems, including tanks and canals.

• Trade:
o Exported textiles, spices, ivory, and gems.
o Imported silk, horses, and luxury goods.

• Ports and Maritime Trade:


o Major ports: Nagapattinam, Poompuhar, and Kaveripoompattinam.
o Trade relations with Southeast Asia, China, and the Middle East.
Military and Naval Strength

• Army:
o Strong infantry, cavalry, and war
elephants.
o Advanced siege techniques and
fortifications.

• Naval Supremacy:
o Well-organized navy for expeditions and
trade protection.
o Conquered the Maldives and Southeast
Asian regions like Srivijaya.
Cultural Achievements

• Temple Architecture:

o Brihadeeswarar Temple (Tanjore): A masterpiece of Dravidian


architecture.

o Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple: Grand temple built by Rajendra


I.

o Airavatesvara Temple (Darasuram).

• Sculpture and Art:

o Iconic bronze statues, especially of Nataraja (Shiva as cosmic


dancer).

• Literature:

o Tamil works like Kamba Ramayanam, Periya Puranam.

o Patronage of Tamil poets and scholars. Brihadeeswarar Temple


▪
Religious Contributions

• Hinduism:
o Built grand temples for Shaivism and Vaishnavism.

• Tolerance:
o Supported Jainism and Buddhism as well.

• Cultural Exchange:
o Spread of Indian culture, religion, and architecture
to Southeast Asia.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple


Decline of the Chola Empire

• Factors:
o Internal conflicts and succession disputes.
o Rise of rival dynasties: Pandyas and Hoysalas.
o Invasions: Malik Kafur's invasion (Delhi Sultanate) in the 14th century.

• End of the Empire:


o Gradual disintegration into smaller kingdoms.

▪
Legacy of the Cholas

• Architectural Impact:
o Temples like Brihadeeswarar inspire global admiration.

• Cultural Influence:
o Shaped Tamil culture, language, and traditions.

• Maritime Legacy:
o Established South India's prominence in Indian Ocean trade networks.
Who Were the Chalukyas?

• A major dynasty that ruled over parts of the


Deccan plateau in South India.
• Time Period: 6th to 12th centuries CE, split into three
branches:
• Early Chalukyas of Badami.
• Western Chalukyas (Kalyani).
• Eastern Chalukyas (Vengi).

• Significance:
• Pioneers in temple architecture, administration, and
cultural patronage.
Historical Overview

•Origins:
•Established by Pulakeshin I (543–566 CE) in Badami
(present-day Karnataka).
•Timeline:
•Early Chalukyas: 6th–8th centuries CE.
•Western Chalukyas: 10th–12th centuries CE.
•Eastern Chalukyas: 7th–12th centuries CE.
•Dynastic Rivalries:
•Conflicts with the Pallavas, Rashtrakutas, and Cholas.
Key Rulers

•Pulakeshin II (610–642 CE):


•Expanded the empire to its zenith.
•Defeated Harsha of Kannauj and established dominance over the Deccan.
•Vikramaditya I (655–681 CE):
•Reconquered territories lost to the Pallavas.
•Western Chalukyas:
•Tailapa II (973–997 CE): Revived the dynasty after Rashtrakuta decline.
•Vikramaditya VI (1076–1126 CE): Known for his administrative reforms and
cultural achievements.
Territorial Extent

•Key Territories:
•Badami (capital of the Early Chalukyas).
•Kalyani (capital of Western Chalukyas).
•Vengi (controlled by the Eastern
Chalukyas).
•Rivalries and Alliances:
•Frequent battles with Pallavas, Cholas,
and Rashtrakutas.
Cultural Achievements

• Architecture:
o Pioneers of Vesara-style architecture (blend of Nagara and
Dravidian styles).
o Early temples at Badami, Aihole, and Pattadakal (UNESCO
World Heritage Site).

• Literature:
o Patronage of Sanskrit and Kannada literature.
o Contributions of poets like Vijayanaka and scholars like
Vijnaneshwara (Mitakshara).

• Religion:
o Tolerance towards Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Badami Temple
Temple Architecture

• Aihole (The Cradle of Indian Architecture):


o Durga Temple: A unique apsidal structure.
o Lad Khan Temple: Earliest examples of
temple construction.

• Pattadakal:
o Virupaksha Temple: Built by Queen
Lokamahadevi to commemorate a military
victory.
o Other notable temples: Mallikarjuna and
Kashi Vishwanatha temples.

• Badami:
o Rock-cut cave temples dedicated to
Vishnu, Shiva, and Jainism.
Virupaksha Temple
Pattadakal (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Decline of the Chalukyas

• Early Chalukyas:
• Declined after Pulakeshin II's defeat by the Pallavas in 642 CE.

• Western Chalukyas:
• Lost power to the Hoysalas and Kalachuris in the 12th century.

• Eastern Chalukyas:
• Integrated into the Chola dynasty through alliances and conflicts.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy