Page 52 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

50  INTRODUCING INDIA

The Chola Dynasty

Between the 9th and 13th centuries, South India was
dominated by the Chola dynasty, whose extensive empire
covered much of peninsular India. Their two greatest kings
were Rajaraja I (985–1014) and Rajendra I (1014–1044), under
whom literature, architecture and sculpture reached new
heights. They built magnificent temples, endowed them
with land and enormous wealth, and these became the focal
point of their economy, as well as their social and cultural
life. In 1216, the Cholas were defeated by the Pandyas, King Rajaraja I
who then became the dominant power in South India. The first great Chola king,
Rajaraja I (above) subdued
other southern kingdoms
Infrastructure and conquered Sri Lanka.
The Cholas’ irrig ation
dams on the Kaveri
river (see p605)
ensured the fertility
of their lands. Civil
and military officials,
provincial chieftains,
and elected village
committees formed
part of their
highly efficient
administration.
Wrestlers
formed
part of the
Chola army.

Chola Warriors
This panel from the temple at Darasuram
(see p597) celebrates the martial skills of
the Cholas. Rajaraja I had a huge army
of 31 regiments, which included elephant
Two faces of a copper coin of Rajaraja I and horse cavalry, as well as foot soldiers.

The Chola Empire
Mathura • C H I N A
I N D I A Ganges • Nalanda The Cholas established
the largest empire in
Narmada Tamralipti • MYANMAR India since the Gupta
M ahan adi
Sopara • empire in the 4th–6th
Bay of THAILAND centuries AD. After
Aihole Bengal
Arabian • Krishna CAMBODIA defeating the rulers of
Godavari
Cholas • Kanchipuram Andaman • Angkhor the Deccan, Odisha,
Sea Badami •
Kochi Islands Bihar and Bengal, they
• • Gangaikondacholapuram Andaman
Thanjavur • • Nagappattinam Sea sent naval expeditions
Madurai • to extend their
Lakshadweep • Anuradhapura Nicobar
Islands SRI LANKA Islands Penang influence over Sri Lanka,
Island
Barus • MALAYSIA the Maldives, Malaysia,
Maldive Indian Java and Sumatra. They
Key Islands Ocean also had trade and
Sumatra
Extent of the Chola Kingdom diplomatic relations
INDONESIA with China, Cambodia
Chola Expeditions
Java and Myanmar.
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