Chola Dynasty

The Chola dynasty was one of the dynasties that ruled South India. The Coromandel coast from Nellore to Pudukkottai was part of the Chola kingdom. The Chola kingdom was the area between the Pennar and Vellar rivers. It was located on the eastern coast of South India. The eastern coast is also known as the Coromandel coast. The Chola kingdom included the present-day Thanjavur and Trichinella districts and a part of the old Pudukkottai state. The center of political power of the Cholas was Uraiyur.

Karikala Chola was the most famous of the Chola kings. He defeated his contemporary Chera and Pandya kings in the Battle of Venni. He defeated an enemy alliance formed by nine Kurunila Mannas. The most important event during his reign was the establishment of the city of Puhar. It later became known as Kaveripattana. Karikala was a very capable ruler. He took the initiative to clear forests to make settlements. He also built many ponds for irrigation. The textile trade flourished during this period. He paid special attention to educational matters. He patronized many poets and scholars.

In the 4th century AD, the power of the Cholas waned due to the combined attacks of the Cheras and the Pandyas. After the death of Karikala, internal conflicts arose among the Cholas. As a result, the power of the Cholas waned. With the invasion of the Pallavas from the north, the dominance of the Cholas was completely destroyed. The Cholas disappeared as a political power between the 4th and 9th centuries AD. However, they regained power in the 9th century AD and remained in power until the 13th century.

The Chola Empire was reestablished by Vijayalaya. In 850 AD, he captured Thanjavur and established the Chola Empire by making it his capital. During the reigns of his successors Aditya Chola and Parantaka Chola, the Chola Empire expanded its borders into neighboring countries through wars. The Chola Empire, which lasted for about four centuries, was ruled by eighteen kings. Rajaraja I and Rajendra Chola were prominent among them.