About the empire
The Cholas are remembered as one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the southern regions of India. The reign of the Cholas began in the 9th century when they defeated the Pallavas to come into power, it was founded by King Vijayalaya, he took over the Tanjore kingdom in the 8th century and led to the rise of the mighty Cholas by defeating the Pallavas, hence Tanjore was made the first capital of the eminent Chola Empire. The Early periods of the Chola rule saw the onset of the Sangam literature. Kantaman was one of the prominent rulers of this era and the medieval period was the era of absolute power and development for the Cholas. Art, religion and literature benefited greatly during this period. Several Shiva temples were built across the banks of the Kaveri river and the Tanjore Brihadeeswara temple is adorned with natural color paintings that are a feast for the eyes even today. The Cholas were ardent patrons of art, poetry, literature and drama, the administration was seen investing in the construction of several temples and complexes with sculptures and paintings. Sculptures of gods and goddesses like Shiva, Vishnu and Lakshmi have been carved out of bronze and serve as a golden reminder of this period. Literature was another crucial highlight of this period. Not only did devotional literature take shape but Jain and Buddhist writings also got appreciation and recognition during this phase. The popular Nalayira Divya Prabandham from this period is a compilation of 4000 Tamil verses and is widely savored by literary scholars even to this day. The Cholas ruled in a sustained Monarchy by appointing separate governors who were held in charge of each mandala and the system of rule was such that each village acted as a self-governing unit during the era of the Cholas. This magnificence lasted until the arrival of the Pandyas in the early 13th century and the temples and literature of this time still serve as testimony to this ecstatic period of history.
Famous kings of their empire
The Chola Dynasty was the greatest among all the south Indian dynasties. The Indian Chola Empire conquered not only south of India but also extended their empire over the seas and ruled parts beyond the sea like Maldives Islands and Sri Lanka which shows that they had very efficient as well as huge naval power. Cholas rule forms an important part of the history of South India. It saw remarkable progress in almost all spheres of life such as polity, culture, and economy. In the 9th century, the Cholas gained control and overthrew the Pallavas. They ruled in the south of India from the 9th to 13th Century.
Vijayalaya: The founder of the Chola Kingdom was Vijayalaya who conquered the kingdom of Tanjore during the mid 8th century. The Indian Chola dynasty is an important landmark in the history of India. The Chola Empire occupied the present Tanjore and Tiruchirappalli districts with some adjoining areas. The rule of the Chola dynasty rose to prominence in 850 when their ruler Vijayalaya defeated the Pallavas and took over Tanjore from them. Due to the conflict between Pallavas and Pandyas, Vijayalaya occupied Tanjore and made his capital. He was succeeded by his son Aditya-I.
Aditya-I: Aditya-I succeeded Vijayalaya to become the ruler of the empire. He defeated king Aparajita and the empire gained massive power under his reign. He conquered the Pandya Kings along with the Vadumbas and established control over the Pallavas power in the region.
Rajendra Chola: He succeeded the mighty Rajaraja Chola. Rajendra-I was the first to venture to the banks of Ganges. He was popularly called the Victor of the Ganges. His new empire capital was called the Gangaikondacholapuram where he received the title of ‘Gangaikonda’. This period is referred to as the golden age of the Cholas. After his rule, the kingdom witnessed a widespread downfall. He defeated the eastern Chalukyas of Vegi, the Pandyas of Madurai, and the Gangas of Mysore. He was an able administrator and also a great builder. Rajaraja Chola built a magnificent temple at Tanjore, which is named Rajarajeshwar after his name.
Rajendra-I (1012 - 1044 A.D): He was also an able ruler like his father Rajaraja Chola. He went up to Bengal and became victorious on the banks of Ganges. He was given the title of "Gangaikonda" (the victor of Ganges). He built up a new capital called Gangaikondacholapuram. Rajendra Chola's greatest achievement was the conquest of the Andaman and Nicobar islands. During Rajendra Chola's reign, the kingdom was called the "Golden Age of Cholas." After his death, the Chola kingdom began to decline. His successors were weak and so the kingdom started disintegrating.
Vira Rajendra (1064 - 1070 A.D): He was the elder brother of Rajendra-II succeeded his brother to reign for the next seven years. He conquered the invasion of Chalukya King and defeated the Chalukya ruler. Vira reconquered Vengi and foiled the efforts of Vijayabahu of Ceylon who was trying to drive the Cholas out of Ceylon. While Someswara-II succeeded the Chalukyas throne, Rajendra made some incursions but later on built friendly ties by giving his daughter to Vikramaditya. Soon after the death of Vira Rajendra in 1070 A.D, there was a contest for the throne and Adhi-Rajendra, the heir apparent took the throne.
Kulottunga-I: Rajendra-II succeeded Adhirajendra who got the title as Kulottunga Chola. In about 1073, Kalachuri King Yasahkarana invaded Vengi but did not gain anything. Pandyas and Cheras attack were defeated down by Kulottunga. The southern Kalinga revolt was also put down. In about 1118 A.D, the Viceroy of Vengi - the Vikramaditya-VI took control of Vengi from Chola and thus succeeded in separating the Cholas from the Eastern Chalukyas. Gangavadi and Nolambavadi were lost to Hoysala's Vishnuvardhana.
Vikrama Chola (1120 - 1135 A.D): The next successor, the son of Kulottunga-I restored the Chola power by reconquering Vengi and by taking control of part of Gangavadi. His reign was somewhat peaceful to his subjects though there were floods and famines in South Arcot. The Hoysala expansion took control of Chola power slowly and subsequently. The last rulers namely Kulottunga-II, Rajaraja-II, Rajadhiraja-III could not stop the Hoysalas annexation of the Chola Kingdom. Cholas hold on the Pandyan kingdom had already weakened. In about 1243, the Pallava chief declared independence. The Kakatiyas and Hoysalas partitioned among themselves the territory of the Chola Empire and Chola Empire ceased to exist forever.
Extent of their empire & Patronage towards the Hindu religion
Between 980 and c.1150, the Chola Empire comprised the entire south Indian peninsula, extending east to west from coast to coast and bound to the north by an irregular line along the Tungabhadra River and the Vengi frontier. Although Vengi had a separate political existence, it was so closely connected to the Chola Empire that, for all practical purposes, the Chola dominion extended up to the banks of the Godavari river. Thanjavur and later Gangaikonda Cholapuram were the imperial capitals. However, both Kanchipuram and Madurai were considered to be regional capitals, in which occasional courts were held where the king was the supreme commander and a benevolent dictator. His administrative role consisted of issuing oral commands to responsible officers when representations were made to him. A powerful bureaucracy assisted the king in the tasks of administration and in executing his orders. Due to the lack of a legislature or a legislative system in the modern sense, the fairness of the king’s orders depended on the goodness of the man and in his belief in Dharma - a sense of fairness and justice. All Chola kings built temples and endowed great wealth to them. The temples acted not only as places of worship but as centers of economic activity, benefiting their entire community. The Cholas excelled the Pallavas in the art of portrait making, the best specimens of portraits are found on the walls of Koranganatha temple and Nageswarasamy temple. During their rule, Endowments were made to promote music. Musicians were honored by the kings, temples and mutts imparted training in vocal and instrumental music. The art of paintings flourished, Figures were painted with realism, Bharatha Natyam and kathakali were two types of dances performed during the Chola period. In general, Cholas were the adherents of Saivism and Hinduism, throughout their history, they were not swayed by the rise of Buddhism and Jainism as were the kings, Pallava and Pandya. Later Cholas were also staunch Saivites, although there was a sense of toleration towards other sects and religions. Parantaka-I and Sundara Chola endowed and built temples for both Siva and Vishnu.
Architecture style of the kings
Early Chola temples at the Bank of river Kaveri were smaller and brick making, in comparison to the buildings of the Imperial Cholas. The temples of the Imperial Cholas are covered with exquisite well composed sculptures and frescoes. The Cholas followed the Pallava style of architecture and the sanctum of the Chola temples are both circular and square in size. The inner side of the external walls and the sanctum were beautified, on the upper side of the sanctum special vimanas are built. Dome-shaped sikhara and kalasa were also there on the top of Gopurams, these gopurams were meaningful. Many temples are having pillared mandapams namely Artha mandapam, Maha mandapa and Nandi mandapa where sculptures and inscriptions are also fixed on the walls of these temples. The largest and tallest of all Indian temples i.e. Siva Temple of Thanjavur was built in the Chola Period. The Dravidian Style got fully developed after a transition from the rock-cut structures of the Pallava Period. Stone and metal sculptures are found in plenty in Chola temples as they depict the socio-religious ideas of the Chola period. The Nataraja sculpture is world-famous not only for its beauty but also for its spiritual meaning and they made use of sculptures to decorate the walls, pillars and roofs. The dvarapalas, or guardian figures, at the entrance to the mandapa, or hall which started from the Pallava period became a unique feature of the Chola Temples. Ganas, among the sculptures at the temple, are the most memorable figures made in Chola temples.
Key temples built/enhanced during this reign
The early Chola temples of classical workmanship and excellence are architectural achievements in the Chola tradition. The early Chola temple architecture combines all the mature innovations adopting elegant designs. The Chola Architectural tradition reached a high degree of excellence and perfection during the reign of Rajaraja-I and Rajendra-I. Besides all these temples of the Chola period, the greatest landmark in the history of south Indian architecture is Brhadeeswarar temple at Tanjore built by Rajaraja-I. Studying of the style of architecture of Kailasanatha temple of Sembianmahadevi clearly shows that the temple is centuries old and has been added and modified during the reigns of some powerful dynasties which ruled in South India, it has been laudably preserved by the administrators right from the time of the Pallavas, the Later Cholas. Pandyas Vijayanagar and the Nayakas kings down to this day with multifarious additions, renovations, repairs, changes, and such like from time to time.
SRI NAGESWARAR TEMPLE - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India
Nageswaraswamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva which is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram. The temple complex is one of the largest in the state as it houses three gateway towers known as gopurams. Temple complex houses many halls and three precincts, the most notable is the second precinct built during the Vijayanagar period that has many sculptures. Aditya Chola constructed this temple during the 9th century in such a way that it allowed sunlight inside the temple, right on the sanctum only during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April/May). The inscriptions indicate specific subjects like Purvamimansa styled as Pravahakarma and had been a centre of learning as seen from the inscriptions in the temple.
MUVAR KOIL - Kodumbalur, Pudukkottai, Tamilnadu, India
Moovar Koil temple complex is constructed by the Chola feudatory and Irukkuvel chieftain Boothi Vikramakesari as per the inscription and only two of the three temples have managed to survive. These temples follow the Pallava architecture which are relatively small in size and they all have a fair-sized porch, locally called ardha mandapa attached to the sanctum, both of which are slightly below the ground level in a pit kind of structure. The structures are also predominantly built of stone.
KORANGANATHA SWAMY TEMPLE - Musiri, Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, India
Koranganatha Temple was managed and protected by peoples of Mutharaiyar / Muthuraja community who believed as ancestors of Medieval Cholas and the temple was constructed by the Medieval Cholas and is dedicated to the god Ranganatha. The temple is of Nagara style in the architecture of the vimana among its counterparts and is atypical of Chola art is probably built by Parantaka-I. The total cover length of the temple is 15.3 m and the shikara measures 15.3 m. The sanctum is square in shape measuring 3.7 m and it has a small vestibule leading to a four pillared hall.
SRI VEERATTESWARAR TEMPLE - Tiruvadhigai, Cuddalore, Tamilnadu, India
Thiruvadhigai Veeratteswarar Temple is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple complex is one of the largest in the state and it houses two gateway towers known as gopurams. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Veeratteswarar and Mookambigai being the most prominent and the most notable is the second precinct built during the Vijayanagar period that has many sculptures. The temple is believed to have been expanded by later Pandyas. During the period of Marathas and British Colonization, the temple acted as a fort to the armies.
SRI VAIDYANATHA SWAMY TEMPLE - Thirumazhapadi, Ariyalur, Tamilnadu, India
The Vaidyanatha Temple is a very ancient temple of Tamil Nadu associated with many important Shaiva saints. It has many inscriptions from the period of the imperial Cholas to that of the Vijayanagara rulers which testify the various modifications and enlargement the temple went through in those centuries. The temple complex faces east and is entered through the imposing 30 metres high rajagopuram or gateway, completely covered with stucco figures from the Puranas and the epics.
SRI RAJA RAJESWARA TEMPLE - Taliparamba, Kerala, India
This Temple is one of the most outstanding monuments of the Chola Period after the name of king Rajaraja who built it in honour of Lord Shiva in about 1009 A.D. It is composed of many interconnected structures such as the Nandi pavilion, a pillared portico and a large hall. Its vimana(a temple like structure having three cella in which the deity is enshrined) is 66 metres high. The tower of the temple rises to a height of 57 metres, like a pyramid, in 13 successive storeys. A massive linga on the central pedestal is enshrined within the sanctuary and a stone altar carved with a lotus on the top has the Navagrahas carved on to the sides. A large Nandi sculpture constructed of blocks is constructed in the front(east) of the principal temple.
SRI BRIHADESWARAR TEMPLE - Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Ariyalur, Tamilnadu, India
Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple was completed in 1035 AD by Rajendra Chola-I as a part of his new capital, this Chola dynasty era temple is similar in design and has a similar name, as the older 11th century. The main temple dedicated to Shiva is based on a square plan, but it reverentially displays other Hindu deities such as Vishnu, Durga, Surya, Harihara, Ardhanarishvara, and others. This Dravidian style of architecture temple has two courtyards stacked next to each other, all mandapas, the upapitham, the shrine plans, the garbha griha (sanctum) and the tower elements are all square shaped and incorporate circles and principles of geometric symmetry.
SRI AIRAVATEESWARA TEMPLE - Darasuram, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India
Airavateeswara Temple is a Hindu temple of Dravidian architecture built by Rajaraja Chola-II in the 12th century C.E which is referred to as the Great Living Chola Temples. The Airavateeswara temple is one among a cluster of eighteen medieval era large Hindu temples in the Kumbakonam area. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and also reverentially displays Vaishnavism and Shaktism traditions of Hinduism. The Airavatesvara temple is another square plan structure completed in 1166 C.E. The surviving inner courtyard is almost six stacked squares of 35 metres side, measuring a total of about 107 metres by 70 metres. It is classified as Karakkoil, a temple fashioned after temple chariots which are taken in procession around the temple during festivals.
SRI SARABESWARAR - KAMPAHESWARAR TEMPLE - Tirupuvanam, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India
The Kampaheswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva and is considered in the line of Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and Airavatesvara temple, with the trio forming the Great Living Chola Temples. As per inscriptions found in the south wall of the temple, the shrine was constructed by the Chola king Kulothunga Chola III as a memorial of his successful North Indian campaign. The architecture of the temple is similar to the Big Temple at Thanjavur, Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram temples. The two circular pilasters with circular shafts on four sides of the vimana indicate the antiquity of the temple.
Sri Sarabeswarar - Kampaheswarar Temple
SRI BRIHADEESWARA TEMPLE - Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India
Brihadeeswara Temple is one of the largest South Indian temples and an exemplary example of a fully realized Dravidian architecture built by Tamil king Raja Raja Chola-I between 1003 and 1010 A.D. The original monument was built around a moat which includes gopura, the main temple, its massive tower, inscriptions, frescoes and sculptures predominantly related to Shaivism, but also of Vaishnavism and Shaktism traditions of Hinduism. The main Vimana (Shikhara) is a massive 16 storeys tower of which 13 are tapering squares which dominate the main quadrangle. The temple also saw additions, renovations, and repairs over the next 1,000 years. The raids and wars, particularly between Muslim Sultans who controlled Madurai and Hindu kings who controlled Thanjavur caused damage which were repaired by Hindu dynasties that regained control. In some cases, the rulers attempted to renovate the temple with faded paintings, by ordering new murals on top of the older ones. The significant shrines of Kartikeya (Murugan), Parvati (Amman) and Nandi are from the 16th and 17th-century Nayaka era.
ARULMIGU VIJAYALAYA CHOLEESHWARAR TEMPLE - Narthamalai, Pudukottai, Tamilnadu, India
Vijayalaya Choleeswaram was constructed in the Dravida style and rock cut architecture which is believed to have been built during the 9th century by Muttaraiyar kings with later expansion from the Cholas, the rock-cut architecture is an early example of Cholan Art, continuing the tradition of the Pallavas. As per the inscriptions, immediately after the construction, the temple was damaged by rains and lightning and the restoration work was carried out by Thennavan Tamiladirayan. The temple is considered one of the oldest stone temples in South India and the central shrine is surrounded by eight shrines, out of which six are still present. The main shrine faces West and the sanctum houses the image of Lingam, the aniconic representation of Shiva.
Sri Vijayalaya Choleeshwarar Temple
AYIKUDI BALASUBRAMANYA SWAMI TEMPLE – Thenkasi, Tamilnadu, India
The Ayikudi Balasubramanya Swami Temple is situated on the banks of Hanumannathi River and Sri Hanuman was said to have stopped by and rested on the banks of this river on his way to Lanka. The Travancore Royal family took up the temple management and the temple was renovated. The shrine also houses Vishnu, Shiva, Ambikai, and Ganesha and Aditya (Surya).
