India has a rich history of powerful kingdoms and dynasties, each contributing in art, architecture, administration and economics. Indian history has many important kings but particularly we still talk about one specific kingdoms and their architecture. Cholas dynasty one of the remarkable kingdom in India. Cholas dynasty plays a major role to shape south Indian history and expand beyond borders and create massive powerful kingdom. Cholas period is consider golden age of south India and literature. Important literature flourished in sangam age, describes the early cholas kings. The origin of the Cholas Dynasty can be traced to the Kaveri River Delta region of Tamil Nadu.
Early cholas were powerful rulers even before the Common Era. They ruled ancient cities like URAIYUR and PALAYAR. But there is little evidence about early cholas only little bit of information traced in sangam literature and starting stage around second century. After a long period rise of cholas in 9thcentury. It considers a long ruling period of the empire and also a “Golden age of Tamilagam”. Tamil Nadu ruled by trio king cholas belongs to one and another are Chera, pandya.
Karkalla cholas belongs to 2nd century. He is one of the most famous kings of this empire. World oldest dam constructed belongs this age. Kallanai (Grand Anicut) built by karikala chola across the Cauvery river it’s located in Tiruchirappalli and still useful for irrigation purpose. Many projects occur in this kallanai. After a long gap cholas again raising their own empire in south India and ruling a long period. Raja raja chola is a second child of sundara cholan this information collected in Alagar kovil inscriptions. He conquered and captured Sri Lanka. So border of the cholas dynasty expanded. They empire become more powerful in Indian history.
Another remarkable king is Rajendra chola, the son of Raja Raja cholan. Rajendra cholan is a prince of Tamilagam after his father death he came to the throne. One of the powerful kings in this Empire. He conquered south to north India. So, history called his “GANGAI KONDAN” and he travelled beyond India and expanded the empire. Rajendra chola successful in naval expedition and capture Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri lanka so,as well as known as kadaram koondan. He had a powerful navy, which helped him control trade sea routes across Asia. During his period literature also flourished like periyapuranam, Tevaram. Literature shows richness of Tamil language and how people are wealth in cholas period.
Chola administration one of the most efficient and well organised system in medieval India history especially Raja raja chola 1, Rajendra chola 1.They collected various types of tax and chola famous for small village administration. In the worlds first introduced citizenship and were selected by KUDAVOLAI method. This method still use in India and worldwide. Lottery method introduced by cholas. Cholas not only supreme in administration also in irrigation, Archeiture, Education, Tax. This show how cholas are well defined in revenue system and water system. Cholas know the importance of the water so they started to build dam and save water in rainy season that water used in summer day and agricultural purpose. This show cholas construction knowledge is very deeply. The king held supreme power by council of minister. Their empire divided into two types one is MANDALAM another is VALANADU OR VILLAGE. Cholas maintained a strong legal system the law and order are fair to the common people. This is another major reason why this dynasty still popular in Indian history. Tax play a major role in revenue system and separately appointed administer for collect tax. During cholas empire people leads life very happy and wealth. Women have rights in property this show cholas how much give importance to the women.
Agriculture and Trade is a backbone of cholas dynasty. Chola the word derived in sooru [food]. This show how much the cholas wealthy in agriculture .They planted many various types of spices, silk, cottons and exporedt many countries. Economically cholas had very strong contact with other countries like China and Southeast Asia. They export pepper, textiles, and many luxuries things. This information taken in Tamil literature. One famous story in Tamil Nadu one day an old lady dried some grains in sun at the time some birds came and ate the dried grains so that old lady got angered and she threw her earrings to the sparrows then all birds fly away. This story show how cholas country so wealthy in gold ornaments.
Cholas dynasty had a biggest maritime force in the world. They conquered beyond India and capture many countries like south India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Kadaram. They known very strong ship construction technique also cholas maintained strong military force Karikalan 1 conquered Himalaya and hoist the tiger symbols flag then return back to south India. This incident show how military power strong in cholas dynasty. Forts were build for protection and navy help expansion of borders (Sri Lanka and Asia)
The great living Temples were built by king of the cholas Empire, which famous all over the India and neighbouring islands. The three worldwide famous temples are Brihadeeswara temple, Gangaikonda cholapuram temple and Airavatheswara temple. The three temples form a unique and development of cholas architecture and art. Brihadeeswara temple at Thanjavur marks the greatest achievements of the cholas architecture. Gangaikondacholapuram located in perambalur district was built for lord shiva by Rajendra 1. The Airavateswara temple at Thanjavur was build by the chola king Rajaraja 2. This temple small size compare to the other two temples. Cholas vimanas are tall and richly sculptured form. Brihadeeswara temple has a 66 meter tall vimana and mandapam made for gathering, dance and rituals. Many animals and mythological scenes traced in temple walls.
Early period cholas temples are small Gopurams later dynasties like pandas and vijayanagara made massive. Brihadeeswara temple in UNESCO world heritage site and had a giant and massive Siva lingam. Gangaikondacholapuram similar to Thanjavur temple but smaller and more elegant. Cholas architecture influence later south Indian dynasties like pandas, vijayanagara rulers. It inspired Southeast Asian temple architecture especial Cambodia and Indonesia features of vimanas, mandapam are become standard in later temples. Cholas architecture ideas influenced in Cambodia temple like (Angkor Wat) and Indonesia (Prambanan). Angkor Wat show chola and south Indian influence particularly Dravidian style. Prambanan temple design reflects deep culture and architectural exchange with south India. This temple similar to the great living cholas Thanjavur temple. Angkor Wat and Prambanan both are recognized as UNESO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.
Cholas architecture is not about religious it’s all about south Indian cultural movement. Nataraja bronze statue are the finest example of cholas metal work that statue had detailed facial expression, very balanced and elegant. Statue symbolise many things like Ring of fire ( cycle of creation and destruction) under foot crushed a demon upper right hand for creation and upper left hand for destruction lower Right hand represent gestures and raised left leg show spiritual Upliftment . Nataraja statue from Chidambaram temple is worldwide famous the lord Shiva worshiped for dance. This statue famous because cholas blends art and religion.
Every starting have ending, every ending have a starting just like cholas dynasty ending started gradually not a single event .The falling stage start in late 12th and early 13th century. The last ruler of the cholas dynasty was Rajendra cholas 3. He ruled from around 13th century. During his time, the Cholas Empire had already become weak after many year of war and political problems .Rise of the pandya kingdom leads fall of the cholas dynasty. In 13th century Sundara pandya invaded cholas and expand their territory, marking the end of cholas dominance. Pandya kings wanted to become the most powerful kingdom in south India and cholas kingdom had rich lands and important cities like Thanjavur so, pandya wanted these lands for their kingdom. Another important reason is revenge for many years the cholas and pandyas are rival kingdoms. Early cholas had defeated the pandyas many time, so pandya want to take a revenge later pandyas gain more than power and attacked cholas. Cholas economy depended on agriculture and trade a continuous war affect trade its leads to economic downfall. Middle 13th century pandya dynasty takeover in Tamil Nadu.
Cholas dynasty is a great legacy in the history of India. Legacy of the cholas continues to even today through their achievements in administration, architecture, art and trade show their wisdom and vision. The temples they build and promote culture to the world. The cholas dynasty will always be remembered and one of the greatest empires in Indian history. Chola period consider golden age for people, literature also in administration, military strategy, maritime force and diplomacy even today world.
By: SOWMIYA ARIVAZHAGAN
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