Cholas
Cholas
Cholas (800-1200)
In 846 A.D, the first imperial chola king Vijayalaya Chola captured Thanjavur territory from a Muttarayar King and established his capital at Thanjavur and built a palace. The next ruler Aditya killed his Pallava overlord Aparajita and secured the rule of Cholas. Parantaka I conquered Madurai and took the titleMaduraikonda. He was defeated in battle of Takkolam in 949 by Rastrakuta Ruler Krishna III. The next subsequent rulers were Ganaradiya, Arinjaya, Parantaka II and Uttama chola.
Rajaraja I (985-1014) : He was the most important ruler
occupied Pandya,Kerala territories, destructed capital of Ceylon Anuradhapura and established chola province in Ceylon. he also annexed Maldives. He built a siva or Brihadeesvara temple (Rajarajesvara temple) at Tanjavur allowed sailendra ruler to built monastry at Nagapattinam.
Rajaraja I (985-1014) : He was the most important ruler
occupied Pandya,Kerala territories, destructed capital of Ceylon Anuradhapura and established chola province in Ceylon. he also annexed Maldives. He built a siva or Brihadeesvara temple (Rajarajesvara temple) at Tanjavur allowed sailendra ruler to built monastry at Nagapattinam.
Rajendra I (1014-1044) : He completed the conquest of cyclone, led an successful expedition to North India and assumed the titlegagaikonda chola, built gangaikondacholapuram and a temple. He sent a naval expedition to Sri Vijaya and two diplomatic mission to China. Rajadhiraja succeeded Rajendra trouble with western chalukyas under Somesvara intensified. He was died in the battle of Koppam. His son Rajendra II turned the defeat into a vicory . Virarajendra was the next ruler who accepted Somesvara’s challenge at Koodal sangamam foiled the attempts of Singhalese to overthrow chola power sent naval expediation to Sri Vijaya. Kulotunga I , the ruler of Venki kingdom united the chola kingdom celon overthrew the chola authority in his reign sent an embassy of 72 persons to China he abolished internal tolls so known as Sungam tavirtta chola He was succeeded by Vikrama chola, Kulottunga II, Rajadhiraja II, Kulothunga III, Rajaraja III and Rajendra III.
Chola Administration
King was the head of administration assisted by udankuttam (immediate attendants) the empire was divided into mandalams(provinces), valanadus(dividions), nadus(districts) and kurrams (villages). The most important feature of cholas was their autonomous village administration Uttaramerur inscription of Danivarman Pallava and Parantaka I attest this fact There a 3 types of assemblies.
1) Ur : General assembly consisting of the tax paying residents
2) Sabha or Mahasabha : Membership restricted to Brahmanas
3) Nagaram : assemblies found in trade centres and cities.
The Sabha functioned through its committees called variyams. The election to these committees appears to have been by lot from among eligible members. The assembly generally met in temple mandapa.
1) Ur : General assembly consisting of the tax paying residents
2) Sabha or Mahasabha : Membership restricted to Brahmanas
3) Nagaram : assemblies found in trade centres and cities.
The Sabha functioned through its committees called variyams. The election to these committees appears to have been by lot from among eligible members. The assembly generally met in temple mandapa.
Temple architecture
The chief feature of chola temple is the vimana or storey which was later shadowed by richly ornamented gopuram or gateway.. This style of architecture is known as ‘Dravida’ or the South Indian style. The Cholas known for their famous Nataraja statues in Bronze.
Important temples during this period
Important temples during this period
- Brihadeswara temple at Tanjavur Temple of Gangaikondacholapuram
- Airavateswara temple at Darasuram
- Kampaharesvara temple at Tribuvanam
- Kuranganatha temple at Srivasanallur
- Nagesvarasvami temple at Kumbakonam.
Other important dynasties ruled south
- Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi
- Yadavas of Devagiri the territory ruled by Yadavas was known as Seuna Desa
- Kakatiyas of Warrangal
- Hoysalas of Dvarasamudra(modern Halebid).Belur was their alternate capital
Bittiga(Vishnuvardhana) was the real founder of Hoysalas. He was a Jaina, later became Vaishnava under the influence ofRamanuja.. The Hoyasala temples are double having all essential parts duplicated. The best example are Hoyasalesvara temple at Halebid, Kesava temple at Somanathpur and Chenna Kesava temple at Belur.
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