The Tamil Chola Empire

The Tamil Chola Empire was one of the most significant Indian kingdoms and is considered the most influential Hindu kingdom in Indian history. The Chola kings were very famous in India for their great deeds. The Chola dynasty belongs to the Vellalar caste (“noble Tamil warrior caste”) and to the lineage of Suryavamsam (Sun dynasty).The Cholas, Pandyas and Cheras were all descended from the Sangam periods. The reign of King Raja Raja Chola is considered the Golden Age of the Tamils. The capital of the Cholas was the royal city Thanjavur and the emblem of the Chola kingdom was the tiger. Even today, Tamil movements use the tiger in their symbols. Improvements in Dravidian Art, architecture, economy, military and government were also observed in the Chola age.Under the reign of Rajendra Chola, the Cholas defeated enemies and expanded their empire outside India. They ruled over South / East India, Indian islands like Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Singapore, Bangladesh, Maldives and Indonesia. It is possible that the influence of the Cholas was much greater and extended over to the Philippines as well.

The Cholas were very religious Hindus and followers of Shaivism (teaching of Lord Shiva). The Chola kings would not tolerate any concept of a God higher than Lord Shiva. It was tradition of the Cholas in conquered territories to build a Shiva temple to thank Lord Shiva for victory and glory. Generally, the Chola Kings consider it as a measurement of power. The greater the monument, the greater the power.

The Cholas also spread their cultural and religious influence on neighboring countries as well. They built temples and Culture Schools all over Southeast Asia.

During Chola dynasty, South Indian merchant guilds had shown great maritime influence as well. The Indian government even named the Merchant Navy Training Centre in Mumbai as TSRAJENDRA as a tribute to this. Rajendra Chola was the founder of the first Indian Navy.

The Brihadisvara temple is one of the famous monument built by the Cholas. The temple, which is more than 1000 years old, is located in Thanjavur and listed as one of UNESCO World Heritage Site. A statue of Nataraja, from the Chola period, is also considered one of the world famous symbol of Hinduism.

However, the later Cholas were not mighty kings, like their great ancestors. The resurgence of the archenemy Pandyas spelt the end of the Cholas.

By SATHIYA SEELAN