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Rajendra Chola I�தலா� இராேச�திர ேசாழ�

Rajendra Chola's Territories c. 1030 CE

Reign 1012–1044 CE

Title Parakesari, Yuddhamalla

Capital Thanjavur

Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Queen Tribhuvana Mahadeviyar

Pancavan Madeviyar

Viramadevi

Children Rajadhiraja Chola I

Rajendra Chola II

Virarajendra Chola

Arulmolinangayar

Ammangadevi

Rajendra Chola IFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Rajendra Chola" redirects here. For Rajendra Chola II, see Rajendra Chola II.

Rajendra Chola I (Rajendra Chola the Great) (Tamil: �தலா� இராேச�திரேசாழ�) was the son of Rajaraja Chola I and was one of the greatest rulers of Tamil Choladynasty of India. He succeeded his father in 1014 CE as the Chola emperor. During his reign, heextended the influences of the already vast Chola empire up to the banks of the river Ganges in thenorth and across the ocean. Rajendra’s territories extended coastal Burma, the Andaman andNicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Maldives, conquered the kings of Srivijaya (Sumatra, Java andMalay Peninsula in South East Asia) and Pegu islands with his fleet of ships. He defeatedMahipala, the Pala king of Bengal and Bihar, and to commemorate his victory he built a newcapital called Gangaikonda Cholapuram. The Cholas became one of the most powerful dynastiesin Asia during his reign. The Tamil Chola armies exacted tribute from Thailand and the Khmerkingdom of Cambodia. Like the predecessors of the Cholas, the Pallavas and thecontemporaneous Pandiyans, the Cholas too under Raja Raja I the father of Rajendra and thenRajendra Chola I too undertook several expeditions to occupy territories outside Indian shores. Ofthese kings, it was Rajendra who made extensive overseas conquests of territories like theAndamans, Lakshadweepa, wide areas of Indo China (Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos,Indonesia and Modern Vietnam) and indeed, Burma (**). In fact, Rajendra Chola I was the firstIndian king to take his armies overseas and make conquests of these territories, even though thereis epigraphical evidence of Pallava presence in these very areas, but it is not known that Burma andIndo-China were subordinate to them, as they were under Rajendra and his successors up toKulothunga I.

He also built a temple for Siva at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, similar in design to the TanjoreBrihadisvara temple built by Rajaraja Chola and expanded the Pathirakali Amman Temple andKoneswaram temples of Trincomalee. He assumed titles Parakesari and Yuddhamalla.

Contents

1 Co-regent

2 Ascension and early reign

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Predecessor Rajaraja Chola

Successor Rajadhiraja Chola I

Father Rajaraja Chola

Born Unknown

Died 1044 CE

A portrait of Rajendra Chola I.

2 Ascension and early reign

3 Military conquests

3.1 Early campaigns3.2 Invasion of Sri Lanka

3.3 Pandyas and Cheras3.4 Chalukyas Wars

3.5 Expedition to the Ganges

3.6 Overseas conquests3.7 Closing years

4 Social work5 Gangaikonda Cholapuram

6 Officials

7 Personal life and family8 Sri Kalahasti Temple

9 Historic Novels Featuring Rajendra Chola I10 Notes

11 References

12 External links

Co-regent

Rajaraja Chola I had made the crown prince Rajendra co-regent in 1012.[1] Both son and father reigned as equalsduring the final few years of Rajaraja's life. Rajendra was at the forefront of some of Rajaraja's campaigns such asthose against Vengi and Kalinga towards the end of his reign.Rajendra is also famous for making rock cut raths.

Ascension and early reign

Rajendra formally ascended the Chola throne in 1014 CE, two years after his installation as the Co Regent. Early in his reign in 1018 CE he installed his

eldest son Rajadhiraja Chola I as yuvaraja (Co-regent).[1] Rajadhiraja continued to rule alongside his father for the next 26 years. The son ruled in fullregal status as the father. This practice was probably adapted initially to obviate disputed succession.

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List of Chola kings

Early Cholas

Elara Chola · 235 BC – 161BC

Ilamcetcenni · Karikala Chola

Nedunkilli ·

Killivalavan · Kopperuncholan

Kocengannan · Perunarkilli

Interregnum (c.200–848)

Medieval Cholas

Vijayalaya Chola848–

871(?)

Aditya I 871–907

Parantaka Chola I 907–950

Gandaraditya 950–957

Arinjaya Chola 956–957

Sundara Chola 957–970

Uttama Chola 970–985

Rajaraja Chola I 985–1014

Rajendra Chola I1012–

1044

Rajadhiraja Chola1018–

1054

The system of choosing a successor in the lifetime and associating him in the discharge of administrative duties is an important aspect of Cholaadministration. The princes who had come of age were appointed in various positions of authority in the different provinces of the empire according to theindividual's aptitude and talent. Those who distinguished themselves in these positions were then chosen as heir apparent. In some cases, the eldest sonwas overlooked in favour of a more talented younger son.

Military conquests

Early campaigns

Rajendra’s records include the many campaigns he carried on behalf of Rajaraja from c. 1002 CE These includethe conquest of the Rashtrakuta country and region around the current northwestern Karnataka state, SouthernMaharashtra up to Kolhapur and Pandharpur. Rajendra also led campaigns against the Western ChalukyaSatyasraya and his successor Jayasimha-II by crossing the river Tungabhadra, carried the war into the heart of theChalukya country and attacked their capital. He overran large parts of the Chalukyan territory including Yedatore(alarge part of the Raichur district between the Krishna and the Tungabhadra), Banavasi in the north-west of Mysore,before taking a tour of the capital Mannaikadakkam (Manyakheta). Both the kings were forced to flee from theircapital into the western ghats with the Chola emperor erecting a Siva temple at Bhatkal after completing his victoryand levying tribute on the vanquished Chalukya kings. He also conquered Kollipakkai, modern day Kulpak locatedto the north of Hyderabad in present day Andhra Pradesh. Here is an excerpt of his inscription(original in Tamil)from Kolar, Karnataka:

“In the 8th year of the reign of Kopparakesarivanmar sri Rajendra Sola Deva, who,-

while the goddess of Fortune, having become constant, increased, and while the goddess of

the great Earth, the goddess of Victory in battle and the matchless goddess of Fame, havingbecome his great queens, rejoiced-that in his extended lifetime, conquered with his great

war-like army Idaiturai-nadu, Vanavasi shut in by a fence of continuous forests;Kollipakkai, whose walls were surrounded by sulli trees; Mannaikkadakkam whose

fortification was unapproachable;..[2] ”

Invasion of Sri Lanka

See also: Chola occupation of Sri Lanka (993-1077)

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1054

Rajendra Chola II1051–1063

Virarajendra Chola1063–1070

Athirajendra Chola1067–

1070

Later Cholas

Kulothunga Chola I1070–

1120

Vikrama Chola1118–1135

Kulothunga Chola II1133–1150

Rajaraja Chola II1146–

1173

Rajadhiraja Chola II1166–1178

Kulothunga CholaIII

1178–1218

Rajaraja Chola III1216–

1256

Rajendra Chola III1246–

1279

Chola society

Chola government

Chola military · Chola Navy

Chola art · Chola literature

Solesvara Temples

Poompuhar · Uraiyur

Melakadambur

To complete the task begun by his father, (for many reasons Raja Raja Chola I was able to conquer only half of theSri Lanka in his time) of conquering the island of Srilanka, Rajendra invaded the island in 1018 CE As a result ofthe campaign, Rajendra claimed to have captured the regal jewels of the Pandya kings, which Parantaka I tried invain to capture. Rajendra also captured the crown of the Sinhala king, his Queen and daughter. This was becausethey were a part of the sinhalese government. The Sinhala king Mahinda V was taken prisoner and transported tothe Chola country" The same way son of pandu(arjuna) brought drupada.". He was held prisoner for over twelveyears and died in captivity. However, Mahavamsa records indicates that Chola invasion and conquest of Lanka asa carnage wrought by the pillaging Chola army in the Sinhala country. The Sinhala hero Vijayabahu the Great whovanquished Cholas from Sri Lanka made every possible effort to restore what Cholas destroyed. Chola inscriptionsspeak about the fight between the Cholas and the Sinhalas mainly due to the fact that the traders from Tamilcountry had been looted, imprisoned and killed for years together, in return for which the Cholas sent their army toinvade, occupy and control the island of Sri Lanka. An excerpt of his inscription from Kolar, Karnataka:

“In the 8th year of the reign of Kopparakesarivanmar sri Rajendra Sola Devar,

who-..conquered with his great war-like army Idaiturai-nadu, Vanavasi..etc.-..the crown of the king of Ilam(Ceylon), and the more beautiful crown of his queen; the

beautiful crown and the necklace of Indra, which the king of the south (the Pandya) had

previously surrendered to the kings of Ilam; the whole of Iramandalam surrounded by the

clear sea;..[2] ”

Mahinda’s son Kassapa became the centre of Sihalese resistance against the Tamil Power. The war between theCholas and the Sinhalese raged. The Cholas prevailed over the Sinhalas and re-established their control whichlasted till the time of Kulothunga Chola III.

Remains of a number of Hindu temples damaged by the Sinhalas after the end of Tamil occupation in Sri Lankahave been discovered around the Polonnaruwa area attesting to the presence of the Tamil army.

In 1041 CE Rajendra had to lead another expedition into Sri Lanka to quell the continuing attacks against theChola army by Vikramabahu. Vikramabahu died soon after and anarchy reigned outside the Chola territories. Anassortment of adventurers including Sinhalese, dispossessed Pandya princes and even a certain Jagaitpala fromdistance Kanauj asserted authority over portions of the island. Chola army fought and defeated them all. Thus,Rajendra Chola was able to fulfill his father's dream to bring the whole Sri Lanka under Chola territory.

Pandyas and Cheras

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Melakadambur

Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Thanjavur

Tiruvarur · Telugu Cholas

In 1018, Rajendra made a triumphal march at the head of his army through the Pandya and Cheras (Kerala)

countries.[1] Rajendra’s Tiruvalangadu grants claim that he …’took possession of the bright spotless pearls, seedsof the fame of the Pandya kings’ and that ‘…the fearless Madurantaka (Rajendra) crossed the mountains and in afierce battle brought ruin upon the Chera kings. It is doubtful whether Rajendra added any additional territory to hisempire through these campaigns as these have already been conquered by Rajaraja very early in his reign.

Rajendra appointed one of his sons as viceroy with the title Jadavarman Sundara Chola-Pandya with Madurai as the headquarters of the Viceroyalty.

Chalukyas Wars

C. 1021 Rajendra had to turn his attention towards the Western Chalukyas. In 1015 Jayasimha II became the Western Chalukya king. Soon after hisascension, he tried to recover the losses suffered by his predecessor Satyasraya in the hands of the Cholas, who has fled his capital, unable to withstandthe Chola onslaught, but had been graciously restored to the throne by Raja Raja I and became a tribute paying subordinate. Initially Jayasimha II was

successful as Rajendra was busy with his campaigns against the Pandyas and in Sri Lanka.[3]

Jayasimha also decided to involve himself in the affairs of the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi. After the demise of the Vengi king Vimaladitya, Jayasimha

threw his support behind Vijayaditya VII against the claims of Rajaraja Narendra, another of Vimaladitya’s sons by the Chola princess Kundavai.[3]

Rajendra naturally had his affinity towards Rajaraja, his nephew (for Kundavai was Rajendra’s sister). A civil war ensued between Vijayaditya and

Rajaraja. However with the help of Rejendra, Rajraja Narendra was soon able to defeat the forces of Vijayaditya.[4]

Rajendra followed the same tactic adopted by his illustrious father of sending two armies, one to Vengi and the other to the Chalukyan capital itself.

Rajendra’s forces met Jayasimha in the western front and defeated him in the battle of Maski.[3] Rajendra's forces also crossed swords with theChalukyas at Kollippakkai near Mannaikadakkam (Manyakheta), the capital of Jayasimha-II. Many of Jayasimha-II's generals, called Mahasamantasand Dandanayakas paid with their lives for the intransigence of their inept king, as described in the Tiruvalangadu plates of Rajendra I. Rajendra routedJayasimha thoroughly with the result the Chalukya king ran away from his capital and was forced to flee and rule from Etagiri.Rajendra Chola I describeshis victory over Jayasimha as under: "the seven and a half lakshas of Iratta-padi, (which was) strong by nature, (through the conquest of which)immeasurable fame arose,[7] (and which he took from) Jayasimha, who, out of fear (and) full of vengeance, turned his back at Muyangi andhid himself" . This war is extensively described in the inscriptions of Rajendra Chola I at the Raja Rajesvara Temple, Thanjavur.

Rajaraja Narendra had his long delayed coronation in Vengi after the return of the triumphant expedition to the Ganges in 1022 CE and Rajendra gavehis daughter Ammanga in marriage to Rajaraja.

In 1031 CE, the Western Chalukyas invaded Vengi and drove Rajaraja Narendra into exile and installed Vijayaditya as the Vengi king. Rajaraja onceagain sought Chola help in regaining his throne. Rajendra Chola deputed his able son Rajadhiraja I as head of the Chola army which invaded the Vengiand in a bloody battle near Kalidandi, pushed back Vijayaditya and his Western Chalukya ally. Rajaraja Narendra regained his throne in 1035 CE

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Due to his consistent and complete vanquishing of the Chalukyas under Satyashraya and Jayasimha-II along with their feudatories, the Kadambas,Hoysalas, Banas, Vaidumbas and the Gangas etc. and the establishment of control over Kannada country, Rajendra I had famous titles like MudikondaChozhan (crown prince), 'Jayasimha Saraban' (the vanquisher of Jayasimha), Mannaikonda Sozhan (the King who took possession ofMannai(kadakkam) i.e. Chalukyan capital of Manyakheta – called Mannaikadakkam in Chola annals), Irattapadikonda Sozhan, the king who conqueredIrattapadi or the land of the Rashtrakutas (later usurped by the Chalukyas), Nirupathivaagaran (the king who subdued Hoysala Nrupathunga and hissuccessors).

A few years before his death, the ageing Rajendra Chola also again invaded the Chalukyan capital of Manyakheta due to Chalukya Jayasimha-II and hissuccessor Somesvara I's interference in the Chola territories of Nulambavadi and Gangavadi in Kannada country when they attacked a Chola post andtried to forcibly collect revenues from farmers. A Chola outpost was attacked leading to a resounding reply by the Chola forces first under Rajendra I,following which the command was taken by his able son and co-regent Rajadhiraja Chola (called Vijayarajendra in Tamil inscriptions about this episode).Rajadhiraja promptly attacked Chalukyan positions in Kogali and Kadambalige, after which he invaded the Chalukyan capital of Manyakheta itself,disposing and probably fatally wounding Jayasimha-II and dispossessing him of his queen, and either decapitating or killing several ChalukyanDandanayakas and Mahasamantas near modern Chitradurga. This was the first full-fledged war between the Cholas and Chalukyas in which RajadhirajaChola took the command of the Chola army in which he shone and proved his capabilities to his eager father(***) As a gift to his father, Rajadhiraja orVijayarajendra brought two Dwarapalakas from Chalukya country which were initially placed at the big temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, of whichone is still standing at the Sarabeshwarar temple in Tirubhuvanam, which was built by a later Chola king Kulothunga III. The other Dwarapalaka is in themuseum of the Big Temple in Tanjore. The above episode in detail has been mentioned in the inscriptions of Rajendra Chola I and his son Rajadhiraja atthe Big Temple, Thanjavur(***).

This subjugation of the Chalukyas would intensify conflict between both empires with the Chalukyas to suffer more defeats at the hands of the successorsof Rajendra I in the coming years(***). The victories in war with the Chalukyas would enable to Cholas to gain much riches, gold, jewellery, cavalryitems like horses, elephants and armaments in addition to vast sums of cash which were ceded by the Chalukya kings as tribute to the Chola emperors,who graciously restored them their empires and re-integrated them with their wives, children etc.(***).

Despite founding the new Chola capital of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Rajendra I was unfailing in according respect to his predecessor's achievements,especially those of his illustrious father Raja Raja I by placing inscriptions of his achievements only at the Big Temple in Thanjavur and not atGangaikonda Cholapuram. This practice was kept up by the succeeding Chola kings, with all of them getting coronated at Gangaikonda Cholapuram andthe neighbouring ceremonial site of Mudigonda Sozhapuram or Ayirattali but placing inscriptions only at the Big Temple in Thanjavur.

For his conquest of territories in the Ganges-Hooghly belt on the North and Eastern part of India as well as his victories over the adversaries in Indo-China (Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia), Rajendra Chola I earned the famous title of Poorvadesamum, Gangaiyum KadaramumKonda Ayyan(***).

Expedition to the Ganges

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Main article: Chola expedition to North India

With both the Western and Eastern Chalukya fronts subdued, Rajendra’s armies undertook an extraordinary expedition. C. 1019 CE Rajendra’s forcescontinued to march through Kalinga to the river Ganges. The Emperor himself advanced up to the river Godavari to protect the rear of the expeditionary

force. The Chola army eventually reach the Pala kingdom of Bengal where they met Mahipala and defeated him.[5]

According to the Tiruvalangadu Plates, the campaign lasted less than two years in which many kingdoms of the north felt the might of the Chola army.The inscriptions further claim that Rajendra defeated ‘…the armies of Ranasura and entered the land of Dharmapala and subdued him and thereby hereached the Ganges and caused the water river to be brought by the conquered kings’ back to the Chola country. The new conquests opened up newroots for the Cholas to head for distant lands like Burma by land (through what are now modern Orissa, West Bengal, Assam and Bangladesh). Manyinscriptions of chola do refer to the chola control over provinces of north like mathura(vadamadurai), kanyakubja(kannaikucchi or kannauj) andsindhu(sind). This is possible because of chola domination of both the seas on east and west.

It is true that Rajendra's army defeated the kings of Sakkarakottam and Dhandabhukti and Mahipala. These territories were initially added to thekingdom, while later they had the status of tribute paying subordinates and trade partners with the Chola Kingdom, an arrangement that lasted till thetimes of Kulothunga-III and to a limited extent, of Raja Raja-III too. It was undoubtedly an exhibition of the power and might of the Chola empire to thenorthern kingdoms. But the benevolent leadership of the Cholas treated them in a benevolent manner and did not permanently annexe them to the Chola

dominions, while at the same time acting firmly to nip in the bud any ill-treatment of people from Tamil country.[6]

Overseas conquests

Main article: South-East Asia campaign of Rajendra Chola I

Between the 11th and the 14th year of Rajendra’s reign c. 1025, the Chola Navy crossed the ocean and attacked the Srivijaya kingdom of SangramaVijayatungavarman. Kadaram, the capital of the powerful maritime kingdom, was sacked and the king taken captive. Along with Kadaram, Pannai in

present day Sumatra and Malaiyur in the Malayan peninsula were attacked. Kedah (now in modern Malaysia) too was occupied.[7]

“In the 22nd year of the reign of Kopparakesarivanmar sri Rajendra Sola Deva, who,-..conquered with his great war-like army

Idaiturai-nadu, Vanavasi..etc.-and who-having sent many ships in the midst of the billowing sea and having [captured] Sangirama-vijaiyattungopanma, the

king of Kidaram, along with his elephants..,took [the large heap of treasures that he had rightfully amassed], the Vichchadira-

ttorana at the war-gate of the enemy's extensive city, the wicket door set with jewels of great splendour, and the door set withlarge jewels;the extensive sri-Vijaiyam; Pannai watered by the river; the ancient Malaiyur, whose fortress was on a high hill;

Māyirudingam, the moat around which was the deep sea; Ilangāsōbam, of undaunted heroic deeds; Māppappālam, havingabundant waters as it guard; Mēvilambangam, which had fine fortifications as its defence; Valaippandūru, situated in the

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midst of green jungles; Talaittakolam, praised by great men versed in the sciences; Madamalingam, of steady heroic deeds;

Nilamuri-desam, whose fierce strength was increased by enmity; Mānakkavāram having gardens, in which the flowers were

full of honey; and Kidaram, of fierce strength, guarded by men who wore ankle-rings;..[8] ”

Sangarama Vijayatungavarman was the son of Mara Vijayatungavarman of the Sailendra dynasty. Srivijaya kingdom was located near Palembang inSumatra. There are no records to explain the nature of and the reason for this naval expedition. The Sailendra dynasty had been in good relations with theChola Empire during the period of Rajaraja Chola I. Rajaraja encouraged Mara Vijayatungavarman to build the Chudamani Vihara at Nagapattinam.Rajendra confirmed this grant in the Anaimangalam grants showing that the relationship with Srivijaya was still continued be friendly. The exact cause ofthe quarrel that caused the naval war between Cholas and Srivijaya remains unknown.

The Cholas had an active trade relationship with the eastern island. Moreover the Srivijaya kingdom and the South Indian empires were theintermediaries in the trade between China and the countries of the Western world. Both the Srivijaya and Cholas had active dialogue with the Chineseand sent diplomatic missions to China.

The Chinese records of the Song Dynasty show that first mission to China from Chu-lien (Chola) reached that country in 1015 CE and the king of theircountry was Lo-ts’a-lo-ts’a (Rajaraja). Another embassy from Shi-lo-cha Yin-to-loChu-lo (Sri Raja Indra Chola) reached China in 1033 CE and athird in 1077 CE during Kulothunga Chola I. The commercial intercourse between Cholas and the Chinese were continuous and extensive.

One reason could be a trade dispute stemming from some attempts by Srivijaya to throw some obstacle between the flourishing trade between China andthe Cholas. Whatever the actual cause of this expedition, it is difficult to believe that, even if we take all the achievements narrated in Rajendra’sinscriptions are accepted as literally true, the campaign led to any permanent territories rather than a vague acceptance of the Chola suzerainty bySrivijaya. Sangaram Vijayatungavarman was restored to the throne at his agreement to pay periodic tribute to Rajendra.

Tanjavur inscriptions also state that the king of Kambhoja (Kampuchea) requesting Rajendra’s help in defeating enemies of his Angkor kingdom.

Closing years

Rajendra’s long reign saw almost continuous campaigns and conflicts trying to hold his huge empire together. Rajendra’s sons carried out most of thecampaigns during the late period of his reign. The emperor refrained from taking the field personally allowing his sons to win glory and distinction.

Rebellions in the Pandya and Kerala countries called for severe action and Rajadhiraja Chola I suppressed them. He also undertook a campaign in SriLanka to quell a rebellion instigated by Kassapa.

Social work

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Rajendra Chola was very pious and he converted many of the temples that were originally brick structures into stone shrines just like his mother. Here isan excerpt of his inscription(original in Tamil) from Kolar district in Karnataka:

“In the 22nd year of the reign of Kopparakesarivanmar alias sri Rajendra Sola Deva who conquered with his great warlike

army the great Idaiturai nadu, Vanavasi..

and having captured Sangirama Vijaiyattungapanma..etc.-

According to the command of sri Rajendra Sola Deva, the general Uttama Sola Brahmamarayan alias Marayan Arumoli, sonof Rajendra Sola Brahmamarayan alias Narkanna sri Krishnan Raman, of Keralantaka chaturvedimangalam..caused to be

built [of stone] what had formerly been built of brick in the temple of Pidariyar Kuvalalam in the Kuvalala nadu.. He alsogranted a perpetual lamp known by the name of Janavarkalpagam to be burned before the goddess for as long as the sun and

the moon endure.[8] ”

Kuvalala nadu was the name given to the area around Kolar region.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Main article: Gangaikonda Cholapuram

To commemorate his celebrated military conquests over the Chalukyas, their subordinates and feudatories like the Hoysalas, Nolamba Pallavas,Uchhangi Pandyas etc., the Paramaras or Maharashtra/Gujarat area, Palas of Bengal, Ilam, Madurai and the Cheras as well as his famed northerncampaign to the Ganges, Rajendra assumed the title of Gangaikonda Cholan and other famous titles like Mudigondasozhan, Irattapadikonda Sozhanamong scores of other titles of his and had the Siva Temple Gangaikondacholapuram built and consecrated. Soon after this, the capital was moved fromThanjavur to Gangaikondacholapuram. Rajendra probably founded the city of Gangaikondacholapuram before his 17th year.

Most of the Chola kings who succeeded Rajendra were crowned here. They retained it as their capital, reoriented and trained the efficient Chola army. Itis not known whether the capital was moved to the new location for strategic purposes, as the old capital Thanjavur had very strong fortifications.

= Rajendra’s legacy ==

The closing years of Rajendra forms the most splendid period of Cholas.[9] The extent of the empire was the widest and the military and naval prestige

was at its highest.[10] The emperor was ably assisted by his sons and other members of his family. The Chola imperialism was a benevolent one attestedby the presence of the traditional rulers in the Pandya and Kerala countries and the act of reinstating the Srivijaya king after his defeat.

Officials

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Senapati Narakkan Sri Krishnan Raman alias Rajendra-Chola-Brahmamarayan of Keralantaka Chaturvedimangalam.[11] The others include Irayiravan

Pallavaraiyan who also served during the reign of his father.[12] Raman Arumoziyaan son of Krishnan Raman called as Uththamasola brahmarayan,became senapati after Krishnan Raman.

Personal life and family

Rajendra Cholan I, the only son of Rajaraja Cholan, was born on the Tamil month - Margalzhi Thingal and on the day of Thiruvathirai. As per theinscripts of Thiruvalangadu, he was originally named as Maduranthagan. He spent most of his childhood in Palayarai and was brought up by his father'ssister Kundavai and great grand mother Sembian Madevi in the saivisam way.

Rajendra Chola had many queens. Some of them mentioned in inscriptions are Tribuvana or Vanavan Mahadeviar, Mukkokilan, Panchavan Mahadevi,ArindhavanMadevi and Viramadevi who committed sati on Rajendra’s death. The siddanta saravali of trilochana sivacharya who was a contemporary ofKulothunga III says that king Rajendran was a good writer and that he did compose hymns in praise of Lord Shiva. The temple inscriptions as well assthalapuranam of tirumakaral a sivan temple near kanchipuram, say that the emperor was waylaid by lord sivan who appeared to him as a goldencrocodoile and enslaved him there. For this reason lord goes by the name udumbeeswarar in the temple of makaral. After being blessed with a vision, theemperor donated gold for regular conduct of festivals like tiruvadirai and kumbabishekham in the temple.

The emperor is also known to have personally participated with love in the saiva agama worship rituals of thetemple.

Of his sons, three followed him on the Chola throne in succession. Rajadhiraja Chola, Rajendra Chola II andVirarajendra Chola of whom we do not know the identity of the Madurai viceroy Jatavarman Sundara CholaPandya. Rajendra Cholan had two daughters - named Pranaar Arul Mozhi Nangai and Ammanga Devi.Ammanga Devi was married to Rajaraja Narendran, son of Kundavai (RajaRaja Cholan's daughter) and thechalukya king Vimaladithan.

Sri Kalahasti Temple

Sri Kalahasti temple, which is the only shrine for the God of Wind in India. Constructed by Rajendra Chola,Vayu is incarnated as Lord Shiva and worshipped as Kalahasteeswara.

Historic Novels Featuring Rajendra Chola I

1. The famed novelist of Tamil Literature, Akilan has penned a novel by name "Vengayin Maindhan". In

this novel, Akilan gives insight about the life and achievement of the great Rajendra Chola. This novel

3/7/13 Rajendra Chola I - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajendra_Chola_I 11/12

Gangaikondacholapuram c. 1030 C.E.had won the Sahitya Academy Award.

2. Another veteran historical Tamil novelist Vembu Vikiraman had penned a novel, "Gangapuri Kavalan".

Rajendra Chola is the hero of the novel.

3. Sandilyan, the veteran historical Tamil Novelist has penned Mannan Magal novel taking the period of Rajendra Chola I's War Expedition toGanges.

Notes

1. ̂a b c See Sastri, K. A. N., A History of South India, p165

2. ̂a b Epigraphia Carnatica, Volume 10, Part 1, page 32

3. ̂a b c See Sastri, K. A. N., A History of South India, p166

4. ^ Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, page 70

5. ^ See Keay, John, p220

6. ^ See Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1935). The CōĻas, pp 209 – 212. Sastri bases his argument on the fact that these regions were not included in theinscriptions of his successors, though successive Chola Kings from Rajaraja I to Kulothunga III have assumed titles as 'Kings who conquered Ilam',reinforcing the fact that off and on, rebellions were being quelled and Chola authority on the island of 'Ilangai' was maintained, despite a later king of Lankasending an embassy to the Chola adversary Vikramaditya VI of the Chalukya dynasty, subsequent to which another expedition to Ilangai caused the Sinhalaking to flee to Rohana hills on the South Coast of that country.

7. ^ Epigraphia Carnatica, Volume 10, Part 1, page 41

8. ̂a b Epigraphia Carnatica, Volume 10, Part 1, page 39-40

9. ^ See Schmidt, K, p32

10. ^ See Rothermund and Kulke, p109

11. ^ Śrīnidhiḥ: perspectives in Indian archaeology, art, and culture : Shri K.R. Srinivasan festschrift, page 358

12. ^ South Indian shrines: illustrated, page 53

Preceded by

Rajaraja Chola IChola

1012–1044 CE

Succeeded by

Rajadhiraja

Chola

References

Keay, John (2001). India: A History. New York: Grove Press. ISBN 0-8021-3797-0.Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1935). The Cholas, University of Madras, Madras (Reprinted 1984).

Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1955). A History of South India, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002).

3/7/13 Rajendra Chola I - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajendra_Chola_I 12/12

Rothermund, Dietmar; Kulke, Hermann (1998). A history of India. New York: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-15482-0.Schmidt, Karl Ludwig (1997). An Atlas and Survey of South Asian History (Sources and Studies in World History). Armonk, N.Y: M.E.

Sharpe. ISBN 1-56324-334-2.Majumdar, R. C. (1961). The Overseas Expeditions of King Rājendra Chola (http://www.jstor.org/stable/3249234) , Artibus Asiae 24 (3/4),

pp. 338–342. Artibus Asiae Publishers.

R. Hall, Kenneth (October 1975). Khmer Commercial Development and Foreign Contacts under Sūryavarman I(http://www.jstor.org/stable/3632140) , Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient 18 (3), pp. 318–336. Brill Publishers.

[1] (http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/South_Indian_Inscriptions)Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1955), A History of South India – From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar (Reprinted 2003). *

Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1935)Śrīnidhiḥ: perspectives in Indian archaeology, art, and culture : Shri K.R. Srinivasan festschrift By K. R. Srinivasan, K. V. Raman

Epigraphia Indica, Volume 22 By Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar, Archaeological Survey of India, India. Dept. of Archaeology, India.

Archaeological SurveyEpigraphia Indica, Volume 4 Volumes 13–14 of [Reports] (1896–1897): New imperial series, India Archæological Dept By India. Archæological

Dept

External links

http://www.lakdiva.org/coins/

இராேச�திர ேசாழன�� 25 ெபய�க� (25 Names of Rajendra chola) (http://www.ponniyinselvan.in/articles-f6/25-names-of-rajendra-

chola-t26503.html#p107953)

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Categories: Chola dynasty Tamil monarchs Indian monarchs Hindu monarchs 1040s deaths Tamil people

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