No, King Elara of Chola dynasty and Rajaraja Chola are not the same. They were two different rulers of the Chola dynasty who ruled at different times.

King Elara was a Sri Lankan ruler who invaded the Chola kingdom and defeated the reigning king at the time. He ruled the Chola kingdom from around 205 BC to 161 BC. Elara is known for his just and fair rule, and for his patronage of Buddhism.

Rajaraja Chola, on the other hand, was a king of the Chola dynasty who ruled from 985 AD to 1014 AD. He is considered one of the greatest rulers of the Chola dynasty, and is known for his military conquests, administrative reforms, and patronage of art and architecture.

Chola Dynasty and UPSC

The Chola dynasty is an important topic in the UPSC syllabus for both prelims and mains. Here are some key points to remember:

1. The Chola dynasty was one of the longest-ruling dynasties in Indian history, with a reign that lasted from the 9th century to the 13th century.

2. The Cholas were known for their naval power, and their empire extended from the southern tip of India to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and parts of Southeast Asia.

3. Under the Chola dynasty, Tamil culture flourished, with the development of literature, art, and architecture.

4. Some of the key rulers of the Chola dynasty include Rajaraja Chola, his son Rajendra Chola, and his grandson Rajadhiraja Chola.

5. The Chola dynasty declined in the 13th century due to a combination of internal conflicts and external invasions.

In conclusion, King Elara and Rajaraja Chola were two different rulers of the Chola dynasty who ruled at different times. The Chola dynasty is an important topic in the UPSC syllabus, and candidates should be familiar with its key rulers and achievements.

(Elara)
The Cholas Kingdom was situated between the Pennar and the Velar rivers were the most powerful of all three kingdoms namely Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas.
• Their chief centre of political power was at Uraiyar, a place famous for cotton trade.
• In the middle of second century B.C., a Chola king named Elara Conquered Sri Lanka and ruled over it for nearly 50 years. He was the first important Chola king.



(Rajaraja-1)

He Defeated Chera and Pandya Kings.

He Extended Chola empire all the way to Tungabadhra river.

He built the famous Brihadeshwara Temple at Tanjore (Saivism) and patronized a Buddhist monetary at Nagapattinam.