Imperial Cholas | History for UPSC 2024 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

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South Indian Kingdoms
IMPERIAL CHOLAS
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South Indian Kingdoms
IMPERIAL CHOLAS
Geography
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South Indian Kingdoms
IMPERIAL CHOLAS
Geography
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South Indian Kingdoms
IMPERIAL CHOLAS
Geography Chronology
Imperial Cholas: 815 C.E. to 1280 C.E.
Pallavas: 275 C.E. to 897 C.E.
Pandyas: 6th to 10th centuries C.E.
Western Chalukyas: 973 C.E. to 1189 C.E.
Rashtrakutas: 755 C.E. to 975 C.E.
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South Indian Kingdoms
IMPERIAL CHOLAS
Geography Chronology
Imperial Cholas: 815 C.E. to 1280 C.E.
Pallavas: 275 C.E. to 897 C.E.
Pandyas: 6th to 10th centuries C.E.
Western Chalukyas: 973 C.E. to 1189 C.E.
Rashtrakutas: 755 C.E. to 975 C.E.
Imperial Cholas
After the decline of the Sangam period, the Cholas became feudatories in Uraiyur. They became prominent in the ninth century and established an 
empire comprising the major portion of South India. 
The founder of the Imperial Chola line was Vijayalaya. He was possibly a feudatory of the Pallava dynasty. Thousands of inscriptions found in the 
temples provide detailed information regarding the administration, society, economy and culture of the Chola period
Vijayalaya
? He benefitted out of an opportunity arising out of a conflict between the Pandya dynasty and Pallava dynasty in c. 850, captured Thanjavur from Muttarayar, and 
established the imperial line of the medieval Chola Dynasty.
? Thanjavur became the capital of the Imperial Chola Dynasty
? He captured Tanjore from Muttaraiyars in 815 C.E. and built a temple for Durga. 
Aditya I 
? The second Chola King, he caused the demise of the Pallava dynasty by defeating Aparajita and annexed Tondaimandalam and defeated the Pandyan dynasty 
of Madurai in 885 
? He occupied large parts of the Kannada country
? Had marital ties with the Western Ganga dynasty. 
Parantaka I (907 C.E.)
? He was Aditya I’s son and one of the important early Chola rulers. 
? He defeated the Pandyas and the ruler of Ceylon. 
? He defeated the Rashtrakuta dynasty under Krishna II in the battle of Vallala but suffered a defeat at the hands of the Rashtrakuta king Krishna III in the famous battle of 
Takkolam. 
? Parantaka I was a great builder of temples. 
? He also provided the vimana of the famous Nataraja temple at Chidambaram with a golden roof. 
? The two famous Uttiramerur inscriptions that give a detailed account of the village administration under the Cholas belong to his reign.