PPT: South India and The Chola Dynasty (800-1200 AD) | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


South India 
and The Chola 
Dynasty (800-
1200 AD)
Page 2


South India 
and The Chola 
Dynasty (800-
1200 AD)
Origins of the Chola Dynasty
1
3rd Century BCE
Earliest historical mention in Ashokan edicts 
as "Choda"
2
1st-3rd Century CE
Sangam literature period - Early Cholas ruled 
small territories
3
4th-8th Century CE
Period of decline - Pallava and Pandya 
dominance
4
850 CE
Vijayalaya Chola captures Thanjavur, 
founding Imperial Chola dynasty
The Cholas strategically leveraged the conflict between Pallavas and Pandyas to establish their independence. They chose 
the fertile Kaveri delta region as their base, providing them agricultural wealth that would fuel their imperial ambitions.
Page 3


South India 
and The Chola 
Dynasty (800-
1200 AD)
Origins of the Chola Dynasty
1
3rd Century BCE
Earliest historical mention in Ashokan edicts 
as "Choda"
2
1st-3rd Century CE
Sangam literature period - Early Cholas ruled 
small territories
3
4th-8th Century CE
Period of decline - Pallava and Pandya 
dominance
4
850 CE
Vijayalaya Chola captures Thanjavur, 
founding Imperial Chola dynasty
The Cholas strategically leveraged the conflict between Pallavas and Pandyas to establish their independence. They chose 
the fertile Kaveri delta region as their base, providing them agricultural wealth that would fuel their imperial ambitions.
Vijayalaya Chola: 
Founder of Imperial 
Cholas
The Strategic Rise (c. 850 CE)
A feudatory of the Pallava kingdom, Vijayalaya 
seized the opportunity during Pallava-Pandya 
conflicts to:
Capture Thanjavur from Muttaraiyar chieftains
Establish it as the Chola capital
Build the Nishumbhasudini (Durga) temple
Develop strategic alliances with local powers
This marked the rebirth of Chola power after 
centuries of obscurity.
Page 4


South India 
and The Chola 
Dynasty (800-
1200 AD)
Origins of the Chola Dynasty
1
3rd Century BCE
Earliest historical mention in Ashokan edicts 
as "Choda"
2
1st-3rd Century CE
Sangam literature period - Early Cholas ruled 
small territories
3
4th-8th Century CE
Period of decline - Pallava and Pandya 
dominance
4
850 CE
Vijayalaya Chola captures Thanjavur, 
founding Imperial Chola dynasty
The Cholas strategically leveraged the conflict between Pallavas and Pandyas to establish their independence. They chose 
the fertile Kaveri delta region as their base, providing them agricultural wealth that would fuel their imperial ambitions.
Vijayalaya Chola: 
Founder of Imperial 
Cholas
The Strategic Rise (c. 850 CE)
A feudatory of the Pallava kingdom, Vijayalaya 
seized the opportunity during Pallava-Pandya 
conflicts to:
Capture Thanjavur from Muttaraiyar chieftains
Establish it as the Chola capital
Build the Nishumbhasudini (Durga) temple
Develop strategic alliances with local powers
This marked the rebirth of Chola power after 
centuries of obscurity.
Expansion under Aditya I (8713907 AD)
Ascension
Succeeded his father Vijayalaya in 871 CE, continuing the 
expansionist policy
Defeat of Pallavas
Decisively defeated Pallava king Aparajita in battle, ending 
centuries of Pallava dominance
Territorial Gains
Annexed Tondaimandalam (northern Tamil Nadu), 
capturing the important city of Kanchipuram
Diplomatic Relations
Maintained peaceful relations with the Cheras to focus on 
consolidating eastern territories
Aditya I was a devout Shaivite who built numerous temples along the banks of the Kaveri River. His conquests gave the 
Cholas control over the entire eastern coast from Nellore to Cape Comorin (Kanyakumari).
Page 5


South India 
and The Chola 
Dynasty (800-
1200 AD)
Origins of the Chola Dynasty
1
3rd Century BCE
Earliest historical mention in Ashokan edicts 
as "Choda"
2
1st-3rd Century CE
Sangam literature period - Early Cholas ruled 
small territories
3
4th-8th Century CE
Period of decline - Pallava and Pandya 
dominance
4
850 CE
Vijayalaya Chola captures Thanjavur, 
founding Imperial Chola dynasty
The Cholas strategically leveraged the conflict between Pallavas and Pandyas to establish their independence. They chose 
the fertile Kaveri delta region as their base, providing them agricultural wealth that would fuel their imperial ambitions.
Vijayalaya Chola: 
Founder of Imperial 
Cholas
The Strategic Rise (c. 850 CE)
A feudatory of the Pallava kingdom, Vijayalaya 
seized the opportunity during Pallava-Pandya 
conflicts to:
Capture Thanjavur from Muttaraiyar chieftains
Establish it as the Chola capital
Build the Nishumbhasudini (Durga) temple
Develop strategic alliances with local powers
This marked the rebirth of Chola power after 
centuries of obscurity.
Expansion under Aditya I (8713907 AD)
Ascension
Succeeded his father Vijayalaya in 871 CE, continuing the 
expansionist policy
Defeat of Pallavas
Decisively defeated Pallava king Aparajita in battle, ending 
centuries of Pallava dominance
Territorial Gains
Annexed Tondaimandalam (northern Tamil Nadu), 
capturing the important city of Kanchipuram
Diplomatic Relations
Maintained peaceful relations with the Cheras to focus on 
consolidating eastern territories
Aditya I was a devout Shaivite who built numerous temples along the banks of the Kaveri River. His conquests gave the 
Cholas control over the entire eastern coast from Nellore to Cape Comorin (Kanyakumari).
Parantaka I (9073955 AD): The 
Consolidator
Major Achievements
Defeated Pandya ruler, earned title 
"Madirai Konda" (Captor of Madurai)
Conducted campaigns against Sri 
Lanka under King Kassapa V
Fought Rashtrakutas, faced defeat at 
Battle of Takkolam (949 CE)
Patronized arts, gilded Nataraja 
Temple roof with gold
Uthiramerur 
Inscriptions
These famous inscriptions detail the 
sophisticated village self-governance 
system established during Parantaka's 
reign - an early form of electoral 
democracy that would become a hallmark 
of Chola administration.
Despite facing a major setback against the Rashtrakutas, Parantaka I's long reign 
consolidated Chola power in the Tamil country and laid administrative foundations that 
would support the coming golden age.