Naval prowess of Rajendra Chola I

Why in news?

Recently, PM visited Gangaikonda cholapuram released a Commemorative coin marking 1000 years of Rajendra chola I’s Gangetic expedition.

The Cholas (9^th and 13^th centuries CE) were one of the 3 major Tamil dynasties, along with the Cheras and Pandiyas.

• Rajendra chola I (1014 – 1044 AD) – He was one of the most powerful Emperor of chola dynasty succeeded his father Rajaraja chola I.

• He pioneered India’s first overseas military campaigns, spreading Chola dominance across South and Southeast Asia.
• Art & Artichecture – He Built a temple dedicated to lord shiva which named as Gangaikonda cholisvarar.
  • He shifted his capital from Thanjavur to the newly founded city of Gangaikondacholapuram.

• Inscriptions bearing the title Tirumanni Valara, linked to Rajendra Chola, were discovered near Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka.
• The presence of temples built in Tamil Chola architectural style and dedicated to gods like Shiva, Vishnu further illustrates the strong Chola influence in the region.
• Administration - One of the defining features of the Chola dynasty during his reign was the encouragement of Local self-governance.

• Military Expedition – He had control over the Chera and Pandya territories.
• He defeated Jayasimha II of the Western Chalukyas, establishing the Tungabhadra River as the northern boundary of his empire.
• Conquest of Pala Dynasty – He defeated Mahipala of pala dynasty.
• In order to commemorate his victory over the pala king, he assumed the title of Gangaikonda and founded the city of Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
• Naval Expedition – Rajendra chola has the existence of a well-organised fleet of ships and boats of various grades in Chola’s navy, serving both commercial and military purposes.
• Campaign against Elamandalam (Srilanka) – Rajendra Chola launched a naval campaign against the Sinhalese ruler Mahinda V and emerged victorious in the year 1017.
• Southeast Asia campaign – He extended his influence over south and southeast Asia.
• In 1025 CE, he led a naval expedition against the kadaram (Srivijaya Empire) Sangrama Vijayottungavarman and securing control over trade through the Malacca Strait.
• Inscriptions on the Tiruvalangadu copper plates mentioned the conquest of Kadaram.

The Karandai copper plates mention that the King of Kambhoja sent a victorious war chariot to Rajendra Chola as a gesture of friendship.

• Reign Extension - Across India, Maldives, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and Malaysia.
• Titles – Mudikonda chola (Crowned chola), Pandita cholan (Scholarly chola) Gangaikondan (conqueror of the Ganges),  Kadaram kondan (Conqueror of kadaram).

Reference

The Hindu | Tracing the naval prowess of Rajendra Chola I