1,000 Years of Rajendra Chola I's Maritime Expedition | 29 Jul 2025

Source: IE 

Why in News?

The Prime Minister visited Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu, during the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival, and the Brihadisvara Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site).  

• He highlighted the Chola Empire’s democratic traditions, and released a commemorative coin marking 1000 years of Rajendra Chola I’s Gangetic expedition. 
  • The Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival commemorated 1,000 years of Rajendra Chola I's legendary maritime expedition to Southeast Asia and also marked the rich Tamil Shaiva Bhakti tradition. 

What are the Key Facts About Rajendra Chola I? 

• About: Rajendra Chola I (1014 to 1044 AD), son of Rajaraja Chola I, was one of the greatest rulers of the Chola Empire.  
  • He was the first Indian king to lead overseas military expeditions, extending Chola influence across South and Southeast Asia.  
• Titles and Legacy: He assumed titles like Gangaikonda Cholan (after defeating the Palas in Bengal) and Kadaram Kondan (after naval victories in the Srivijaya Empire), Pandita Cholan, and Mudikondan. 
  • Founded a new capital, Gangaikondacholapuram, to commemorate his northern conquests. 
  • Built Brihadisvara Temple (Gangaikondacholeeswaram) and Chola Gangam Lake (Ponneri) in present-day Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu. 
• Military and Naval Prowess:  He reasserted control over Chera and Pandya regions; defeated Jayasimha II of Western Chalukyas, Tungabhadra River became the northern frontier. 
  • His conquests included Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Kedah, Tambralinga, and Burma, establishing one of India's earliest blue-water navies. 
• Trade, Culture, & Administration: Under his rule, Tamil merchant guilds like Manigramam and Ayyavole thrived, fostering trade and cultural exchange with China and Southeast Asia.  
  • Promoted Shaivism, patronized Chidambaram’s Nataraja Temple, yet maintained religious tolerance toward Vaishnavism and Buddhism. 

What are the Key Features of Chola Administration & Architecture? 

Chola Administration 

• Centralised Monarchy with Decentralised Governance: The Chola Empire maintained a centralised monarchy, headed by king and supported by a structured ministerial council, with high officials called Peruntaram and lower ones as Siruntaram.  
  • Capitals like Tanjore and Gangaikondacholapuram symbolised imperial power, and royal tours helped improve governance. 
• Provincial and Local Administration: The empire was divided into Mandalams (provinces), Valanadus, Nadus and Urs (villages).  
  • Towns or Nagarams were run by merchant guilds (Nagarattar), while Nattar governed Nadus and Periyanattar managed Valanadus. Local self-governance was strong, especially at the village level. 
• Village Self-Governance & Early Democratic Practices: Village assemblies- Sabhas (Brahmin villages) and Urs (non-Brahmin villages) had real power over revenue, justice, irrigation, and temples.  
  • A unique Kudavolai system (palm-leaf ballot), where the names of eligible candidates were placed in a pot and drawn by a child in public ensured transparent village elections. 
  • Eligibility to contest included owning tax-paying land (≥ ¼ veli), being aged 30–70, local residency, and knowledge of Vedas or administration. 
  • Disqualifications included alcoholism, crime, unpaid debts, kinship with officials, or prior misconduct.  
    • Accountability was ensured through annual audits. 
  • However, the system excluded women, landless labourers, and lower castes, reflecting its hierarchical and non-inclusive nature. 
• Revenue Administration: The revenue system was managed by a department called Puravuvarithinaikkalam, with land surveys and classification.  
  • Temple lands and Ur Nattam (residential zones) were tax-free. The main source of revenue included land revenue (1/6th of produce), paid in cash or kind.  
  • Other taxes included tolls, customs, profession tax, marriage dues, salt pans, etc. Kulottunga I abolished tolls and earned the title "Sungam Tavirtta Cholan". 
  • Expenditure included  royal court, army, irrigation, roads, canals. 
• Military Administration: Cholas maintained a strong 4-fold army: Infantry, Cavalry, Elephants, Navy and key forces included Kaikkolaperumpadai (royal army) and Velaikkarar (bodyguards).  
  • Training was held at Kadagams (cantonments). The navy was powerful, securing Bay of Bengal dominance and influence in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. 
• Trade and Economic Administration: Internal trade was organized via powerful merchant guilds like Manigramam, Ayyavole, and Nanadesis.  
  • Urban merchant bodies (Nagarams) played a role in civic and economic governance. 
  • Chola ports like Puhar supported flourishing maritime trade with West Asia, China, and Southeast Asia. 
  • Exports included textiles, spices, gems and imports included luxury items, horses. Urban guilds (Nagarams) aided civic governance. 

Chola Art and Architecture:

• The Dravidian style of temple architecture reached its peak under the Cholas.   
  • The defining feature is the Vimana (tower over the sanctum). Temples typically included components like vimana, ardhamandapa, mahamandapa, and Nandimandapa (pavilion for Nandi). 
• Early examples include temples at Narthamalai, Kodumbalur, and Srinivasanallur. Major temples like the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur (by Rajaraja I), Gangaikondacholapuram (by Rajendra I), Airavatesvara Temple (Darasuram), and Kampaharesvara Temple (Tribhuvanam) show their architectural brilliance.  
• Chola temples like Tanjore and Gangaikondacholapuram are adorned with large, finely executed sculptures.  
  • The Chola bronze sculptures, especially the image of Nataraja (dancing Shiva), are globally renowned for their aesthetic beauty, grace, and craftsmanship. 
• Chola paintings were found on temple walls at Narthamalai and Tanjore, reflecting both religious and secular themes.