Raja Raja Chola

Raja Raja Chola (also known as Rajaraja Chola I) was a Chola emperor who ruled in southern India during the 10th and 11th centuries. He is considered one of the greatest rulers in Indian history, and his reign is remembered for its cultural, economic, and military achievements.

Raja Raja Chola was born in 947 CE in Aipassi month on the day of Sadhayam star. He was the third son of Parantaka Sundara Chola and Vanavan Mahadevi, and was named Arulmozhi Varman. He was crowned as the king in 985 CE, after the death of his father.

During his reign, Raja Raja Chola conquered the kingdoms of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and the Cheras of western India. He also conducted successful military campaigns against the Pandyas in the south and the Chalukyas in the west. He was a patron of Tamil literature and built many temples and palaces, including the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Raja Raja Chola died in 1014 CE and was succeeded by his son Rajendra Chola.Raja Raja Chola was the third son of Parantaka Sundara Chola and Vanavan Mahadevi. He had two older brothers, Arinjaya Chola and Aditya Karikala, and a younger brother, Maravarman Rajadhiraja Chola. Raja Raja Chola had at least two queens, Aranthai Mahadevi and Thiripuvana Madeviyar, and several children, including his successor, Rajendra Chola.

Raja Raja Chola's father, Parantaka Sundara Chola, was a Chola king who ruled from 953 to 985 CE. He was the son of Sundara Chola, who had expanded the Chola kingdom and defeated the Rashtrakutas. Parantaka Sundara Chola continued his father's expansionist policies and conquered the kingdoms of Kerala and Kandalur Salai.

Raja Raja Chola's mother, Vanavan Mahadevi, was a princess from the Pandya kingdom. She was the daughter of Maduranthakan, a Pandya king, and was married to Parantaka Sundara Chola as part of a political alliance. Vanavan Mahadevi was also known as Sembiyan Mahadevi and was a patron of Tamil literatureRaja Raja Chola ruled the Chola kingdom, which was located in southern India and covered parts of present-day Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. The Chola kingdom was at the height of its power during Raja Raja Chola's reign, and he is known for expanding the kingdom's territory through military conquests.

Some of the major territories that Raja Raja Chola conquered and ruled over during his reign include:

Sri Lanka: Raja Raja Chola invaded and conquered the island of Sri Lanka in 993 CE, and established Chola control over the region.

The Maldives: Raja Raja Chola's navy also invaded and conquered the Maldives in the late 10th century, and the islands remained a part of the Chola empire for several decades.

The Cheras: The Chera kingdom was located in present-day Kerala and was a major power in western India. Raja Raja Chola defeated the Chera king and annexed the Chera kingdom into the Chola empire.

In addition to these conquests, Raja Raja Chola also conducted successful military campaigns against the Pandyas in the south and the Chalukyas in the west. By the end of his reign, the Chola kingdom was one of the largest and most powerful empires in IndiaRaja Raja Chola is known for his efficient and centralized rule. He established a powerful bureaucracy and implemented a number of administrative and economic reforms that helped to strengthen the Chola kingdom.

One of the key economic reforms implemented by Raja Raja Chola was the introduction of the kalanjis system, which was a land assessment and revenue collection system. Under this system, the land was divided into different categories based on its productivity, and the revenue collected was based on the size and productivity of the land. This system helped to increase the state's revenue and ensure a stable source of income for the government.

Raja Raja Chola also encouraged trade and commerce, and the Chola kingdom became a major trading center during his reign. The Cholas traded with countries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa, and the kingdom's ports were busy with ships from around the world.

In addition to these economic reforms, Raja Raja Chola also invested in infrastructure projects such as the construction of roads and ports, which helped to boost trade and commerce within the kingdom. Overall, Raja Raja Chola's policies contributed to the prosperity and growth of the Chola kingdom during his reign.Raja Raja Chola was a devout Hindu and he supported the promotion and development of Hinduism in the Chola kingdom. He was a patron of Tamil literature and culture, and many Hindu temples and works of literature were produced during his reign.

One of the most famous temples built by Raja Raja Chola is the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva and is known for its elaborate architecture and sculptures. Raja Raja Chola also commissioned the construction of other temples, such as the Gangaikondacholapuram Temple and the Airavatesvara Temple.

In addition to supporting the construction of temples, Raja Raja Chola also supported the spread of Hinduism by sending missionaries to other parts of India and Southeast Asia. He is also said to have donated generously to religious institutions and causes.

Overall, Raja Raja Chola played a significant role in the promotion and development of Hinduism in the Chola kingdom and beyond.Raja Raja Chola died in 1014 CE, after a reign of about 29 years. He was succeeded by his son, Rajendra Chola, who continued the expansionist policies of his father and conquered the kingdoms of the Ganges Valley in northern India.

Raja Raja Chola is remembered as one of the greatest rulers in Indian history, and his reign is remembered for its cultural, economic, and military achievements. He is credited with expanding the Chola kingdom to its greatest extent and establishing it as a major power in southern India and beyond. His policies and reforms contributed to the prosperity and growth of the kingdom, and he is remembered as a patron of Tamil literature and culture.