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Chola Maritime Trade Network

Type Object Region South Asia Time c. 300–1279

The Chola dynasty (c. 300–1279 CE) built a cross-sea trade and military voyaging system in South India linking the Bay of Bengal, Strait of Malacca, …

Timeline

  1. c. 300–850Coast of Cape Comorin · Tamil NaduIn its early period the Chola kingdom already took part in spice and pearl trade toward the Bay of Bengal and Sri Lanka, with coastal settlements and ports gradually developing into regional commercial nodes.
  2. 985–1014Thanjavur · Tamil NaduRajaraja I built a powerful navy, conquered northern Sri Lanka, and controlled the Maldives, integrating eastern Indian Ocean trade routes from a base at Thanjavur.
  3. 1025Srivijaya, Sumatra · SumatraRajendra I led a fleet on an expedition against Srivijaya, capturing its ports and controlling Strait of Malacca trade, extending the Chola maritime network to Southeast Asia's core sea lanes.
  4. c. 1200–1279South India · IndiaAs powers such as the Pandyas and Hoysalas rose, the Chola navy lost its advantage; after the dynasty ended in 1279, its integrated cross-sea trade network gradually split into regional port systems.

Sources