Chola maritime trade and the accession of Kulothunga Chola I (1070s)

Timeline

1. 1070–1072Tanjavur · Tamil NaduKulothunga Chola I was crowned Chola emperor in 1070, integrating Chola core territories and vassal states and continuing the maritime expansion policies of his predecessor Rajendra Chola, ensuring the imperial trade network was not interrupted by the change of throne.
2. 1073–1078Kaveripattinam (Chola port) · Tamil NaduChola merchant ships departed from ports at the Kaveri river mouth carrying cotton cloth, pepper, gems, and other goods, sailing across the Bay of Bengal to Tenasserim in Burma, the Malay Peninsula, and Sumatra. Port tariffs and merchant guild administration brought stable fiscal revenue to the empire.
3. 1078–1080West coast of the Malay Peninsula · Malay PeninsulaThe Cholas maintained trading stations and diplomatic contacts along the Southeast Asian coast, sending envoys to polities such as Srivijaya and receiving tribute. Archaeologically discovered Chola inscriptions and copper coins indicate that in the 1070s Chola maritime influence still covered the junction of the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.