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Chola Empire

Type Object Region South Asia Time c. 848–1279

The Chola Empire was a powerful South Indian Tamil dynasty, 9th–13th centuries CE, centered on Thanjavur, ruling Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and northern Sri…

Timeline

  1. c. 848–985Thanjavur · IndiaThe Chola dynasty revived from the 9th century, gradually unifying the Tamil region, defeating rivals such as the Pandyas, and establishing dominance over the Kaveri river basin.
  2. c. 985–1044Gangaikonda Cholapuram · IndiaRajendra Chola I campaigned in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, built a powerful navy, and made Gangaikonda Cholapuram the empire's political and cultural center, bringing Chola power to its zenith.
  3. c. 1044–1118Thanjavur · IndiaThe empire greatly developed temple architecture (such as the Brihadisvara Temple) and recorded administration and trade on copper-plate inscriptions; caravans and fleets linked Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, and the East African coast.
  4. 1131–1140Thanjavur · IndiaDuring the reigns of Vikrama Chola (c. 1118–1135) and Kulothunga Chola II (c. 1133–1150), the empire maintained control of the South Indian core, continuing to develop the temple economy and Bay of Bengal trade; this was the later Chola phase.

Sources