Chola Empire
Founder
- Vijayalaya → feudatory of Pallavas
- Captured Tanjore (Thanjavur) → established power
- Built temple of Goddess Nishumbhasudini
Major Rulers
Raja Raja I (985–1014 AD)
- Defeated Chera (Trivandrum) & Pandya (Madurai)
- Invaded Sri Lanka → expansion
- Built Brihadeshvara Temple (Tanjore)
Rajendra I (1012–1044 AD)
- Called “Napoleon of South India”
- Defeated Chera, Pandya & Sri Lanka completely
- Ganga expedition → defeated Bengal rulers
- Title: Gangaikondachola
- Built Gangaikondacholapuram (new capital)
- Naval expedition against Srivijaya Empire
Decline
- Declined in early 13th century
- Replaced by Pandyas & Hoysalas
- Later Chalukyas replaced by Yadavas & Kakatiyas
Administration (Local Self-Government)
Features
- Strong village administration → unique feature
Assemblies
- Ur → common people
- Sabha → Brahmins
System
- Executive committees managed village affairs
- Members elected for 3 years
- Only land/property owners could participate
Land Grants
- Brahmadeya → to Brahmins
- Vellanvagai → to non-Brahmins
- Devadana → to temples
- Pallichchandam → to Jain institutions
Taxes
- Vetti → forced labour
- Kadamai → land revenue
Temples
Major Temples
- Brihadeshvara (Tanjore) → by Raja Raja I
- Gangaikondacholapuram Temple → by Rajendra I
- Airavatesvara (Kumbakonam) → by Raja Raja II
- Kandariya Mahadeva (MP) → Chandela dynasty
Art & Culture
- Nataraja (Shiva dancing) → symbol of cosmic dance
- Made using Bronze (Lost-wax technique)
Tripartite Struggle (790 AD)
Powers Involved
- Gurjara-Pratiharas (West) → founder: Nagabhata I
- Palas (East) → founder: Gopala
- Dharmapala → Vikramshila University
- Rashtrakutas (South)
- Struggle for control of Kannauj → political dominance
🔥 Memory Tricks
- “VRR = Vijayalaya → Raja Raja → Rajendra”
- “US = Ur (People), Sabha (Brahmins)”
- “Tripartite = 3 Powers (Pala, Pratihara, Rashtrakuta)”