PM Revives Chola Legacy at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Visit

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The Prime Minister visited Gangaikonda Cholapuram (Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu) during the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival and released a commemorative coin marking 1000 years of Rajendra Chola I’s Gangetic expedition, while celebrating the Chola dynasty’s administrative brilliance and maritime power.

Key Terms and Concepts

Term	Explanation
Rajendra Chola I	Son of Rajaraja Chola I; great Chola emperor known for naval expeditions
Gangaikonda Cholapuram	Capital built by Rajendra Chola I after northern conquests
Aadi Thiruvathirai	Festival honoring Rajendra Chola’s birth star and Chola cultural heritage
Gangaikondacholeeswaram	Temple built by Rajendra Chola I in Dravidian style, now UNESCO site
Kudavolai System	Palm-leaf ballot system used in village elections during Chola rule

Key Facts About Rajendra Chola I

Aspect	Details
Period	Ruled from 1014 to 1044 AD
Titles	Gangaikonda Cholan, Kadaram Kondan, Pandita Cholan, Mudikondan
Military Feats	Defeated Palas, Chalukyas; conquered Sri Lanka, Maldives, Southeast Asia
Capital	Established Gangaikonda Cholapuram as new capital
Naval Power	Led India’s earliest recorded overseas expeditions
Cultural Patron	Supported Shaivism; tolerant of Vaishnavism and Buddhism
Trade	Tamil merchant guilds (Manigramam, Ayyavole) flourished; strong ties with China, SEA

Chola Dynasty Overview

Feature	Details
Founded	By Vijayalaya Chola in 9th century AD
Peak	Under Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I
Territories	South India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia
Decline	With Pandya resurgence in the 13th century
Notable Rulers	Vijayalaya, Rajaraja I, Rajendra I, Kulottunga I, Rajaraja II

Key Features of Chola Administration & Architecture

Area	Features
Governance	Centralized monarchy; local self-governance via Sabhas and Urs
Village Democracy	Kudavolai ballot system for elections; eligibility rules ensured merit and accountability
Revenue	Land revenue (1/6th of produce), profession tax, salt, marriage dues, tolls (abolished by Kulottunga I)
Military	Four divisions – infantry, cavalry, elephants, navy; elite forces like Velaikkarar and Kaikkolaperumpadai
Trade	Merchant guilds like Nanadesis; ports like Puhar; maritime trade with West Asia, China, SEA
Art & Architecture	Dravidian temple style; Vimana towers; bronze sculptures (e.g. Nataraja), wall paintings
Major Temples	Brihadisvara (Thanjavur), Gangaikondacholeeswaram (Ariyalur), Airavatesvara (Darasuram)

Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple Highlights

Feature	Description
Built by	Rajendra Chola I to mark victory over the Gangetic plains
Style	Refined Dravidian architecture
Significance	Symbol of military power and Shaiva devotion
Inscriptions	1027 AD, 1068 AD; Esalam copper plates (1036 AD)
Cultural Events	Aadi Thiruvathirai celebrates Rajendra’s birth star with Therukoothu performances
UNESCO Status	Included in “Great Living Chola Temples” (2004), along with Thanjavur and Darasuram

In a Nutshell

Memory Code: “RAJENDRA VISION”

• Rajendra’s conquests
• Aadi festival tribute
• Jewels of Dravidian architecture
• Empire across seas
• Naval legacy
• Democratic Kudavolai
• Refined bronze art
• Administrative excellence
• Village autonomy
• International trade
• Shaivism and tolerance
• Nationwide heritage recognition

Prelims Questions

1. Consider the following statements about Rajendra Chola I:
   1. He built the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur.
   2. He established Gangaikonda Cholapuram as the new capital.
   3. He led India’s first overseas naval expeditions.
      Which of the above is/are correct?
      A) 2 and 3 only
      B) 1 and 2 only
      C) 1 and 3 only
      D) 1, 2 and 3
2. The Kudavolai system practiced under the Cholas was related to:
   A) Land revenue assessment
   B) Military recruitment
   C) Temple construction
   D) Local village elections
3. Which temple was built to commemorate Rajendra Chola I’s northern expeditions?
   A) Airavatesvara Temple
   B) Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur
   C) Gangaikondacholeeswaram
   D) Kampaharesvara Temple

Mains Questions

1. Examine the administrative structure and democratic practices of the Chola Empire with special reference to the Kudavolai system. 10 Marks (GS1 – History)
2. Discuss the significance of Rajendra Chola I’s maritime expeditions in shaping early Indian overseas influence. 10 Marks (GS1 – Culture & Indian Heritage)

Answers and Explanations (Prelims)

Ques	Answer	Explanation
1	A	Statement 1 is incorrect—Brihadisvara was built by Rajaraja I, not Rajendra I
2	D	Kudavolai was a palm-leaf ballot system for village self-governance elections
3	C	Gangaikondacholeeswaram was built by Rajendra I after his Gangetic conquest