Legacy of the Cholas

Syllabus Areas:

GS I - History (Art & Culture)

The Aadi Thiruvathirai festival at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Tamil Nadu, commemorating the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola I (r. 1012–1044 CE), was celebrated with grandeur. This year’s event gained national attention with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation during its valedictory ceremony. It also coincided with the 1,000-year anniversary of Rajendra Chola’s Southeast Asian maritime expedition.

Background of Rajendra Chola I and Gangaikonda Cholapuram

  • Rajendra Chola I was the son of Rajaraja Chola I and succeeded him in expanding the Chola Empire further into Southeast Asia, establishing diplomatic and trade influence.
  • As per historian A. Nilakanta Sastri, Rajendra Chola ruled over the most extensive and respected Hindu state of his era.
  • Gangaikonda Cholapuram (literally, “The town of the Chola who brought the Ganges”) became the imperial capital from 1025 CE to 1279 CE.

Key Takeaways

Origins and Rise

  • Time Period: 9th to 13th Century CE (peak under Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I)
  • Region: Primarily Tamil Nadu; capital at Thanjavur, later Gangaikonda Cholapuram
  • Sources: Inscriptions (e.g., Thanjavur temple), copper plate grants (Leiden, Thiruvalangadu), foreign accounts

Major Achievements

  • Strong Central Administration
    • Well-organized bureaucracy
    • Village self-government (Ur, Sabha, Nagaram)
    • Revenue administration and land surveys
  • Military Conquests
    • Conquered parts of Sri Lanka, Andhra, Karnataka, Odisha
    • Expanded north to the Ganges (hence Rajendra's title Gangaikonda)
  • Maritime Prowess
    • Built a powerful navy
    • Conducted naval expeditions to Southeast Asia (Srivijaya Empire – modern Indonesia, Malaysia)
  • Architecture & Art
    • Dravidian style temples: Brihadeeswarar (Thanjavur), Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Darasuram
    • Use of granite, vimana towers, bronze sculpture art (notably Nataraja)
    • Declared UNESCO World Heritage as part of Great Living Chola Temples
  • Literature & Language
    • Supported Tamil and Sanskrit literature
    • Tevaram hymns, Chola inscriptions rich in Tamil
Legacy of the Cholas

Key Highlights of the Event

  • PM Modi spent two hours at the temple and deviated from usual political engagements:
    • Attended devotional performances by Oduvars and Ilaiyaraaja.
    • Dressed traditionally in white dhoti and angavastram.
    • Highlighted Chola contributions to governance, architecture, and maritime expansion.
  • Modi promised to honor the Chola emperors with statues.

Current Issues in Ariyalur District (Former Capital)

Economic & Developmental Concerns

  • Ariyalur, once a thriving capital, is now a backward, agrarian district.
  • Infrastructure gaps:
    • Poor rail connectivity – longstanding proposals remain unaddressed.
    • Low industrial growth despite an industrial estate set up a decade ago.
  • Agricultural decline:
    • Sugarcane cultivation stopped due to pest attacks.
    • Sugar mills are nearly non-functional.
  • Neglected tourism potential:
    • Despite being a World Heritage Site, the temple lacks basic amenities.
    • Fossil museum and tree park, globally significant, remain under-promoted.

Geological Importance

  • The region is noted for its fossil deposits, considered as significant as the Grand Canyon in Arizona (U.S.), yet lacks national recognition or visibility.

Key Issues Raised by Locals

  • Symbolic gestures (e.g., statues) are appreciated but insufficient.
  • People expected concrete announcements on:
    • Railway lines connecting major towns like Kumbakonam–Namakkal, Pattukottai–Ariyalur–Thanjavur.
    • Job creation and industrial promotion.

The Chola legacy, including art, administration, urban planning, and maritime prowess, remains a proud symbol of India’s historical might. However, the lack of development in Ariyalur, which was once a thriving capital, underlines the gap between cultural celebration and real-time governance outcomes.

Prelims Questions:

1. Consider the following statements:
  1. Gangaikonda Cholapuram was established by Rajaraja Chola I.
  2. It served as the Chola capital for over two centuries.
  3. The temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
Which of the above statements are correct?
  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. All of the above
2. The Chola Gangam lake, mentioned recently in the news, is located in:
  1. Thanjavur
  2. Ariyalur
  3. Kanchipuram
  4. Tiruchi
3. Rajendra Chola I’s maritime expedition was directed towards which of the following regions?
  1. East Africa
  2. Southeast Asia
  3. Central Asia
  4. Persia

Mains Question

  • Despite their glorious past, many historically significant regions in India remain underdeveloped in modern times. Discuss. (250 words)