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An easy, practical and in-sequence itinerary planner I have travelled the length and breadth of India, and am truly proud of its rich and varied heritage. I am amazed by the tradition and values, the people, festivals, celebrations and the changing landscape. Have you wondered if it's possible to travel across India completely? Most foreigners arriving in India, land in Delhi and then travel the Golden Triangle route first- which is a good decision incase you have limited time at hand and want to make the most of it. The Golden Triangle- Delhi, Agra and Jaipur includes the much hyped Taj Mahal which invariably is part of a tourist's bucket list. This blog on the other hand- is a sequential strategy and detailed 'been there done that' itinerary plan starting from Mumbai. I am sure as we go through this Journey you will understand India better. My experiences are based from the perspective of a - digital nomad, budget backpacker and from a local standpoint. Each Itinerar
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The mighty Chola dynasty of India

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Preceded by~ Pandya and  Pallava dynasty

 

List of the Chola dynasty rulers


Vijayalaya Chola 848 to 871 CE
Was the founder of the Chola dynasty and established the Chola rule by defeating the Pallavas and Pandyas.

Aditya I - 870 to 907 CE Son of Vijayalaya.

Parantaka I- 907 CE–955 CE Son of Aditya I

Gandaraditya son of Parantaka I- 949–962 CE

Arinjaya Chola- 956-957 CE younger brother of Gandaraditya- 956-957 CE

Parantaka Chola II- 962 CE – 980 CE Son of Arinjaya Chola

Aditya Chola II- 966 - 971 CE Son of Parantaka Chola II

Uttama Chola- 980 CE – 985 CE cousin of Parantaka Chola II and son of Gandaraditya.


After a long list of Chola rulers from 848 to 986 CE, came two of the most iconic Chola kings Rajaraja I and his son Rajendra I, who made India proud to this day. Both kings were great conquerors. 

The Chola dynasty, Rajendra Chola I
The Chola dynasty, Rajendra Chola I

extent of Chola empire during Rajendra Chola I
extent of Chola empire during Rajendra Chola I (image credit- Wikimedia commons public domain)


As seen in the map above, the Chola empire covered most of South India [except present day North Karnataka and Telegana, parts of India's East Coast like Odisha, South West Bengal. And Interestingly had their influence as far as South Thailand, Java & Sumatra (Indonesia), and the Malay Peninsula (Malaysia, Singapore).


Rajaraja Chola I - 985 to 1014 CE and Rajendra Chola I - 971 CE – 1014 CE


The legacy of the mighty Cholas

At the time Rajaraja Chola I took over, the kingdom was much smaller. But due to his strategic thinking and administrative skills, a powerful army and navy was formed. Thereafter he undertook many conquests to expand the kingdom. By undertaking a naval campaign he also took over Sri Lanka and Maldives.

His son Rajendra Chola I continued the legacy of his father and also undertook many conquests.

GANGAIKONDAN: A great conqueror

Rajendra Chola I started a major expedition in 1019 whereby he defeated the Pala and Chandra dynasty kings and conquering their kingdoms right until the Ganges and thereafter earning the name GANGAIKONDAN.  

The temple at GANGAIKONDA CHOLAPURAM is a smaller version of the Brihadeshwara temple at Thanjavur
The temple at GANGAIKONDA CHOLAPURAM is a smaller version of the Brihadeshwara temple at Thanjavur


As he waged wars, so also his army grew. The capital city of Thanjavur was bursting at the seams, so Rajendra decided to build yet another strategic capital. So he chose a barren land 50km from Thanjavur and called it GANGAKONDA CHOLAPURAM which is in today's Ariyalur district. The was the final capital of the Cholas.

GANGAKONDA CHOLAPURAM remained the capital of the Cholas for over 250 years. The mighty city of GANGAKONDA CHOLAPURAM was finally razed to the ground by the PANDYA DYNASTY in the 13 CE. 

The State archaeological dept is still conducted excavations in this town, where they found walls of the fort built by Rajendra Chola. These have been helpful to prove to the world about this great ruler. M.K. Stalin's govt announced that there will be state celebration every Aadi Tiniruvathirai to commemorate the birth of Rajendra Chola.

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