#Thread
CHOLA DYNASTY: The most remarkable cultural growth of South Bharat.

Vijyalaya was the founder of Chola Empire, he captured Tanjore in 850.
By the end of 9th century they defeated Pallavas and Pandyas but could not win over Rashtrakuts.

Krishna III defeated Cholas and

Captured northern empire, but after death of Krishna III in 965 Cholas revived again.

Rajaraja I( 985-1014) and his son Rajendra I(1014-1044) captured Trivendrum and Madurai.

They annexed northern Srilanka and conquered it capital Anuradhapuri.

This lead to active trade with South Asian countries.Malabar was made center of trade.

Rajaraja I and Rajendra I marked their victory by building Shiv and Vishnu Mandirs in South.

Brihadeshwara at Tanjore was built in 1010 is the most remarkable amongst them.

Later Rajendra I crossed Kaling to Bengal and defeated local rulers in 1022.

Rajendra got the epithet of "Gangaikondacholapura",the one who conquered Ganga.

Chola navy became strongest and Bay of Bengal was called " Chola Lake"

Cholas embassies reached China in 1077 and recieved more than 4laks as a price for glassware, camphor, brocade, rhino horns etc.

By this time Cholsa clashed with Chalukyas for lordship of Vengi, Tungbhadra but neither side got victory, but this lead to plunder of Chalukya.

Cholas empire continued flourish till 12th century but start declining by 13th century.

Cholas were taken over by Chalukya, and later chalukya by Yadavas and Kartikeys.

During the Cholas Bhakti Andolan was at its peak, and Cholas participated wholeheartedly.

Kamban was the great Tamil poet who wrote Kamban Ramayan.

They also wrote Tamil Version of Mahabharat and several other Sanskrit Scriptures.

Ref: History of South India by K A Nilkant Ji

@sattology