News: The Ministry of Culture is all set to celebrate the birth anniversary of the great Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I with the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival, to be held from 23rd to 27th July 2025 at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Tamil Nadu.
About Rajendra Chola I
- He was a Chola Emperor who reigned from 1014 to 1044.
- He was born in Thanjavur to Rajaraja I and rose to the throne in 1014 CE, after the death of Rajaraja I.
- During his reign, the Chola Empire reached its zenith in the Indian subcontinent.
- It extended its reach via trade and conquest across the Indian Ocean, making Rajendra one of only a few Indian monarchs who conquered territory beyond South Asia.
- Titles
- Gangaikonda Cholan (“The Conqueror of the Ganges”): He earned this title after his victorious northern campaigns reaching the Ganges River.
- Kadaram Kondan (“Conqueror of Kedah”): It was given for his conquests in Southeast Asia.
- New capital: He founded a new capital called Gangaikonda Cholapuram, an imperial city built to commemorate his triumphs and serve as an administrative and cultural center.
- Religion: He followed Shaivism.
- However, he also welcomed Buddhism and built many stupas (Buddhist shrines) in South-East Asia and South India.
- Temples built:
- He commissioned the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple to celebrate his conquests reaching the Ganges River.
- Today, the temple stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its intricate sculptures, Chola bronzes, and ancient inscriptions.
- He commissioned the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple to celebrate his conquests reaching the Ganges River.
- Rajendra Chola’s conquests
- Conquering Sri Lanka: In 1017 CE, the king captured the whole of Sri Lanka, of which his father, Raja Chola was able to conquer only the northern half.
- Victory over Pandyas and Cheras: In 1018 CE, King Rajendra marched to Pandya and Chera regions and fighting a fierce battle, defeated their kings.
- Defeating Chaulakyas: In 1021 CE, Rajendra Chola conquered the Chaulakya territory against Jayasimha at the battle of Maski.
- Reaching Ganga: He conquered regions around Ganga, from Palas of Bengal.
- Oveseas Conquests
- He was among the first Indian kings to conquer territories outside India.
- His conquests included areas of present day Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Andamans, Lakshadweep and Cambodia.
- In all these Conquests, Krishnan Raman served as the Commander in Chief of the Chola forces, under Rajendra Chola.
- Feared by Mohammed of Gazni
- Mohammed of Gazni while raiding the north west of India, dared not to cross into the Chola kingdom, fearing its might.
