Rajendra Chola I succeeded his father Rajaraja Chola I in 1014 AD and reigned till 1044 AD. He was an able son and prince. He continued the ambitious career of his father and added more and more territories to the Chola Dominions.
The powerful standing army and a great navy organized under Rajaraja Chola I achieved even great successes under Rajendra Chola.
Rajendra Chola I was declared crown prince in 1012 AD, but he was active with his father since 1002 AD, when he conquered the Rastrakuta Country on behalf of his father. He also led a campaign against the western Chalukyan King Satyasraya and his successor Jayasimha II crossing the Tungabhadra River and attacking them at the heart of their capital, ruining the Chalukyas.
Only 4 years after he became King, in 1018 he declared his eldest son Rajadhiraja as crown prince.
Conquest of Ceylon by Rajendra Chola
In 1018 AD, he led a campaign on Illam (Sri Lanka). The Powerful navy of Rajendra Chola I overran the Sri Lankan capital Anuradhapura. The Sinhala King Mahinda V was taken prisoner and was transported to the Chola Country. He was held a prisoner for 12 years and died in captivity. The whole of Sri Lanka (Iramandalam) was conquered by Rajendra Chola-I.
Conquest of other empires
In 1021, his turned his attention to the Western Chalukyan Empire and defeated Jayasimha II in the Battle of Maski. Jayasimha II was returned his territory and was made a tributary subordinate. He also subdued the Eastern Chalukyas. After that his forces marched to Kalinga and reached the Pala Kingdom, where they met with forces of Mahipala and defeated them. The weight of the Chola arms was felt by almost all the Northern Kingdoms in this two year campaign. Victory over the Chalukyas, Kalinga, Gangas and Palas etc. led him to assume the title “Gangaikonda“.
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Military achievements of Rajendra Chola I
- Completion of Sri Lankan Conquest:
- The Chola conquest of Sri Lanka was completed in 1017 CE, and Mahinda V, the Sinhala king, was taken captive.
- Expedition to the Ganges:
- An expedition to North India defeated the Pala king Mahipala in Bengal and reached the Ganges River.
- The title "Gangaikonda Chola" (the Bringer of the Ganges) was earned after this victory.
- A new capital, Gangaikondacholapuram, was established, and a temple was built there to commemorate the northern campaigns.
- Overseas Conquests in Southeast Asia:
- A naval expedition was undertaken against the Srivijaya Empire in Southeast Asia (present-day Malaysia and Indonesia) around 1025 CE.
- Parts of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Java were conquered.
- The conquest of Srivijaya helped control maritime trade routes in Southeast Asia.
- Consolidation of Southern Territories:
- Chola authority over the Pandya and Chera countries was reasserted in 1018 CE.
- Rajendra''s son was appointed as Viceroy, ruling from Madurai.
- Continued conflict with the Western Chalukyas:
- Battles were fought against the Western Chalukyas under King Jayasimha II.
- Rajendra''s campaigns expanded the empire''s boundaries, cementing his status as a military strategist.
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Naval Conquests of Rajendra Chola
In 1025 AD, the Naval forces of Rajendra Cola I crossed the ocean and attacked the Srivijaya Kingdom (Sumatra) of Sangrama Vijayatungavarman. The capital Kadaram (part of Malaya) was sacked and its king was made a prisoner. Along with Kadaram, the Sumatra and Malaiyur were attacked and sacked. Kedah in today’s Malaysia was also attacked and occupied.
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Achievements of Rajendra Chola Army in North India
Rajendra Chola I, a significant ruler of the Chola Dynasty, led a successful expedition to North India between 1019 and 1024 CE
. His army''s achievements in this campaign include:
- Conquest of Kalinga: Rajendra''s forces marched through Kalinga (present-day Odisha) and defeated the Somavamsi Dynasty ruler Indraratha.
- Defeat of the Pala Dynasty: The Chola army advanced into the Pala kingdom of Bengal and Bihar, where they defeated Mahipala I. suggests that Rajendra''s forces defeated Dharmapala and Ranasura in Bengal, who might have been feudatories under Mahipala.
- Reaching the Ganges: The expedition culminated in the Chola army reaching the Ganges River, a significant symbolic and military achievement.
- Raiding East Bengal: The Chola army continued to raid East Bengal, defeating Govindachandra of the Chandra dynasty and invading the Bastar region.
This expedition displayed the Chola empire''s power and reach, expanding its influence beyond its southern territories. To celebrate the victory, Rajendra Chola I adopted the title "Gangaikonda Chola" (The Chola who took the Ganges) and founded a new capital city, Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
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Relations with China
Cholas had good relations with the contemporary Chinese Kingdoms. The contemporary Chinese rulers were from the Song Dynasty who sent a mission to Chola country in 1015 AD to Rajaraja Chola I (Lo-ts’a-lo-ts’a) and again in 1033 AD to Rajendra Chola I (Shi-lo-cha Yin-to-loChu-lo Sri Raja Indra Chola). The commercial trade was extensive between them, and today’s South East Asian territories might have been the midway in the trade routes , which indicate a reason of enmity between Cholas and these countries.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Gangaikonda Cholapuram was constructed by Rajendra Chola I to commemorate his conquest over the Chalukyas and other feudatories, Kalinga, Gangas, Palas etc. . . . These victories led him to assume the title Gangaikonda. Gangaikonda Cholapuram was erected as a new capital of the Cholas, which served as a Capital of the later Cholas until the Chola dynasty came to an end in 1280. It is now a small village in Tamil Nadu. There is a great Shiva Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. All the future princes of the Chola dynasty were coronated at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram after Rajendra Chola I. Now, only the temple at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram survives. A magnificent Royal Palace of burnt bricks was built over there, which was later turned to ruins most probably by the Pandyas. When Rajendra Chola I died in 1044 AD, the extent of the Chola Empire was the widest in the word and naval prestige was highest. The benevolent imperialism of the Cholas was maintained by his successor Rajadhiraja Chola.
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The four copper plate inscriptions od Rajendra Chola - 1
- Tiruvalangadu Copper Plates: These plates, discovered in 1905, are among the largest recovered and contain 31 copper sheets. The first 10 are inscribed in Sanskrit, while the remaining 21 are in Tamil. They record a royal order by Rajendra Chola I granting the village of Palaiyanur to the Tiruvalangadu Shiva temple.
- Karanthai Copper Plates: These plates, along with the Tiruvalangadu and Esalam plates, are significant for detailing Rajendra Chola's reign, including his military conquests and temple patronage.
- Tirukkalar Copper Plates: These plates, along with the others mentioned, offer valuable insights into the Chola dynasty's history and Rajendra Chola I's contributions.
- Esalam Copper Plates: These plates, along with the Tiruvalangadu and Karanthai plates, provide detailed information about village layouts, taxation methods, irrigation, and government administration during Rajendra Chola's reign.
These copper plate inscriptions are crucial historical sources that shed light on the Chola dynasty's expansionist policies, administrative practices, and religious patronage during the 11th century.
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