Origin of Cholas
- The Cholas trace their ancestry to Karikala I, who is one of the most well-known Chola rulers of the Sangam Age.
- According to copper plate documents of the Chola successors, Karikala is considered the most well-known Chola of the Sangam Age and is regarded as the ancestor of the Chola lineage.
Chola Resurgence
- Records available after the post-Sangam age shows the Cholas initially served as subordinates to the Pallavas(another prominent dynasty in the southern regions of India)
- The Cholas regained prominence and independence later.
- The resurgence of the Cholas began with the conquest of the Kaveri delta from Muttaraiyar by Vijayalaya Chola in 850–871
- In 850, he founded the Chola kingdom and built the city of Thanjavur. As a result, historians refer to them as the Later Cholas or Imperial Cholas.
- From Parantaka I (907–955) to Kulothunga III (1163–1216), Vijayalaya's illustrious successors brought the Cholas glory and fame.
Rajaraja I/ Arumolivarman (985 - 1014 CE)
- Rajaraja Chola I, widely regarded as the greatest king of the Chola Empire, reigned between 985 and 1014 C.E.
- By conquering the kingdoms of southern India, he laid the groundwork for the Chola kingdom's expansion into an empire.
- He was involved in numerous battles with the Chalukyas in the north and the Pandyas in the south. Rajaraja established the Chalukya Chola dynasty by conquering Vengi.
- He invaded Sri Lanka and began the island's century-long Chola occupation.
Rajendra I's naval operations
- Rajendra I, the son of Rajaraja I, conducted extensive naval operations that reached as far as Sri Vijaya, which was a powerful maritime kingdom in Southeast Asia.
- His naval campaigns contributed to Chola hegemony in the region.
