About the Chola Empire and South Indian Kingdoms
While North India was busy with the Tripartite Struggle, South India was dominated by the Pallavas, the Chalukyas of Badami, the Rashtrakutas and finally the Cholas. The Cholas were the greatest dynasty of South India. Their empire (c. 850–1279 AD) is remembered for strong local self-government, magnificent Dravidian temples, exquisite bronze art and a powerful navy.
In the earlier Sangam Age, the south was ruled by the three Muvendar — the Cheras (Kerala), the Cholas (Cholamandalam) and the Pandyas (Madurai). After the Sangam period, the Kalabhras rose briefly, and then the Pallavas of Kanchipuram and the Chalukyas of Badami became the two great rivals.
The Pallavas and the Chalukyas
The Pallavas ruled from Kanchipuram. Mahendravarman I was a great patron of art, and Narasimhavarman I, also called Mamalla, defeated the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II and captured his capital Vatapi, taking the title Vatapikonda (“conqueror of Vatapi”). The Pallavas built the famous monuments of Mahabalipuram (the Shore Temple and the Five Rathas) and the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram. The last Pallava ruler, Aparajita, was defeated by Aditya Chola around 897 AD.
The Chalukyas of Badami were founded by Pulakeshin I (c. 543 AD), who made Vatapi (Badami) his capital. The greatest ruler was Pulakeshin II, who defeated Harshavardhana on the banks of the Narmada. His achievements are recorded in the Aihole inscription written by his court poet Ravikirti. Aihole is called the cradle of Indian temple architecture; the Virupaksha temple at Pattadakal was built by Vikramaditya II’s queen Lokamahadevi. The Rashtrakutas overthrew the Chalukyas in the 8th century, and the Later Western Chalukyas of Kalyani were founded by Tailapa II in 973 AD.
The Chola Empire
The Chola empire was founded by Vijayalaya (c. 850 AD) by capturing Tanjore (Thanjavur). The greatest rulers were Rajaraja I (985–1014 AD) and his son Rajendra I (1014–1044 AD).
Rajaraja I built the magnificent Brihadeshwara (Rajarajeshwara) temple at Thanjavur. He conquered the Maldives and Lakshadweep, defeated the Cheras and Pandyas, and took the title Rajaraja.
Rajendra I was the greatest Chola ruler. He led a famous naval expedition to Srivijaya in Southeast Asia (Kadaram/Sri Lanka region) and marched up to the river Ganga, building a new capital called Gangaikondacholapuram and taking the title Gangaikonda Chola. The Chola dynasty declined after the 12th century and ended around 1279 AD due to the revival of the Pandyas and later Turkish invasions.
Chola Administration and Art
The Cholas had a strong central monarchy supported by a remarkably developed system of village self-government. The important village assemblies were the Ur (general assembly), the Sabha or Mahasabha (assembly of a Brahmin village) and the Nagaram (assembly of merchants). The Uttaramerur inscription describes in detail how members of the village assembly were elected by a lottery system (the kudavolai system). Land revenue was about one-sixth of the produce, and the Cholas maintained a strong army and navy.
In art, the Cholas perfected the Dravidian style with the gopuram, vimana and mandapa. Their bronze statues, especially the dancing Nataraja, are world famous and were made by the lost-wax process. Thanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram remain the finest examples of Chola temple architecture.
Other South Indian Kingdoms
- Pandyas of Madurai – an ancient Sangam dynasty that revived in the 13th century; Madurai was their capital.
- Cheras of Kerala – known for trade with the Roman world and for the port of Muziris.
- Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra – Vishnuvardhana was their greatest ruler; their star-shaped temples at Belur, Halebidu and Somnathpur are celebrated.
- Kakatiyas of Warangal – Rudramadevi (a woman ruler) and the Ramappa temple are important.
- Yadavas of Devagiri – a Deccan kingdom later conquered by the Delhi Sultanate.
Timeline of South India
- c. 543 AD: Pulakeshin I founds the Chalukyas of Badami.
- c. 620s AD: Pulakeshin II defeats Harshavardhana on the Narmada.
- c. 642 AD: Narasimhavarman I captures Vatapi and takes the title Vatapikonda.
- 753 AD: Dantidurga overthrows the Chalukyas; Rashtrakutas rise.
- c. 850 AD: Vijayalaya founds the Chola empire by seizing Tanjore.
- 985–1014 AD: Reign of Rajaraja I; Brihadeshwara temple built.
- 1014–1044 AD: Reign of Rajendra I; Gangaikondacholapuram built.
- 1076 AD: Vikramaditya VI starts the Chalukya Vikrama era.
- 1279 AD: End of the Chola empire.
Main Facts about South Indian Kingdoms (Quick Revision Bullets)
- Sangam dynasties: Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas (Muvendar).
- Pallava capital: Kanchipuram.
- Builder of Mahabalipuram monuments: Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla).
- Title Vatapikonda: Narasimhavarman I.
- Chalukya capital: Vatapi (Badami).
- Greatest Badami Chalukya ruler: Pulakeshin II.
- Aihole inscription author: Ravikirti.
- Aihole is called: the cradle of Indian temple architecture.
- Rashtrakuta who overthrew the Chalukyas: Dantidurga.
- Chola founder: Vijayalaya.
- Chola capital: Tanjore (Thanjavur).
- Greatest Chola ruler: Rajendra I.
- Brihadeshwara temple built by: Rajaraja I.
- Gangaikondacholapuram built by: Rajendra I.
- Chola naval expedition: to Srivijaya (Kadaram).
- Chola bronze famous for: the dancing Nataraja.
- Village assemblies: Ur, Sabha (Mahasabha) and Nagaram.
- Uttaramerur inscription: describes the election of village assemblies.
- Later Western Chalukya capital: Kalyani.
- Chalukya Vikrama era started by: Vikramaditya VI.
- Hoysala capital: Dwarasamudra; temples at Belur and Halebidu.
- Kakatiya capital: Warangal; the Ramappa temple.
Important Persons and Terms
- Mahendravarman I: Pallava ruler and patron of art and music.
- Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla): Pallava ruler who defeated Pulakeshin II and took the title Vatapikonda.
- Pulakeshin I: founder of the Chalukyas of Badami.
- Pulakeshin II: greatest Badami Chalukya; defeated Harsha; Aihole inscription records his deeds.
- Ravikirti: court poet of Pulakeshin II who wrote the Aihole inscription.
- Vijayalaya: founder of the Chola empire.
- Rajaraja I: built the Brihadeshwara temple; expanded the Chola empire.
- Rajendra I: greatest Chola ruler; built Gangaikondacholapuram; led the Srivijaya naval expedition.
- Vikramaditya VI: Later Western Chalukya ruler; started the Chalukya Vikrama era.
- Basava: founder of the Virashaiva (Lingayat) movement in the Chalukya country.
- Vishnuvardhana: greatest Hoysala ruler.
Why South Indian Kingdoms Matter for Exams
Questions on the Cholas, Pallavas and Chalukyas are common in history papers. Typical questions include: Who founded the Chola empire? (Vijayalaya.) Who built the Brihadeshwara temple? (Rajaraja I.) Who led the naval expedition to Srivijaya? (Rajendra I.) Who wrote the Aihole inscription? (Ravikirti.) What was the Sabha? (The assembly of a Brahmin village.) A common trap is to confuse Rajaraja I with Rajendra I, and to mix the Pallavas of Kanchipuram with the Chalukyas of Badami and the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta.
How to Prepare This Topic
- Learn the three great southern dynasties in order. Pallavas (Kanchi), Chalukyas (Badami), Cholas (Tanjore).
- Fix the two great Chola kings. Rajaraja I (Brihadeshwara) and Rajendra I (Gangaikondacholapuram, Srivijaya).
- Remember the Aihole inscription and Ravikirti. Pulakeshin II defeated Harsha on the Narmada.
- Learn Chola administration. Ur, Sabha, Nagaram and the Uttaramerur inscription.
- Learn the other kingdoms. Pandyas, Cheras, Hoysalas, Kakatiyas and Yadavas.
Common Exam Traps
- Rajaraja I built the Brihadeshwara temple at Thanjavur; Rajendra I built Gangaikondacholapuram.
- Narasimhavarman I, not Mahendravarman I, took the title Vatapikonda.
- The Aihole inscription was written by Ravikirti, court poet of Pulakeshin II.
- The Sabha was the assembly of a Brahmin village; the Ur was a general village assembly.
- Pulakeshin II defeated Harsha, not the other way round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Chola empire and who were its greatest rulers?
The Chola empire was founded by Vijayalaya around 850 AD after capturing Tanjore. Its greatest rulers were Rajaraja I (985–1014 AD) and his son Rajendra I (1014–1044 AD).
Which Chola king built the Brihadeshwara temple and where is it located?
The Brihadeshwara (Rajarajeshwara) temple was built by Rajaraja I at Thanjavur (Tanjore). It is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What was the famous naval expedition of Rajendra I?
Rajendra I led a powerful naval expedition to Srivijaya in Southeast Asia (the Kadaram region), reflecting the strength of the Chola navy. He also marched up to the Ganga and built Gangaikondacholapuram.
Who wrote the Aihole inscription and about which king?
The Aihole inscription was written by Ravikirti, the court poet of the Badami Chalukya king Pulakeshin II. It records Pulakeshin II’s victories, including his success against Harshavardhana.
What were the Ur, Sabha and Nagaram in the Chola administration?
They were village-level assemblies: the Ur was a general village assembly, the Sabha (Mahasabha) was the assembly of a Brahmin village, and the Nagaram was the assembly of merchants. The Uttaramerur inscription describes their election by lottery (kudavolai).
Who defeated Pulakeshin II and captured his capital Vatapi?
The Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, also called Mamalla, defeated Pulakeshin II and captured Vatapi (Badami). He took the title Vatapikonda, meaning “conqueror of Vatapi”.