Today on July 27, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the ancient capital of the imperial Cholas built by emperor Rajendra Chola - I (regnal years 1012-1044 CE). Participating in the valedictory function of ‘Aadi Thiruvathirai’ festival marking the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola, Mr Modi released a commemorative coin to celebrate the 1000 years of naval expedition of Rajendra Chola - I.
To commemorate his successful military expedition to the Gangetic plains, Rajendra Chola founded a new capital and called it Gangaikonda Cholapuram, identified with modern Gangaikonda Cholapuram in the Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu.
Rajendra Chola also built the Shiva temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Known as Brihadisvara Temple, this temple has a similar name as the one built by his father Raja Raja I in Thanjavur. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this temple is adorned with exquisite granite sculptures.
Rajendra Chola I: Worthy Son of Legendary Father
Rajendra Chola I is one of two greatest kings of the Chola dynasty which, one of three ancient dynasties in the Tamil tradition, again rose in the middle of the 9th century and ruled for well neigh three centuries over a large part in South India with their capital at Tanjuvur (modern Tanjore also Thanjavur).
The power of the Chola dynasty reached its pinnacle during the reigns of Rajendra Chola (1014- 1042) and his father Rajaraja I (985-1014). Rajendra Chola was the worthy son and successor of his father. Though he succeeded to the Chola throne in 1014, his regal years are counted from 1012 AD when he was declared heir-apparent.
By his military prowess and administrative skill, Rajendra Chola raised the Chola power to the zenith of glory. Probably in 1017 AD, he conquered the whole of Sri Lanka, the northern part of which was already annexed to the Chola empire during the reign of his father Rajaraja I.
In the next year (1018 AD) Rajendra Chola forced the rulers of Kerala and the Pandyan country to accept the suzerainty of the Cholas. He defeated the Western Chalukya power under Jayasimha II Jagadekamalla (c. 1016-42).
Rajendra also came in conflict with the Pala ruler of Bengal, Mahipala I, and his armies spread their victorious wings as far as the Ganges. To commemorate this daring victory, he assumed the title of Gangaikondachola (The Chola conquer of the Ganga) and founded a new capital named after him - Gangaikonda – Cholapuram, identified with modern Gangaikondapuram in the Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu.
Rajendra Chola possessed a powerful fleet and is credited with sending a great naval expedition which occupied parts of South East Asia including Myanmar, Malaya and Sumatra. This naval expedition, unique in the annals of Indian history, was undertaken to presumably suppress the piratical activities of the Indonesian rulers, which were an obstacle to the flourishing trade between China and the South India.
Rajendra Chola is known by a variety of titles such as Tyagasamudra, Gangaikonda and Pandita Chola.
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