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Name: Eaden Lim Sze Han Grade:7 Date:7/10/2026 Topic: Ancient cities…
Name: Eaden Lim Sze Han Grade:7 Date:7/10/2026 Topic: Ancient cities (Chola Dynasty)
leaders and society
Vijayalaya Chola (848–871 CE): Re-established the dynasty.
Rajaraja I (985–1014 CE): Expanded territory significantly and initiated the building of great monuments.
Rajendra III (1246–1279 CE): The final monarch of the main Chola line
Economy & Revenue: Built on intensive agriculture in the Kaveri delta (taxed at roughly one-sixth of the produce) alongside vibrant maritime trade guilds trading textiles, spices, and gold (kalanju currency)
culture and achievements
Chola Bronzes: Perfected the lost-wax casting method for exquisite metal sculptures, most famously depictions of Nataraja (Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer).
: Maintained an unmatched Indian Ocean navy that secured trade routes across the Bay of Bengal, Malacca Strait, and Southeast Asian archipelagos.
legacy
Cultural Spread to Southeast Asia: Chola maritime trade and political reach deeply influenced the art, script, architecture, and statecraft of parts of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
: Left a lasting template for decentralized local rural governance and organized revenue surveys in South India.
What was it?
• Founded in 848 CE by Vijayalaya Chola, who captured Thanjavur, the empire lasted until 1279 CE.
• Originated in the fertile Kaveri River valley, expanding at its peak under Rajaraja I and Rajendra I to cover southern India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and naval raids/influence stretching to the Ganges river and Srivijaya Empire in Southeast Asia.
rise and fall
Pallavas and Pandyas, exploding into an imperial power under Rajaraja I and Rajendra I through military brilliance and maritime control.
By the 12th and 13th centuries, weaker later monarchs, internal succession squabbles, and the aggressive resurgence of the rival Pandyan dynasty eroded Chola authority.
what happened to it?
: In 1279 CE, the resurgent Pandyan dynasty, alongside allied local feudatories and the Hoysala Empire, decisively defeated Rajendra III and dismantled the remaining Chola core territories
