Rajendra Chola I was one of the Chola dynasty’s finest emperors. From where his father Rajaraja Chola had departed, he enlarged the Chola Empire. He conquered the Southeast Asian lands of Srivijaya in Malaysia, Indonesia, and southern Thailand, in addition to reaching north to the Ganges and moving offshore to the Maldives and Sri Lanka. He carried on his father’s legacy of maintaining and improving trade connections with China. After defeating the Gangas, Chalukyas, Cheras, Palas, Pandyas, Kalingas, and other kingdoms, he was given the title ‘Gangaikonda Chola’ (The Chola who captured the Ganges). Apart from acquiring the title of ‘Mummudi Chola’ (The Chola with three crowns) from his father, he was also known by other titles such as Mudigonda Chola, Virarajendra, and Pandita Chola. He erected Gangaikonda Cholapuram as his new capital, where he built a Shiva temple in the style of his father Rajaraja Chola’s Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur. He established a massive empire as well as a formidable military and naval force. The ‘Golden Age of Cholas’ was the name given to his reign. His son Rajadhiraja Chola succeeded him, and his other two sons – Rajendra Chola II and Virarajendra Chola – followed.
Childhood and Adolescence
Rajendra Chola is a Rajendra Chola. I was born to Raja Raja Chola I and his queen, Vaanathi or Thiripuvana Madeviyar, during the South Indian festival of Thiruvathira in the Tamil month of Margalzhi Things.
In 1012, his father crowned him crown prince, though he had been supporting him in conquests since 1002 and commanded wars against the Western Chalukyas, Vengi, and Kalinga.
Reign & Accession
He seized the kingdom in 1014, and four years later, in 1018, he appointed his eldest son, Rajadhiraja Chola I, as yuvaraja (co-regent).
Conquest of Rashtrakuta land and areas around northeastern Karnataka, Pandharpur, and southern Maharashtra until Kolhapur were among his early operations on behalf of his father.
His rule over Ceylon was challenged by Sinhala king Mahinda’s son Kassapa, leading to a conflict between the two kingdoms, with the Cholas emerging triumphant and regaining authority until Kulothunga Chola III’s reign.
In 1018, he raided the Pandya and Chera kingdoms, capturing priceless stones. Rajendra’s father had previously acquired these regions, therefore it’s uncertain whether or not he added anymore.
He battled the soldiers of Vijayaditya, who had been installed as the Vengi monarch by the Western Chalukyas after putting Rajaraja Narendra into exile, and aided Rajaraja in his return to the throne.
After defeating the Western and Eastern Chalukyas, he went north via Kalinga to the Ganges River and into Bengal’s Pala empire, where he fought Mahipala and acquired elephants, women, and treasure.
Battles against Dharmapala, the ruler of the Kamboja Pala Dynasty in Dandabhukti, Govindachandra of the Chandra Dynasty in present-day Bangladesh, and Bastar in modern-day Chhattisgarh were among his other conquests.
The empire initially comprised the Ganges country’s domains, but they were later made servants in exchange for annual tributes. While the northern kingdoms had autonomy, the Tamilian provinces were completely controlled by the Cholas.
Following his triumphs over the Palas, Chalukyas, Kalinga, Gangas, Pandyas, Cheras, and others, he renamed himself ‘Gangaikonda Chola’ and relocated his capital from Thanjavur to Gangaikondacholapuram, where he constructed a Shiva shrine.
He led successful invasion campaigns into the Tambralinga kingdom in southern Thailand and the Langkasuka kingdom in Malaysia, after which he backed Tamil traders in Southeast Asia.
The Cholas were thought to have maintained close relations with the Chinese kingdoms, with the first mission to the Song Dynasty sent by Chola king Rajaraja in 1015, followed by visits in 1033 and 1077.
The significant trade between the Cholas and the Chinese may have sparked tensions between Srivijaya and the Cholas because it was located in the middle of the trading routes.
In 1041, Rajendra launched a second expedition to Sri Lanka, which featured battles against Vikramabahu, Jagaitpala, Sinhalese, and evicted Pandyas, all of whom were defeated, allowing Rajendra to annex Ceylon to the Chola Empire.
He was constantly engaged in campaigns and conflicts till the end of his reign to secure his vast empire from invasions and keep it together. He eventually allowed his sons to put down revolts led by the Pandyas and Cheras, as well as in Sri Lanka.
Battles of Importance
He commanded the legendary expedition against the Western Chalukyas, attacking Kollipakkai, or modern-day Kulpak, in Hyderabad’s northwestern outskirts.
While his father was successful in seizing the northern portion of Sri Lanka, in 1017 he went on to seize the entire island, defeating Mahinda V and imprisoning him in the Chola Country, where he died in captivity.
In the Battle of Maski in 1021, he fought the Western Chalukya king, Jayasimha II, who attempted to rule the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi by supporting Vijayaditya VII and exiling his nephew, Rajaraja Narendra.
He invaded Sangrama Vijayatungavarman’s Srivijaya empire in 1025, imprisoning him and taking Kadaram, Pannai (modern-day Sumatra), Kedah (modern-day Malaysia), and Malaiyur (Malayan peninsula).
His major Achievements
At his capital, Gangaikondacholapuram, he had a vast artificial lake built, measuring 16 miles long and 3 miles wide, and it is still one of India’s largest manmade lakes.
He had most of his empire’s brick-structured temples renovated into stone shrines since he was a devoted and religious emperor.
Personal History and Legacy
Mukkokilan, Arindhavan Madevi, Tribuvana or Vananan Mahadeviar, Panchavan Mahadevi, and Viramadevi, who committed Sati after his death in 1044, are thought to have been his queens.
Three of his sons succeeded him: Rajadhiraja Chola, Rajendra Chola II, and Virarajendra Chola.
Amanda Devi, who was married to Eastern Chalukya king Rajaraja Narendra and bore the first Chalukya Chola
emperor, Kulothunga Chola I, and Pranaar Arul Mozhi Nangai, who was married to Eastern Chalukya king Rajaraja Narendra and bore the first Chalukya Chola emperor, Kulothunga Chola I.
Estimated net worth
Rajendra Chola is a Rajendra Chola. My estimated net worth is $1 million dollars, and my primary source of income is as a politician. We don’t have enough information about Rajendra Chola I’s cars or lifestyle. These details will be updated as soon as possible.