Raja Raja Chola I

About Raja Raja Chola I:

• He was born as Arulmozhi Varman in 947 CE, he rose to become one of history’s most illustrious and visionary rulers.
• He was revered as Raja Raja the Great, he inherited the legacy of his ancestors and crafted an empire that flourished both militarily and culturally. 
• Reign: His reign, from 985 to 1014 CE, was marked by military prowess and profound administrative vision.
• Military Conquest:
  • During his reign, the Cholas expanded beyond South India with their domains stretching from Sri Lanka in the south to Kalinga in the north.
  • He also launched several naval campaigns that resulted in the capture of the Malabar Coast as well as the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

• Titles
  • After the defeat of the Pandyas by him he took the title Pandya Kulashanimeaning a thunderbolt to the race of the Pandyas.
  • He also adopted the title of Mummudi Chola which means the Chola who wears the three crowns.
• In 1010, Raja Raja built the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• The temple and the capital acted as a center of both religious and economic activity.
• During his reign, the texts of the Tamil poets Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar were collected and edited into one compilation called Thirumurai.