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Arulmozhi Varman c. 947 Thanjavur, Chola Empire (modern-day Tamil Nadu, India)
Died
c. 1014(1014-00-00) (aged 66–67) Thanjavur, Chola Empire
Spouse
Thiripuvana Madeviyar
Lokamahadevi
Cholamahadevi
Tirilokyamahadevi
Panchavanmahadevi
Abhimanavalli
Latamahadevi
Prithivimahadevi
Issue
Rajendra I
Araiyan Rajarajan
Arulmozhi chandramalli alias Gangamadevi
Mathevadigal
Regnal name
Raja Raja Cholan
Dynasty
Chola
Father
Parantaka II
Mother
Vanavan Mahadevi
Religion
Hinduism See details
Signature
Chola Kings and Emperors
Early Cholas
Ellalan
205 BCE– c. 161 BCE
Kulakkottan
Ilamchetchenni
Karikala
Nedunkilli
Nalankilli
Killivalavan
Kopperuncholan
Kochchenganan
Perunarkilli
Interregnum (c. 200 – c. 848 CE)
Medieval Cholas
Vijayalaya
848–871?
Aditya I
871–907
Parantaka I
907–955
Rajaditya Chola
935–949
Gandaraditya
949–962
Arinjaya
955–956
Parantaka II (Sundara)
950–980
Aditya II (Karikala)
966–971
Uttama
971–987
Rajaraja I
985–1014
Rajendra I
1012–1044
Rajadhiraja
1018–1054
Rajendra II
1051–1063
Rajamahendra
1060–1063
Virarajendra
1063–1070
Athirajendra
1067–1070
Later Cholas
Kulothunga I
1070–1120
Vikrama
1118–1135
Kulothunga II
1133–1150
Rajaraja II
1146–1173
Rajadhiraja II
1166–1178
Kulothunga III
1178–1218
Rajaraja III
1216–1256
Rajendra III
1246–1279
Related
Related dynasties
Telugu Chodas of Andhra
Chodagangas of Kalinga
Nidugal Cholas of Karnataka
Rajahnate of Cebu
Rajahnate of Sanmalan
Chola society
Ganges Expedition
Chola government
Chola military
Chola Navy
Chola art and architecture
Chola literature
Flag of Chola
Great Living Chola Temples
Solesvara Temples
Poompuhar
Uraiyur
Melakadambur
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Thanjavur
Tiruvarur
Legendary early Chola kings
v
t
e
Rajaraja I (Middle Tamil: Rājarāja Cōḻaṉ; Classical Sanskrit: Rājarāja Śōḷa; 947 – 1014),[1][2] also known as Rajaraja the Great, was a Chola emperor who reigned from 985 CE to 1014 CE. He is known for his conquests of South India and parts of Sri Lanka, and increasing Chola influence across the Indian Ocean.[3][4]
Rajaraja's empire encompassed vast territories, including regions of the Pandya country, the Chera country, and northern Sri Lanka. He also extended his influence over strategic islands such as Lakshadweep, Thiladhunmadulu atoll, and parts of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. His conquests weren't limited to the south; he also launched successful campaigns against the Western Gangas and the Western Chalukyas, extending Chola authority as far as the Tungabhadra River. In the east, Rajaraja faced fierce opposition from the Telugu Chola king Jata Choda Bhima over control of Vengi. This region held significant strategic importance due to its access to resources and trade routes. The conflict between the two rulers intensified as they vied for dominance in the region, resulting in significant battles and shifting allegiances.[5][6][7][8]
Rajaraja I also left a significant mark through his architectural and cultural achievements. He commissioned the construction of the Rajarajeshwaram Temple in the Chola capital of Thanjavur, which is revered as one of the most prominent examples of medieval South Indian architectural style.[9] Additionally, during his reign, important Tamil literary works by poets such as Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar were gathered and compiled into a single collection known as the Thirumurai. This earned him the title of 'Thirumurai Kanda Cholar,' meaning The One Who Found Thirumurai.[6][10] He initiated a project of land survey and assessment in 1000 CE which led to the reorganisation of Tamil country into individual units known as valanadus.[11][12] Rajaraja died in 1014 CE, and was succeeded by his son Rajendra Chola I.
^ abVidya Dehejia 1990, p. 51.
^K. A. N. Sastri 1992, p. 1.
^Charles Hubert Biddulph (1964). Coins of the Cholas. Numismatic Society of India. p. 34.
^John Man (1999). Atlas of the year 1000. Harvard University Press. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-674-54187-0.
^Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. pp. 46–49. ISBN 978-9-38060-734-4.
^ abA Journey through India's Past by Chandra Mauli Mani p.51
^Columbia Chronologies of Asian History and Culture by John Bowman p.264
^M. G. S. Narayanan 2013, p. 115-117.
^The Hindus: An Alternative History by Wendy Doniger, p. 347.
^Indian Thought: A Critical Survey by K. Damodaran, p. 246.
^A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th century by Upinder Singh, p. 590.
^Administrative System in India: Vedic Age to 1947 by U. B. Singh, p. 76.
RajarajaI (Middle Tamil: Rājarāja Cōḻaṉ; Classical Sanskrit: Rājarāja Śōḷa; 947 – 1014), also known as Rajaraja the Great, was a Chola emperor who reigned...
Emperor who reigned from 1014 and 1044 CE. He was born in Thanjavur to RajarajaI and his queen Vanavan Mahadevi and assumed royal power as co-regent with...
Rajendra I. His father was king Rajaraja Narendra of the Eastern Chalukya dynasty who was the nephew of Rajendra and maternal grandson of RajarajaI. According...
on Ramanathan's play of the same name about the life of the Chola king RajarajaI, the film stars Sivaji Ganesan in the title role and was the first Tamil...
spelled Kanthaloor salai, was a naval engagement of the Cholas under RajarajaI (985—1014 CE) against the "salai" at Kandalur in Trivandrum Kerala. The...
Brihadishvara Temple, called Rajarajesvaram (lit. 'Lord of Rajaraja') by its builder, and known locally as Thanjai Periya Kovil (lit. 'Thanjavur Big Temple')...
chieftains of the Chola emperors RajarajaI and Rajendra I and chief of the Samanthas of Chittoor and also the husband of Rajaraja's elder sister Kunthavai Pirattiyar...
(under Rajendra I) c.1055 CE (under Rajendra II) c.1065 CE (under Virarajendra Chola) Under Rajaraja Chola I and his son Rajendra Chola I, the dynasty became...
culture. Sharada Pub. House, 1998. p. 23. Early Chola temples: Parantaka I to RajarajaI, A.D. 907–985, page 64 South Indian Inscriptions: Miscellaneous inscriptions...
Rajaraja II was a Chola emperor who reigned from 1150 to 1173. He was made his heir apparent and Co-Regent in 1146 and so the inscriptions of Rajaraja...
built by RajarajaI. Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, built by Rajendra Chola I. Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, built by Rajaraja II. The...
His period was famous for its social and cultural heritage. During Rajaraja Chola I's reign, Rajahmahendravaram was sacked by the Western Chalukya. The...
the eldest son of Parantaka Chola II. He was the elder brother of Rajaraja Chola I and Kundavai. He was called Virapandiyan Thalai Konda Koparakesari...
907 and 1215 CE. Under RajarajaI and his successors Rajendra I, Rajadhiraja I, Rajendra II, Virarajendra, and Kulothunga Chola I, the empire became a military...
Rajaraja Chola III succeeded Kulothunga Chola III on the Chola throne in July 1216 CE. Rajaraja came to the throne of a kingdom much reduced in size as...
and was followed by Raja Raja Chola I, the greatest Chola monarch.[citation needed] Under RajarajaI and Rajendra I, the Chola Empire reach its Imperial...
related to the Chola Kings. While Someshvara-I did destabilise Vengi by temporarily displacing Rajaraja Narendra, this act also initially disturbed Chola...
after his cousin Sundara Chola. From the death of Parantaka I, to the accession of RajarajaI in 985 CE, Chola history is obscure. During this period of...
Bharatanatyam, the Tamil heritage, page 42 Middle Chola temples: RajarajaI to Kulottunga I (A.D. 985–1070), page 266 Archaeology and art: Krishna Deva felicitation...
of a century, from roughly 993 CE (the date of Rajaraja's first invasion) to 1070 CE, when Vijayabahu I recaptured the north,east and central Sri lanka...
shrine, there is an inscription from the 13th year reign of the king, RajarajaI Cholan, indicating stipulation of delivering paddy to the temple by a...
was located in the Ay kingdom. The salai was sacked by Chola emperor RajarajaI (985–1014 CE) in c. 988 CE. Historians assume that the Ay were a leading...
Nadu now it is called as Karur. He lived during the reign of the king RajarajaI. According to the evidence from the Saint Agathiyar’s work "Agathiyar-12000"...
Aditya Chola I, the son of Vijayalaya Chola, was the Chola king who laid the foundation of the Chola Empire with the conquest of the Pallava Kingdom and...
Chalukyas, Pala Empire (Kamboja Pala dynasty; Mahipala), Chola dynasty (RajarajaI), Yadava dynasty, etc. Sub-Saharan Africa was still in the prehistoric...