Renati Chola Era

The Telugu Cholas of Renadu (also called Renati Cholas) ruled over the Renadu region, the present-day Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh. 

Why is it in the news? 

In September 2020, a rare inscription dating back to the Renati Chola era has been unearthed in a remote village of Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.

In this article, we shall discuss a brief background of the Renati Cholas and the inscription unearthed by the Archaeological Department. It is also an important topic for candidates preparing for the upcoming IAS Exam. 

Renati Chola Era and Inscriptions [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

About the Unearthed Renati Chola Inscription 

• In July 2020, after deciphering two 7th century inscriptions of Renati Cholas, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had found the exact location of Renati Cholas’ capital in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. While one inscription displayed the capital Erikal in the Kamalapuram region of Kadapa, the other showcased the battle between Banas and Renati Cholas
• The inscription was written in archaic Telugu and was found engraved on a dolomite slab and shale
• It was assigned to the 8th Century AD when the region was under the rule of Chola Maharaja of Renadu
• The inscription seems to throw light on the record of a gift of six Marttus (a measuring unit) of land gifted to a person Sidyamayu, one of the Brahmins serving the temple at Pidukula village

About Renati Cholas

• The Telegu Cholas of Renadu (also known as Renati Cholas) ruled over the Renu region, which is the present-day Kadapa district
• Originally independent, they were later forced to the suzerainty of the Eastern Chalukyas and were the feudatories of the Chola dynasty
• Their inscriptions belonging to the 7th and 8th centuries were written in the Telegu language, instead of Sanskrit
• Nandivarman (500 AD) was the earliest of this family and is believed of having his origin in Erigal in the Tumkur district, situated on the border between Pallava and Kadamba regions

To know more about the Important Dynasties and Kingdoms of Ancient India, aspirants can visit the linked article.

The Chola Dynasty – A Brief Background

• The Chola Dynasty was one of the longest-ruling dynasties in history and was a Tamil dynasty of Southern India
• The Cholas conquered parts of Gujarat, Malwa, Deccan and Indonesia, Lakshadweep, Maldives and Sri Lanka in their entirety
• Kaveri delta was the main area where the Chola rulers ruled and the earliest traces of this dynasty can be found in the Sangam Age
• Extensive irrigation works, roads and cities were built during the reign of this dynasty, and they also maintained an efficient navy
• Construction of some of the finest temples and sculptures took place during this period. To know more about the Chola Temples, visit the linked article
• Recently, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched ‘Project Digital Poompuhar’ to recreate the Chola Dynasty port city (Poompuhar) in Tamil Nadu

Also, read Chronology of Ancient History of India to Modern History of India

To know about the other important empires and kingdoms, candidates can refer to the links given below:

Also, aspirants can review the detailed prelims and mains UPSC Syllabus for the upcoming Civil Services Exam at the linked article. 

For the latest exam updates, study material and preparation tips to ace the upcoming competitive exams, candidates can turn to BYJU’S for assistance.