Question

‘The expansion of the Chola empire was extensive during the medieval period.’ Explain this statement.

Answer 1

Instructions: To answer this question we need to list out the contributions of

• Rajaraja I
• Rajendra I
• Other Cholas

Solution: The Chola empire grew extensively during the medieval period, especially under Rajaraja I and Rajendra Chola.

• Rajaraja I: During his reign, the Pallavas were integrated into the Chola kingdom. Similarly, the Pallavas also became a part of the empire but were given independence on the condition of them being subservient to the Cholas.
• Rajendra Chola: He succeeded in expanding his kingdom as far as the northeast. He also sent naval expeditions against the Sailendra Kingdom of Indonesia, Kadaram, and Ceylon. This earned him the title ‘gangaiyum kadaramum konda cholan’.
• Other Chola achievements: Kulottunga I consolidated the empire through marriage with the eastern Chalukyas, extending the empire upto the border of Orissa. The maritime trade with south-east Asia and China also expanded under the Cholas. Interaction with Tamil merchants helped in the spread of its influence in south-east Asia.