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Kings & Dynasties

Cholas, Pandyas, Cheras, Pallavas and Nayaks — the rulers whose temples, ports, and proclamations built Tamil civilisation across two thousand years.

Chola Dynastyr. 985 – 1014 CE

முதலாம் இராஜராஜ சோழன்

Rajaraja Chola I

The greatest of the imperial Cholas, Rajaraja I built the towering Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur, reorganized Chola administration, and turned the Chola navy into the dominant sea power of the Bay of Bengal.

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Chola Dynastyr. 1014 – 1044 CE

முதலாம் இராஜேந்திர சோழன்

Rajendra Chola I

Son and successor of Rajaraja I, Rajendra Chola I pushed the Chola empire to its greatest territorial extent — marching north to the Ganges and launching a unique overseas naval expedition against the Srivijaya empire of Southeast Asia in 1025 CE.

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Pallava Dynastyr. c. 600 – 630 CE

மகேந்திரவர்மன் I

Mahendravarman I

A Pallava king of Kanchipuram remembered as a pioneering patron of Dravidian rock-cut architecture, and as the playwright behind the satirical Sanskrit drama Mattavilasa Prahasana.

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Pallava Dynastyr. c. 630 – 668 CE

நரசிம்மவர்மன் I (மாமல்லன்)

Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla)

Known as 'Mamalla' (great wrestler), Narasimhavarman I defeated the Chalukya king Pulakesin II and transformed the port town of Mahabalipuram — named in his honor — into an open-air gallery of rock-cut shrines and monolithic Rathas.

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Pandya Dynastyr. c. 1251 – 1268 CE

சடையவர்மன் சுந்தர பாண்டியன் I

Jatavarman Sundara Pandya I

The ruler who revived the Pandya kingdom into a second imperial age, subduing the Hoysalas, campaigning into Sri Lanka, and gilding the towers of great Tamil temples with gold.

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Madurai Nayak Dynastyr. 1623 – 1659 CE

திருமலை நாயக்கர்

Thirumalai Nayak

The most celebrated of the Madurai Nayak rulers, Thirumalai Nayak reshaped the temple city of Madurai — adding a grand hall and gopuram to the Meenakshi Amman Temple and building the palace that still bears his name.

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Chera Dynastyc. late 2nd century CE (Sangam Age)

சேரன் செங்குட்டுவன்

Cheran Senguttuvan

Celebrated as the greatest of the Sangam-era Chera kings, Senguttuvan is remembered for establishing the worship of Kannagi as the goddess of chastity — the Pattini cult — that later spread to Sri Lanka and Kerala.

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Madurai Nayak Dynasty (Regent)Regent, 1689 – 1704 CE

இராணி மங்கம்மாள்

Rani Mangammal

A widowed Nayak queen who ruled Madurai as regent for her infant grandson, Rani Mangammal is remembered as a capable administrator, road- and tank-builder, and military strategist in a kingdom surrounded by rivals.

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