Rise of the Imperial Cholas

The imperial Chola resurgence began when Vijayalaya Chola captured Thanjavur around 848 CE, establishing a dynasty that would, over the next four centuries, become the dominant power of South India and one of the great empires of the medieval world. Under Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014 CE) and his son Rajendra Chola I (1014–1044 CE), the empire expanded to control most of South India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, and famously launched a naval expedition across the Bay of Bengal against the Srivijaya empire in Southeast Asia — an extraordinary demonstration of Chola maritime capability. Rajendra Chola I also led an expedition to the Ganges, earning the title 'Gangaikonda Chola' and founding a new capital, Gangaikonda Cholapuram. The Cholas developed one of the most sophisticated administrative systems of the medieval world, including village self-governance documented in inscriptions like those at Uthiramerur, and were prolific temple builders — the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur being their crowning architectural achievement.