Cholan

Cholan refers to a prominent dynasty that ruled parts of South India, primarily in the region of Tamil Nadu, for over a millennium. The Cholas emerged as a significant power around the 2nd century BCE and reached their zenith between the 9th and 13th centuries CE. Their rule is marked by extensive territorial expansion, administrative reforms, and patronage of art, architecture, and literature.

The early Cholas are mentioned in Sangam literature, a collection of ancient Tamil poems. However, the dynasty's resurgence and imperial expansion are largely attributed to rulers like Vijayalaya Chola, Aditya I, and Parantaka I. The Chola Empire reached its greatest extent under rulers such as Rajaraja Chola I and his son Rajendra Chola I. Rajaraja Chola I is renowned for his military campaigns, including the conquest of Sri Lanka, and for commissioning the magnificent Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur. Rajendra Chola I further expanded the empire's influence, famously leading an expedition into North India, a feat known as the "Gangaikonda Chola Puram" expedition.

Chola administration was highly organized, with a well-defined bureaucracy and a strong emphasis on local governance through village assemblies. Their economic prosperity was driven by agriculture, trade, and maritime activities, with extensive networks reaching Southeast Asia and beyond. The Cholas were also significant patrons of Tamil literature and learning, and their period witnessed the development of devotional literature, including the works of the Alvars and Nayanmars. The decline of the Chola Empire began in the 13th century, with internal strife and the rise of other powers like the Pandyas and the Vijayanagara Empire. The legacy of the Cholas endures through their monumental architecture, administrative systems, and their contribution to the rich cultural heritage of South India.