Cholar Dynasty was a Thamil Dynasty which was one of the longest-ruling
dynasties in Early India. The earliest datable references to this Tamil dynasty are
in inscriptions from the 3rd century BC left by Ashokar Maharaja ( Asoka) The
Great , of Mauryan Perarasu ( Empire) ; as one of the Three Crowned Kings, the
dynasty continued to govern over varying territory until the 13th century
AD. The heartland of the Cholars was the fertile valley of the Kaveri
River, but they ruled a significantly larger area at the height of their power
from the later half of the 7th century till the beginning of the 13th century.
The whole country south of the Tungabhadram was united and held as one state
for a period of two centuries and more. Under Maharaja Rajaraja Cholar I and his
son Maharaja Rajendra Cholar I, the dynasty became a military, economic and
cultural power in South Asia and South-east Asia. The power of the new empire
was proclaimed to the eastern world by the expedition to the Ganges which
Rajendra Cholan I undertook and by the occupation of the maritime empire of
Srivijayam ( Srivijaya ) , as well as by the repeated embassies to
China. During the period 1010–1200, the Cholar territories stretched from
the islands of the Maldives in the south to as far north as the banks of the
Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. Maharaja Rajaraja Cholar conquered peninsular
South India, annexed parts of what is now Sri Lanka ( Ilangkai ) and occupied
the islands of the Maldives. Maharaja Rajendra Cholar sent a victorious
expedition to North India that touched the river Ganges and defeated the Pala
ruler of Pataliputra, Mahipala. He also successfully invaded kingdoms of the
Malay Archipelago ( South-East Asia ) . The Great Cholar dynasty went into
decline at the beginning of the 13th century with the rise of the Pandiyans,
who ultimately caused their downfall. The
Cholars left a lasting legacy. Their patronage of Tamil literature and their
zeal in building temples has resulted in some great works of Tamil literature
and architecture. The Cholar kings were avid builders and envisioned the
temples in their kingdoms not only as places of worship but also as centers of economic activity. They pioneered
a centralized form of government and established a disciplined
bureaucracy.
1. Bronze Cholar Statue of Lord Nadarajar
This is a bronze statue of Nadarajar, which resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
2. Standing Hanuman (11th Century AD)
This is an 11th century standing Hanuman, who is a Hindu deity and ardent devotee of Rama according to the Hindu legends. He is a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and its various versions. He also finds mentions in several other texts, including Mahabharata, the various Puranas and some Jain texts. A vanara (ape-like humanoid), Hanuman participated in Rama’s war against the demon king Ravana. He is son of Lord Vayu and incarnation of Lord Shiva.
3. Bronze Statues of Lord Shiva and Parvati (11th Century AD)
These statues are of Lord Shiva as a cowherd and Parvathi. They currently reside at the Ulster Museum.
4.Great Statue
5. Pillar Of Cholar Empire
6.Coins of Great Cholar Empire
