Rajendra Chola I
- Why in news? : Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival was recently celebrated in Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu to mark 1000 years of Rajendra Chola I’s famous sea expedition, from July 23 to 27,2025. The event featured cultural programmes , exhibitions on Chola heritage and the release of a commemorative coin by Prime Minister Narendra Modi honouring the mighty Chola ruler.
- Introduction : Rajendra Chola was one of the greatest rulers of the Chola dynasty. He succeeded his father, Rajaraja I. His reign is considered to be the Golden Age of the Chola Empire.
- Military Campaigns : He continued his father’s expansionist policies and took the empire to new heights. He led a successful military campaign in 1217, after which he assumed the title of ‘Gangaikonda’. He also established a new capital called Gangaikondacholapuram. He launched a major naval campaign against the Srivijaya Empire (modern Indonesia and Malaysia), the first of its kind in Indian history. This victory established the Chola Empire as a major maritime power.
- Administrative and Cultural Contributions : He established a strong central and local administrative system. Art and architecture flourished during his reign. He built a magnificent Shiva temple, the Gangaikondacholapuram Temple, in his new capital, which is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture.
- Titles : ‘Gangaikonda’ and ‘Pandit Chola’.