Why is it in the news?
1. Paying glowing tributes to the military might and administrative acumen of Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola I, the Prime Minister said that the heights reached by the emperors were the source of inspiration, providing an ancient road map for India to become a developed nation.
2. To become a developed nation we must prioritise unity, strengthen our navy and defence forces and look for new opportunities while safeguarding our core values.
3. The Prime Minister also released a commemorative coin in the honour of Rajendra Chola I. The king has built Gangaiconda Cholapuram and Cholagangam, a massive lake, after his victorious expedition to the Gangetic plains about a 1000 years ago.
4. The Prime Minister said that the legacy of Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola is synonymous with India’s identity and pride. The history and heritage of the Chola empire proclaimed the true potential of India. Rajaraja Chola built a powerful Navy. His son Rajendra Chola I strengthened it. The Cholas strengthened local administration and established extensive trade and cultural links. The Chola rulers extended their diplomatic and trade relations to Sri Lanka, the Maldives and South East Asia.
5. The Prime Minister said that India too accorded the highest priority to national security. The world witnessed the firm and decisive response of the country during operation Sindoor to safeguard its sovereignty.
Who were Cholas?
1. The Chola Kingdom was situated to the North East of the territory of the Pandays between the Pennar and Vellar rivers. The kingdom sprang up around the third century BC and continued till the second century AD. The chief centre of political power lay at Uraiyur and Puhar.
2.Elara, a Chola king is set to have conquered Sri Lanka in the second century BC. The most famous Chola kings were Karikal. He built a 160 km long embankment along the Kavery river. However, around the 3rd century AD, the power of Cholas declined. The Cheras and the Pandyas expanded at the cost of Cholas. The Pallavas rose in Kanchipuram and they wiped out Chola power and so from fourth to ninth century, the Cholas remained feudatory of Pallavas.
3. The founder of the imperial Chola was Vijayalaya. He captured Tanjore in 850 AD and by the end of 9th Century the Cholas had defeated both the Pallavas and Pandyas. Although the Rashkuta king Krishna III defeated the Chola king Parantak I, Cholas recovered rapidly.
Cholas became the great Naval power
1. The Cholas built one of the most formidable navies in Indian history. Their ships were designed for both warfare and trade. They were equipped to navigate the open seas and engaged in battles. The Cholas constructed large vessels capable of carrying troops, supplies and trade goods across long distances. Ports like Nagapattinam and Kaveripattinam were hubs for ship building and naval operations. The Cholas established key naval bases around the Coromandel coasts, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Sri Vijaya Empire.
2. During the rule of Rajaraja (985 - 1014) and Rajendra I (1014-1044). The Cholas built an empire by strengthening its Navy. During their rule, the Bay of Bengal was virtually converted into a Chola lake. Rajaraja Chola conquered the northern part of Sri Lanka. He destroyed the Chera navy at Trivendrum and attacked Quilon. Madurai was captured from Pandyas. Similarly, Maldives was also conquered. During the rule of Rajendra I, the entire Sri Lanka was annexed. Moreover, the Chola army crossed the river Ganga and defeated Pala king.
3. During the period of Rajendra I, Naval expeditions were carried out against the Shri Vijaya kingdom (Malaysia and Indonesia). He established trade with China and the Middle East. They exported spices, textiles and gems, thereby fostering economic prosperity.
4. Their naval power secured maritime trade routes in the Indian Ocean enhancing their economic dominance. They have effective control over the strait of Malacca and the strait of Harmouz, the two choke points in the Indian Ocean.
5. Thus, the Chola rose to power through the combination of military conquests, naval dominance, economic prosperity and administrative efficiency.
6. By the end of the 13th century, the Chola power declined. The resurgence of Pandayas led to the defeat of the Cholas in the battle of Thondi in 1251. As the central authority weakened, the local chieftains and feudatories switched their loyalties to Pandyas. In 1279, the Pandayas captured their capital, Tanjore. Thus, the Chola dynasty was wiped out on account of weak leadership, internal rebellions, military over extension and resurgence of rival powers like Pandays and Hoysalas.
How can the legacy of Chola Dynasty and its naval supremacy be implemented by the Present Indian Government?
1. The legacy of the Naval supremacy of Cholas can be emulated and implemented by strengthening the Indian Naval bases in the Indian Ocean. It offers a blueprint for the Indian Government to enhance its maritime strategy, economic growth, cultural diplomacy and governance. By modernising the navy, developing ports, promoting cultural heritage and adopting decentralised governance, India can dominate the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. It is therefore incumbent that there must be an increase in defence budget for the upgradation of naval bases in order to neutralise the dominance of China in the Indian Ocean. Accelerating the Sagarmala project to modernise ports and coastal shippings is essential to further boost our trade efficiency. Since, the Indian Ocean is the life line for the Indian Economy and a guarantee for the security of our country. India must align with countries of the Indian Ocean region.
Conclusion
A Chola model of Naval superiority and administrative decentralisation provide a historical foundation for India to assert itself as a leading maritime and cultural power in the Indian Ocean region. By strengthening the Chola model of decentralisation of power at the grassroot level, India can strengthen its democratic set up further. By focusing upon naval superiority in the Indian Ocean, India can challenge the dominance of China in the Indo-Pacific Region.
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