Latest news with #Chola
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Exploring the ancient Siva temples of Pazhaiyanur
The ancient village of Pazhaiyanur, located very close to Thiruvalangadu which is famous as the home of Siva worshipped as Vataranyeshwarar, also has two ancient Siva temples, one for Kailasanathar and the other for Thazhuvi Kuzhandishwarar. Pazhaiyanur village was famous and the entire area, in the Chola times, was called Pazhaiyanur Nadu. Inscriptions from the Vataranyeshwarar temple in nearby Thiruvalangadu mention that it was part of Pazhaiyanur and situated in Menmalai Pazhaiyanur Nadu, which was part of Jayankonda Chola Mandalam. A famous 11th century copper-plate inscription from Thiruvalangadu, belonging to the reign of Rajendra Chola I mentions that Pazhaiyanur was also called Puranagrama. Interestingly, the same inscription mentions the name of Vataranyeshwarar as Pazhaiyanur Amma. It is also noteworthy that an epigraph in the Thirusaktimutram temple, close to Kumbakonam, mentions a gift of livestock and lampstands by Vedavanam Udaiyan Karunakara Devan from far away Pazhaiyanur, clearly mentioned as being located in Pazaiyanur Nadu in Jayankonda Chola Mandalam. Over the centuries, Pazhaiyanur has become far less famous than Thiruvalangadu. The Kailasanatha temple in Pazhaiyanur village, which is small in size and much modernised, faces east, but the entrance, which is only a gate, is on the south. The central sanctum, enshrining a Siva Lingam, has a mandapam in front. Adjacent to the main shrine is one for Parvati, worshipped as Parvartavardini, facing south. In the prakaram (enclosure), are sanctums for Ganesa and Subramanya. A Chola inscription discovered on the east wall of the Kailasanatha temple refers to an agreement by people connected with the temple of Kailayamudaiya Nayanar for a lamp in this shrine. Another temple in Pazhaiyanur for Siva, worshipped as Thazhuvi Kuzhandishwarar, is also small in size. Once again, the entrance is from the south with no gopuram but only a gateway, while the temple faces east. The wide prakaram has an entrance leading to the sanctums inside. Straight ahead is a mandapam which leads to the south-facing shrine for Goddess Parvati, called as Anandavalli Amman while to the right is the sanctum enshrining the Siva Lingam worshipped as Thazhuvi Kozhundishwarar, facing east. The mandapam enshrines the images of the four important Siva devotees — Appar, Thirugnanasambandar, Sundaramurti and Manikkavachakar, collectively called Nalvar and also Vinayaka. Shrines for Lakshmi Narayana, Vinayaka, Subramanya and Chandikeshwara are seen in the prakaram and also a lovely Nandi on the east who gazes at Siva in the principal sanctum through a perforated stone window in the wall.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Writer's Corner: Anirudh Kanisetti's latest sheds light on how Chola empire's women and village assemblies shaped history
Around the turn of the previous millennium, in the wake of the decline of the Pallavas and the collapse of the Rashtrakutas, a new power had arisen in the lands watered by the Kaveri. The Cholas would go from strength to strength, their influence felt far up the eastern coasts and across the seas in Southeast Asia. As the Cholas declined in their latter days, new social and cultural trends arose amid the political changes. It is this diverse history that historian Anirudh Kanisetti tackles in his latest book, Lords of Earth and Sea: A History of the Chola Empire. Kanisetti first explored the history of the Cholas as part of his previous work, Lords of the Deccan, before devoting an entire book to the dynasty's history. Speaking to The Indian Express, he said, 'I became aware that my perspective was a very Deccan perspective. That's not all they were… They were an empire of the crossroads. They ruled over a large chunk of the East Coast, were connected to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. They were also well-connected to South Karnataka. I wanted to supplement this with the latest scholarship.' He added, 'While a lot of actors and politicians have been speaking of the Cholas of late, I wanted to present a history extensively steeped in the primary source. The Cholas were remarkable for their extensive inscriptions on temple walls. Simply absorbing that immense mass of material was quite a challenge. Across medieval Tamil Nadu, for all donors, there was a tendency to make inscriptions when a gift was made. This allows us to read deeply into the social history of this region… How temple donation practices and socioeconomic systems changed over centuries.' Apart from the help rendered by existing translations of Chola inscriptions and the latest research on them, Kanisetti's fieldwork also involved visiting Chola temple sites in Tamil Nadu and South Karnataka. The border region in South Karnataka, known as Gangavadi, was ruled by the Cholas after being captured by Raja Raja Chola. Recent archaeological discoveries were also of value. Kanisetti recalled, 'There have been very interesting findings at the Chola Palace in Gangaikonda Cholapuram (the Chola capital built by Emperor Rajendra I) besides the presence in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. To understand the Cholas, you must not look just at literary claims but also the hard evidence. Archaeologists working in Anuradhapura (in Sri Lanka) and Sumatra have really transformed our understanding of how the Chola world operated. On the Chola footprint in South Karnataka, he noted that it had manifested in multilingualism by way of the presence of the Tamil language, such as in temple inscriptions. Their presence was also felt in architecture, such as at the Kolaramma Temple where Chola officials and rulers had made proclamations. He added that the Begur Temple also had a shivalingam known as the 'Choleswara', possibly after a Chola general. An interesting topic covered in the book is that of Chola queens such as Sembiyan Mahadevi as well as those women who did not have similar means. Kanisetti said, 'The popular understanding does not do justice. They were primarily seen as pious women. Quite a lot of scholarship and inscriptions shows that these women also had very intelligent political minds and were sophisticated patrons of art and architecture. It was evident while looking at the history of temple bronzes and patronage that, in a lot of ways, women were the pioneers.' Kanisetti also noted that space in history ought to be given to those women smaller in stature than the queens, such as temple donors and politicians of various social classes, and those who did not leave as deep a mark on the historical record. He added that it was an eye-opener as to how often people who might be considered less important had influenced Tamil devotional culture. 'Many of the famous gopurams (towers) that you see across temples were actually commissioned as the empire was declining. They were commissioned by generals and aristocrats who were attempting to break away from Chola authority. Their wives and children made gifts to these sites. The way that Tamil temples developed into sprawling compounds was really a development of the late Chola period.' In his book, Kanisetti also highlights the role that village assemblies played, noting that often even Chola kings and princes took efforts to stay in their good graces. He noted that assemblies of cultivators such as the 'Shining Plough' would often take their own decisions on taxation without consulting royal officers. He said, 'The voices of the smaller people insisted on being heard and leaving a mark on the historical record… It really opened my eyes to the fact that medieval India was vast and politically diverse. These were intelligent people capable of holding their rulers to account and taking their own decisions. In a way, it makes you appreciate how deep India's democratic roots go.'
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Madhavi Gunasheela unveils the mysteries of southern India in ‘If Only They Knew'
Madhavi Gunasheela is a physician-turned-author whose debut novel, 'If Only They Knew', explores the rich landscapes and indigenous cultures of Southern India through the lens of a gripping crime thriller. Inspired by the Western Ghats and the indigenous Paliyan tribe of the Palani Hills, Madhavi blend's themes of fate, ambition, and morality with vivid settings and complex characters. Balancing a demanding medical career and single motherhood, she completed her novel with passion and discipline. Madhavi's work has resonated deeply with readers, marking her as an emerging voice in contemporary Indian fiction. Excerpts from an interview: 1. What inspired the story of If Only They Knew, and how did the idea first take shape in your mind? The story of 'If Only They Knew' was very much a journey rooted in life experiences and humanity itself. The inspiration came from the beautiful Western Ghats, the stunning mountain range running through Tamil Nadu. Having always loved the hills; I knew the story had to be set against this magnificent terrain. Initially, it started as a tale about everyday life in the town of Madurai, Southern India, but it naturally evolved to include the indigenous Paliyan tribe of the Palani Hills. Their close relationship with nature fascinated me as a writer. Meeting the Paliyans personally solidified my determination to make them the heart of the novel. Over time, the story organically transformed into a crime thriller, intertwining nature, culture, and mystery. 2. Your protagonist, Alagavel, faces tough ethical choices. What message were you hoping to convey through his journey? Alagavel is a smart, ambitious young entrepreneur, embodying the mindset of many youngsters setting out to make their mark in life. However, life's journey is rarely straightforward — it's an adventure that often leads into uncharted territories where the boundaries between right and wrong blur. Through Alagavel's ethical dilemmas, I wanted to explore how ambition can sometimes cloud judgment and lead to unintended consequences. Yet, I also wanted to emphasize that having a strong moral compass and the courage to pause and evaluate choices can help navigate even the toughest situations. It's a reminder that while life throws curveballs, ethical decisions can guide us through. 3. The book is set in Madurai, a city not often featured in mainstream fiction. How does the setting influence your narrative? Madurai is a culturally rich temple city with a history spanning over 2,000 years, once ruled by the Pandyan and Chola kings. It's a place full of warmth, tradition, and delicious South Indian Street food at every corner. Madurai's proximity to the Palani Hills made it the perfect backdrop for the story. Although I am a Kannadiga from Bangalore, I chose Tamil Nadu because of my vivid memories of visiting Kodaikanal as a college student. That experience left a lasting impression and drew me toward setting the story there. 4. You've blended crime fiction with deeper themes like fate, ambition, and morality. Was this intentional from the start? Not at all. When I began writing, the story was simply unfolding. But as the characters faced dilemmas and made choices, I felt a responsibility to reflect on their ethical struggles. The concept of fate, or Karma as I believe in, naturally intertwined with their actions and consequences. The novel became a reflection of how choices and destiny are linked, and how our actions shape our journey. 5. What was the biggest challenge you faced while writing this novel, and how did you overcome it? The biggest challenge was simply learning how to write creatively. As a doctor with no formal creative writing training, I had to understand the nuances of storytelling from scratch. Being a single mother of two daughters, finding time was tough. Writing often took a backseat due to other responsibilities. But eventually, I reached a point where I had to either give up or fully commit. I began dedicating 8 to 10 hours a day to writing, driven by passion and discipline. Despite the hurdles, the joy of writing kept me going and helped me overcome obstacles. 6. How have readers responded to the book so far? Any feedback that stood out? The response has been overwhelmingly positive and very gratifying. It's rewarding to know that readers appreciate the labor of love that went into this book. Of course, there have been some less complimentary reviews, but I respect all opinions — everyone is entitled to their own perspective. 7. Are you working on another book? Can you give us a sneak peek? I'm about to start my next literary journey soon. The idea is still hazy, and I'm not quite sure where it will lead yet. I'm excited to explore new themes and see how the story develops.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Reference to a Tamil book deciphered from a stone inscription
A team of historians, led by the Sarasvati Mahal Library Tamil Pandit, Mani Maran deciphered the name of a Chola period Tamil work – Thiruvadukoorpuranam – from the stone inscriptions found at the Thirukandeeswaramudaiyar temple in Cuddalore district. According to Mr. Mani Maran, he received information about the stone inscriptions found at Thirukandeeswaramudaiyar temple in Nellikuppam Municipal domain from councillor S. Selvakumar and subsequently inspected the same along with historians Thillai Govindarajan and G. Jayalakshmi. The reading of the inscriptions revealed that a person name 'Vanathiban' had coined the 'Vadukoorpuranam' – the 'sthalapuranam' of the Saivite temple at Vadukoor, which was mentioned in the 'Thevaram' hyms sung by Thirugnanasambandar. However, neither the palm manuscripts nor copper plates carrying the 'Vadukoorpuranam' were available now, he added.
India Today
22-05-2025
- General
- India Today
How Rajendra I Chola became ruler of the seas and led an expedition to far East
TS Rajendra was a Navy training ship commissioned on April 2, 1972. This legendary vessel was named after Rajendra I Chola the Great, who conquered parts of Southeast Asia during the early mediaeval period. It was under his reign that Indian culture travelled to the distant shores of Southeast conquered regions of present-day Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, and the Nicobar Islands. At its height, the Chola Empire commanded vast maritime Chola ruled for 30 years, from 1014 CE to 1044 CE, and is often referred to as Rajendra Chola the Great. Throughout history, we have heard of kings who ruled vast territories -- Alexander the Great, for example, who dominated Europe and the Middle East. Similarly, the Roman Empire left a lasting legacy, having governed all of Europe and parts of Rajendra I Chola, the Chola Empire's trade boundaries extended as far as Song China, and this was facilitated through connections with the Khmer Empire who are renowned for constructing the largest Hindu temple, Angkor famous expedition of Rajendra I Chola to Srivijaya (present-day Indonesia) forever changed the political and cultural influence of the empire far in the Cholas also had trade links with the Arab world and Africa, establishing a far-reaching commercial Cholas were not only known as skilled warriors and capable administrators, but were also accomplished builders. One notable achievement is the construction of Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur, built by Rajaraja I Chola, father of Rajendra I, in 1010 its height, the temple became one of the wealthiest in the region. It also served as an administrative centre, supporting activities related to social welfare and public SR Balasubrahmanyam records that Rajaraja gifted over 38,000 gold coins -- more than many European courts of the time. Alongside jewels and silver seized from defeated rivals, his offerings totalled nearly 95,500 gold coins. Chola empire under Rajendra I (Image: Wikimedia Commons) RISE OF THE CHOLASIndian history records two Chola dynasties from Southern India -- one as early as the 2nd and 3rd centuries BCE, and the other, the Imperial Cholas, to which Rajendra I belonged. The latter dynasty was based in Thanjavur and rose to power after defeating the Pallavas. Founded by Vijayalaya Chola, historians debate the lineage connection between the early and later Sailendra Nath Sen writes in Ancient Indian History and Civilisation, 'Vijayalaya, a descendant of the Early Cholas, reestablished (or founded) the Chola empire in 848 CE.'Around 850 CE, Vijayalaya Chola, seized Thanjavur from the Muttarayars during a conflict between the Pandyas and Pallavas, laying the foundation for the Imperial Chola Aditya I, the Cholas allied with the Pallavas to defeat the Pandyas in 885 CE and expanded into the Kannada the later years, the Cholas fought not only the southern powers but a major land-dominant dynasty, Rashtrkutas who ruled in ancient and mediaeval William Dalrymple notes in The Golden Road, 'The Chola dynasty grew to become the most powerful of all South Indian empires after defeating their rivals -- the Pallavas, their one-time overlords.'The Chola control over the entire southern coastline is remembered today in the Tamil term for the eastern coast -- Coromandel, which is a corruption of Cholamandala, meaning "Circle of Chola Rule."An eleventh-century Chinese bureaucrat offered a vivid glimpse into the grandeur of the Chola empire, writing:"The crown of the [Chola]" ruler is decorated with luminous pearls and rare precious stones. He is often at war with various kingdoms of Western Heaven [India]. The kingdom has sixty thousand war elephants. There are almost 10,000 female servants, 3,000 of whom alternate every day to serve at the court."advertisementThis account reflects not only the wealth and opulence of the Chola court but also the vast military strength and intricate administrative sophistication of one of South India's most powerful empires. Shiva as the lord of dance, Chola dynasty (Image: Wikimedia Commons) Verily, it was during the reign of Rajaraja Chola I that the venerable image of Nataraja -- Shiva as the cosmic dancer -- was drawn forth from the mists of sacred devotion and placed squarely at the heart of the Chola vision of divine the origins of this form lay in the fervent Tamil bhakti of earlier centuries, it was under Rajaraja's discerning furtherance that Natraja Shiva assumed new I CHOLA THE GREATRajendra Chola I rose to the throne in 1014 CE, after the death of Rajaraja I Chola. Even though nominated heir in 1012, it was only with Rajaraja's death that Rajendra finally came into his own as the chief force behind the Chola Empire's emergence as a power who ruled south-east Asia for the early 11th century, Rajendra Chola wanted to expand as well as legitimise his rule with bold and unorthodox tactics. He invested his sons with regalia taken from conquered enemies, naming them as "Chola Lord of Lanka" and "Chola-Pandya" to establish Chola his most dramatic action was the pursuit of a digvijaya -- a victory of the directions, aimed not just to add more territory to his empire, but to announce himself as universal emperor, with authority emanating to all points of the known world. Rajndra I Chola in Battle (Image: Wikimedia Commons) To an extent, it could be said that it was Rajaraja I who directed the Chola forces to penetrate into land to far east which not only covered land but mighty ocean first started to set about securing his grip on Sri Lanka, which in some parts had been conquered during Rajaraja I, completing a campaign begun by his father. He took King Mahinda 5 captive and subjugated the whole island to Chola power for the first initial military effectiveness and martial qualities of Rajendra I Chola were honed by campaigns against the Western Chalukyas and the kingdom of Anuradhapura, in addition to crushing rebellions in the regions of Chera and achievements of these regions not only consolidated the empire's southern border but also cemented Rajendra's status as a strategist who mastered I Chola expanded the influence of the empire by conquering Kalinga and Vengi and then defeated the Palas of Bengal, after which he was titled Gangaikonda Cholan, or "The Chola who conquered the Ganges".To mark the triumph, he established Gangaikondacholapuram, an imperial new capital which was a trade centre, administrative centre, and hub of cultural far from the Indian mainland, Rajendra gained control over Laccadive or Lakshdweep and the Maldives, which were the key islands on Indian Ocean trade routes connecting the Arab and African I CHOLA'S SEA EXPEDITIONS TO THE EASTHaving the ambition to establish dominance over the seas, Rajendra I led campaigns years after his accession to the throne, reaching the Far East, including Sumatra and other nearby empires. Seal of Rajendra I Chola found in far east (Image: Wikimedia commons) The first to be hit was Srivijaya (present-day Indonesia and Sumatra), which held a major point on the sea route to Majumdar writes in the overseas expedition of Rajendra Chola: "The attacks by one of the alliances of the Cholas on Sri Vijaya, the Khmer Empire under Suryavarman I, allowed Rajendra I to cross the seas and help Suryavarman.""As both the Khmer and the Cholas were Hindu kingdoms, their alliance was predominant. To counter this, Tambralinga of the Malay Peninsula turned to Srivijaya, whose rulers were Buddhists. Thus, it was set in motion a series of hostilities that culminated in the famed Chola naval expedition against Srivijaya," he writes campaign conquered parts of the Srivijaya empire, including regions such as Kedah, Tambralinga, and Pegu, extending Chola influence deep into Southeast the campaign, the Cholas sacked the capitals Kadaram and Pannai on Sumatra, and Malaiyur on the Malay Chola invasion did not only mark a military victory, but also the extensive proliferation of Tamil commercial activities beyond the seas of the east. Merchant guilds of ancient prestige -- like the Manigramam, the brave Ayyavole, and the famous Ainnurruvar -- did venture far into the vibrant ports of South-East for the greater part of a century to come, the business of trade and commerce in those far-off lands came to be directed, indeed controlled, by the hardworking hands of Tamil influence of this lasted for centuries, and records also show that a later branch of the Cholas ruled parts of Southeast Asia until the 16th century and contributed largely to the region's history. Charter issued by Rajendra I Chola (Image: Wikimedia Commons) It was then, under Rajendra I Chola, that the Tamil diaspora turned hand to an extensive expansion. Tamil temples began to appear along China's shores and across Southeast findings -- Tamil inscriptions, trade artifacts, and even adornments like a wedding necklace on an Arab or Indonesian bride of a Tamil trader -- testify to the rich cross-cultural exchange of these language of the Sumatran Karo tribe still carries dozens of Tamil loanwords -- a living testimony to the global influence of the Chola was the dominance of Rajendra I Chola on land and seas that made him The Great Rajendra I Chola, and it was his naval expedition that connected the Far East with southern India and established the exchange of trade and culture for Watch
