Latest news with #Cholas
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
BM Trippin' Tales: Ancient Gudekote awaits recognition as tourism treasure trove
Gudekote, with historical depth and natural beauty, deserves recognition. Conservation and sustainable tourism will uplift the region, protecting heritage Dr M Rajanna Principal of Gudekote College A Land Etched in History, Awaiting Preservation and a region rich with historical footprints—from the prehistoric era to the reign of the Mauryas, Cholas, and Palegars—remains a neglected gem. This land, once ruled by the Palegars and home to the brave woman warrior Onake Obavva, is steeped in heritage and echoes the grandeur of a bygone era. Yet, the question that looms large is: When will Gudekote be recognized as a tourist destination?Despite being home to ancient cave paintings, a Chola-era temple complex, and a fortress from the Palegar period, Gudekote in Karnataka's Ballari district remains largely forgotten. Historians and locals alike worry that without urgent preservation, these priceless remnants of the past could be lost amidst rocky hills, Gudekote is dotted with prehistoric rock art, stone tools, and burial sites such as Kindikone Samadhi, hinting at the region's significance since the Stone Age. The influence of the Mauryan Empire under Emperor Ashoka also stretches into this land, making it a rich archaeological of the standout landmarks is the Choleshwara Temple, located within Gururaj's orchard, alongside the Panchalinga shrines and a stepped tank dating back to the Chola dynasty. These structures, though fragile, still reflect the grandeur of ancient temple legacy is deeply entwined with the Palegars, local chieftains known for their defiance against imperial forces. The Gudekote Fort, strategically built with multiple watchtowers, battlements, granaries, and stepwells, stands as a silent witness to their rule. At the entrance of the village lies the Upparige Mahal, also known as Tangali Mahal, a symbol of royal architectural finesse. Surrounding the area are several monastic institutions such as the Hiremutt, Virakta Mutt, and the Veniveerappa Mutt, each holding historical and spiritual particular note is a unique monolithic sculpture in a Shiva-Parvati temple, portraying Parvati seated on Shiva's thigh, a depiction rare not just in Karnataka but across South India. Yet, this remarkable artwork is crumbling, with no signs of preservation efforts. Locals report that many such temples have been damaged by treasure hunters or left to deteriorate due to lack of is not just about history. During the monsoon, the semi-arid landscape transforms into a lush, green haven reminiscent of Malenadu.
India.com
29-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
10 Facts About Coimbatore City You Must Know
Coimbatore is nicknamed the 'Manchester of South India' and is located in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is well known for the heritage, industrial development, culture, and the calm beauty of nature that surrounds the city. Let us dive into the compendium of facts about India's one of the most emerging cities: 1. A Historical Legacy Spanning Centuries The very first use of Coimbatore dates back to the 2 nd century CE when Cheras – one of the 3 ancient Tamil dynasties was ruling. Since then, the city has revived under the reign of Cholas, Vijayanagara Empire, and the British. The modern nickname 'Coimbatore', is said to be derived from 'Kovanputhur.' This was Kovan's abode whose chieftain erstwhile ruled during the medieval period. 2. Gateway to the Western Ghats The district is the southern foothills of the Western Ghats which grants easy access to favorite hill stations like Ooty (Udhagamandalam), Valparai, Kotagiri. The Siruvani Waterfalls, neighboring the city, also serve as a breathtaking natural wonder. 3. South India's Textile Hub Coimbatore is the 'Manchester of South India' for a reason; it has a blooming textile industry. It consists of a variety of spinning and weaving mills as well as garment manufacturing units. Moreover, it plays a vital role in the cotton production of India and exports quality textiles all over the world. When the Texvalley Expo is held, the city gets even more recognition for its power as a textile industry. 4. Coimbatore's IT Growth The city has recently been noted as a growing IT center. A variety of multinational companies and local startups are being set up in the region due to the successful conditions, abundant workforce, and good transport connection. TIDEL Park and Kovai Techno Park are greatly aiding these changes. 5. Lord Murugan's Marudamalai Temple Coimbatore has quite a few famous temples, Maridamalai being one. It's on a hill and gives great views of the surrounding area. The temple attracts many tourists and devotees at all times of the year, especially on main days like Thai Poosam, Skanda Shastri and more. 6. A Leader in Engineering Education Coimbatore has some of India's best engineering Colleges. PSG College of Technology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kumaraguru College of Technology are some of the best engineering colleges in Coimbatore and the country. It is a worthwhile destination for students seeking technical education. They contribute significantly in the development of India's engineering talent pool. 7. Rich Biodiversity and Wildlife Sanctuaries Coimbatore is one of the best places for nature lovers because of its vicinity to places like Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park and also Anamalai Tiger Reserve. These protected places have a wide variety of plant and animal life such as: tiger, elephant, leopard and more than 200 birds. 8. A Hub For Small Scale Industries Coimbatore is well known for its small-scale industries like pump manufacturing and wet grinder production in addition to textiles and IT. This small industrial city of India is known as the industrial spine of India because it provides a large quantity of pumping solution and kitchen appliances. 9. Exciting Festivals and Artistic Traditions Coimbatore celebrates its multicultural identity through various festivals with great enthusiasm. The traditional celebrations of Pongal, Diwali, and Navratri are accompanied by events such as the Karamadai Mariamman Temple festival, which attracts thousands of devotees every year. The city hosts various cultural programs featuring classical music, dance, and other art forms of Tamil Nadu. 10. Good Transport and City Facilities The Coimbatore International Airport improves the city's access to major domestic and international locations. The city is also well-connected through rail and road, with the Coimbatore Junction being a significant railway station. Along with these, smart city projects are being undertaken to develop the city's infrastructure and improve the living standards of its citizens. Takeaway The city of Coimbatore is much more than an industrial hub; it is a breathtaking blend of natural beauty, traditional culture, and modern civilization. Its historical significance, places of worship, industrial development, educational opportunities, and smart city planning reflects the ever-changing city while preserving the rich cultural heritage. Whether it is for business or tourism, these ten pieces of information are enough to appreciate the city of Coimbatore.
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.'
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
Time of India
16-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
New stone inscriptions put Ootathur Sivan temple two centuries older to 10th C
Trichy: New stone inscriptions deciphered by the state archaeology department at Suththa Rathneswarar temple in Ootathur village in Trichy district has revealed that the Sivan temple is much older than thought. The temple had been believed to belong to the period of Vikrama Chola (1118-1135), but new stone inscriptions show that the temple is in existence since the reign of Parantaka Chola I (907-955). The state archaeology department said that 12 stone inscriptions were found at the temple during an inspection by K Manivasan, additional chief secretary of the tourism, culture, and religious endowments department. Five inscriptions were intact while seven inscriptions were in a fragmented state. Out of the five fully readable inscriptions, four were inscribed during the Cholas and one during the Pandyas. The temple was renovated during the reign of Vikrama Chola, during which many stone inscriptions in the temple belonging to the period of Raja Raja Chola I and Rajathiraja Chola I were shifted from sanctum sanctorum to the Nootrukkal mandapam in the temple. The inscriptions read that Ootathur village previously calledThiruootathur and was reclassified from 'Mazha' administrative zone to 'Rajasariya' administrative zone during Rajendra Chola I period. The new inscriptions recorded that Bagavan Mani Nangai, wife of Sruthiman Nilavailiyan, donated a new door to the temple in 937 AD, 30th reign year of Parantaka Chola I. Similarly, in 998 AD, 13th reign year of Raja Raja Chola I, Nakkan Aiyaaran alias Sundarachola Mutharaiyan, donated 30 cows to keep the temple's 'Nanda" lamp illuminated day and night. One of the inscriptions also praises Rajendra Chola I (Gangaiyum Kedaramum Konda Sri Rajendra Cholan) for his victorious conquests over Ganges and Kedah (Malaysia).
