Raja Raja I also known as Arumolivarman was the greatest chola ruler who helped raise the chola empire to become the largest dominion in South India till the 13th century. His military conquests, administrative reforms, and architectural brilliance earned him a unique place in South Indian history. The Chola power reached its pinnacle during the reigns of Rajaraja I and his son Rajendra I. In this article, we will discuss the Ruler of Chola dynasty Rajaraja I/ Arumolivarman (985 - 1014 CE) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Rajaraja I - Background

• Rajaraja I (947 CE – 1014 CE), also known as Rajaraja the Great, was a Chola emperor who reigned from 985 CE to 1014 CE and was the most powerful king in the south at the time.
• He is best known for restoring Chola power and ensuring its supremacy in South India and the Indian Ocean.
• His vast empire included the Pandya kingdom (southern Tamil Nadu), the Chera kingdom (central Kerala and western Tamil Nadu), and northern Sri Lanka.
• He also purchased the Lakshadweep and Thiladhunmadulu atolls, which are part of the Maldives' northernmost islands in the Indian Ocean.
• Campaigns against the Western Gangas (southern Karnataka) and the Chalukyas pushed the Cholas' influence all the way to the Tungabhadra River.
• On the eastern coast, he fought the Chalukyas for control of Vengi (the Godavari districts).
• Rajaraja, a capable administrator, also constructed the magnificent Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur, the Chola capital. The temple is considered to be the most important temple in the medieval south Indian architectural style.
• During his reign, the Tamil poets Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar's works were collected and edited into a single collection called Thirumurai.
• In 1000 CE, he launched a massive land survey and assessment project, which resulted in the reorganisation of the country into individual units known as valanadus.
• Rajaraja died in 1014 CE, and his son Rajendra Chola I succeeded him.

Rajaraja I - Military Conquests

Against Kandalur Salai

• In around 988 CE, Rajaraja celebrated a major victory at Kandalur Salai (present-day south Kerala). This battle is commemorated by the well-known phrase "Kandalur Salai Kalam-arutta."
• The engagement appeared to be the result of an effort by the Chola navy or a joint effort by the navy and the army.
• The salai was originally owned by the Ay chief, a vassal of Madurai's Pandya king. The involvement of Chera or Pandya warriors in this battle is unknown.
• This battle is sometimes equated with the conquest of Vizhinjam by the general of Rajaraja (mentioned in the Thiruvalangadu Copper Plates).

Conquest of Kerala and the Pandyas

• Rajaraja's inscriptions first appear in Kanyakumari district in the 990s, and in Trivandrum district in the early 1000s. Kerala was subjugated by the Cholas in the early 11th century.
• Rajaraja's Senur inscription (1005 CE) states that he destroyed the Pandya capital Madurai and conquered the "haughty kings'' of Kollam (Venad), Kolla-desham (Mushika), and Kodungallur (the Chera Perumal).
• Some of these victories in Malainadu may have been won by prince Rajendra Chola for his father.
• After defeating the Pandyas, Rajaraja took the title Pandya Kulashani (Thunderbolt to the Race of the Pandyas), and the Pandya country became known as "Rajaraja Mandalam" or "Rajaraja Pandinadu."
• The Thiruvalangadu Grant of Rajendra I mentions capturing certain royal Amarabhujanga while describing the Rajaraja's campaign in trisanku kastha (the south).
• The identity of this prince (whether a Pandya prince, a general of the Pandya king, or a Kongu Chera prince) is unknown.
• According to Kongu Desa Rajakkal, a Kongu Nadu region chronicle, this general later switched allegiances to Rajaraja and performed the Chola king's kanakabhisheka ceremony.
• Rajaraja assumed the title Mummudi Chola (the Chola Who Wears Three Crowns) after consolidating his rule in the south, a reference to his control over the three ancient Tamil countries of the Cholas, Pandyas, and Cheras.

Conquest of Sri Lanka​

• In 993, Rajaraja invaded Sri Lanka, which is known as Ila-mandalam in Chola records.
• This invasion most likely occurred during the reign of Mahinda V of Anuradhapura, who, according to the Chulavamsa chronicle, fled to Rohana (Ruhuna) in south-eastern Sri Lanka due to a military uprising.
• The Chola army sacked Anuradhapura and took over the northern half of Sri Lanka.
• The Cholas established a provincial capital at the military outpost of Polonnaruwa, naming it Jananatha Mangalam after a Rajaraja title.
• Tali Kumaran, a Chola official, built a Shiva temple called Rajarajeshvara (Lord of Rajaraja) in the town of Mahatittha (modern Mantota), which was renamed Rajaraja-pura.
• Rajaraja's son Rajendra I finished the Chola conquest of Sri Lanka in 1017. The Cholas ruled Sri Lanka until 1070, when Vijayabahu I defeated and expelled them.

Chalukyan Conflict

• Rajaraja conquered the regions of Gangapadi, Nolambapadi, and Tadigaipadi in 998 CE (present day Karnataka).
• While conquering and annexing Nolambapadi, Raja Chola extinguished the Nolambas, Ganga's feudatories. The conquered provinces were originally Rashtrakuta feudatories.
• The Rashtrakutas were defeated by the Western Chalukyas in 973 CE, resulting in direct conflict with the Cholas.
• An inscription from Dharwar describes Irivabedanga Satyashraya as a vassal of the Western Chalukyas and acknowledges the Chola onslaught.
• In the same inscription, he accuses Rajendra of arriving with a force of 955,000 and going on a rampage in Donuwara, thereby blurring the Dharmasastras' moralities of war.
• Rajaraja had conquered the Gangavadi province by 1004 CE. The Changalvas, who ruled over the western part of Gangavadi province, and the Kongalvas, who ruled over Kodagu, were made vassals.
• The Chola general Panchavan Maraya was rewarded with Arkalgud Yelusuvira-7000 territory and the title Kshatriyasikhamani for defeating the Changalvas in the battle of Ponnasoge.
• Rajaraja defeated Jata Choda Bhima, and Saktivarman was installed as a viceroy of the Chola Dynasty on the throne of Vengi. Bhima captured Kanchi in 1001 CE after the Chola army withdrew.
• Before re-establishing Saktivarman I on the throne of Vengi, Rajaraja expelled and killed the Andhra king known as Bhima.
• Rajaraja married his daughter Kundavai to his next viceroy of Vengi Vimaladitya, bringing the Chola Dynasty and the Eastern Chalukya Kingdom together and ensuring that Rajaraja's descendants would rule the Eastern Chalukya Kingdom in the future.

Hoysala Conflict

• The Cholas and the Hoysalas, who were vassals of the Western Chalukyas, had clashes.
• An inscription from the Gopalakrishna temple in Narasipur dated 1006 records Rajaraja's general Aprameya assassinating minister Naganna and other Hoysala generals.
• A similar inscription in Channapatna describes Rajaraja's victory over the Hoysalas.

Rajaraja I - Administration

• Prior to Rajaraja I's reign, parts of Chola territory were ruled by hereditary lords and princes who had a loose alliance with the Chola rulers.
• In 1000 CE, Rajaraja initiated a land survey and assessment project, which resulted in the reorganisation of the empire into valanadus.
• From Rajaraja I's reign until Vikrama Chola's reign in 1133 CE, hereditary lords and local princes were either replaced or turned into dependent officials. As a result, the king exerted greater control over the various parts of the empire.
• Rajaraja strengthened local self-government and established an audit and control system to hold village assemblies and other public bodies accountable while retaining their autonomy.
• He dispatched the first Chola mission to China to promote trade. Kundavai, his elder sister, assisted him in temple administration and management.

Rajaraja I - Religious Policy

• Rajaraja was a Shaivite, but he was tolerant of other faiths. He built several temples for Vishnu and encouraged the construction of the Buddhist Chudamani Vihara at the request of Srivijaya king Sri Maravijayatungavarman.
• Rajaraja dedicated the proceeds of the Anaimangalam village revenue to the upkeep of this Vihara.

Rajaraja I - Art and Architecture

• Raja Raja built the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur, dedicated to Lord Shiva, in 1010. The temple and capital served as a religious and economic hub. It is also known as Periya Kovil, RajaRajeswara Temple, and Rajarajeswaram.
• It is one of India's largest temples and a fine example of Dravidian architecture from the Chola period.
• The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples," along with the Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Airavatesvara temples.
• After hearing short excerpts of Thevaram in his court, Raja Raja Chola embarked on a mission to recover the hymns.
• He enlisted the assistance of Nambi Andar Nambi.
• Rajaraja was thus known as Tirumurai Kanda Cholan, which means "one who saved Tirumurai."
• Previously, Shiva temples only housed images of god forms; however, with the arrival of Rajaraja, images of the Nayanar saints were also housed within the temple.

Brihadisvara Temple built by Rajaraja I

Rajaraja I - Coins

• Prior to Rajaraja's reign, Chola coins featured the tiger emblem, as well as the fish and bow emblems of the Pandya and Chera dynasties, on the obverse and the name of the King on the reverse.
• However, during Rajaraja's reign, a new type of coin appeared. The new coins depicted a standing king on the obverse and a seated goddess on the reverse.
• The coins were copied by the kings of Sri Lanka and spread across a large portion of South India.

Rajaraja I - Inscriptions

• Rajaraja wanted to record his military achievements, so he carved the important events in his life in stone.
• An inscription in Tamil from Mulbagal, Karnataka, reveals his achievements as early as the 19th century.
• Rajaraja kept a record of all the donations made to the Thanjavur temple as well as his accomplishments. He also kept track of his predecessors' records.
• An inscription from his reign discovered at Tirumalavadi records the king's order that the central shrine of the Vaidyanatha temple at the site be rebuilt and that, before demolishing the walls, the inscriptions engraved on them be copied in a book.
• After the rebuilding was completed, the records from the book were re-engraved on the walls.
• Another inscription from Gramardhanathesvara temple in South Arcot district, dated in the king's seventh year, refers to the fifteenth year of his predecessor, Uttama Choladeva, who is described as the son of Sembiyan-Madeviyar.

Conclusion

Raja Raja I was one of the greatest rulers of South India. He was a conqueror, an empire builder a good administrator and a patron of art and literature. He laid the foundation of the greatness of the navy of the cholas who afterward became one of the foremost naval powers in Southeast Asia. He also laid the foundation of the local self government in the administration of the cholas. The navy and the local self government were primarily the contributions of Rajaraja I to the chola dynasty.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which temple is considered Rajaraja I’s greatest architectural achievement?

A) Meenakshi Temple
B) Brihadeshwara Temple
C) Sun Temple
D) Konark Temple

2. What was the primary objective of Rajaraja I’s naval expeditions?

A) To establish trade routes
B) To expand territory in North India
C) To conquer the Delhi Sultanate
D) To defeat the Pallavas

3. Under Rajaraja I, which overseas territory came under Chola control?

A) Maldives
B) Java
C) Persia
D) Egypt

4. Which of the following was a key administrative reform introduced by Rajaraja I?

A) Abolition of slavery
B) Detailed land survey
C) Introduction of a new currency
D) Construction of public schools

5. What was the significance of the Brihadeshwara Temple in Chola history?

A) It served as a military fort
B) It marked the religious dominance of the Cholas
C) It was a symbol of Chola architectural and cultural excellence
D) It was the administrative center of the empire

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the significance of Rajaraja I’s reign in the expansion of the Chola Empire.

Answer: Rajaraja I’s reign was a turning point in the expansion of the Chola Empire. His military campaigns consolidated Chola control over South India, including Kerala and parts of Karnataka, and extended the empire to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Rajaraja I’s naval expeditions strengthened the Chola navy and extended Chola influence to Southeast Asia, securing vital trade routes. His strategic conquests and efficient administration laid the foundation for the empire’s prosperity and dominance in the Indian Ocean region, making him one of the most important rulers of medieval India.

Q2: Discuss the architectural and cultural contributions of Rajaraja I, with special reference to the Brihadeshwara Temple.

Answer: Rajaraja I’s reign is renowned for its architectural and cultural contributions, particularly the construction of the Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur. This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is an architectural marvel, reflecting the grandeur of Chola architecture with its towering vimana, intricate carvings, and monumental scale. Rajaraja I was also a patron of Tamil literature and supported temple construction across the empire. His reign saw a flourishing of the arts and the establishment of Chola architectural and cultural excellence, leaving a lasting legacy in South Indian history.

Q3: Analyze the role of Rajaraja I in the development of the Chola naval power.

Answer: Rajaraja I played a pivotal role in developing the Chola navy into a dominant force in the Indian Ocean. His naval expeditions extended Chola influence to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and parts of Southeast Asia, ensuring control over important maritime trade routes. The Chola navy’s strength under Rajaraja I not only facilitated military conquests but also enhanced the empire’s economic prosperity through increased trade. His focus on naval power marked the Chola Empire as a significant maritime power, securing its dominance in the region.

Previous Year Questions on Rajaraja I

1. UPSC CSE Mains 2016 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Analyze the role of Rajaraja I in the expansion of the Chola Empire and his contributions to South Indian culture.

Answer: Rajaraja I played a key role in the expansion of the Chola Empire through his military conquests and naval expeditions. His reign marked the consolidation of Chola power in South India and the extension of the empire’s influence over Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Rajaraja I’s cultural contributions, particularly the construction of the Brihadeshwara Temple, showcase the architectural and artistic achievements of the Chola period. His patronage of Tamil literature and support for temple construction further enriched South Indian culture during his reign.