The Cholas were among the most powerful dynasties of medieval southern India. They became especially prominent from the ninth century CE and developed a powerful state, naval capability, local administrative institutions, monumental temples and extensive maritime contacts.

चोल वंश मध्यकालीन दक्षिण भारत के सबसे शक्तिशाली राजवंशों में से एक था। नौवीं शताब्दी ईस्वी के बाद चोल शक्ति का तीव्र विकास हुआ। उन्होंने शक्तिशाली प्रशासन, नौसैनिक क्षमता, स्थानीय स्वशासन, विशाल मंदिरों और समुद्री व्यापार का विकास किया।

---

Vijayalaya Chola / विजयालय चोल

The revival of imperial Chola power is generally associated with Vijayalaya.

चोल साम्राज्य के पुनरुत्थान का संबंध सामान्यतः विजयालय चोल से जोड़ा जाता है।

He captured Thanjavur, which became an important Chola centre.

उसने तंजावुर पर अधिकार किया, जो आगे चलकर चोलों का महत्वपूर्ण केंद्र बना।

---

Rajaraja I / राजराज प्रथम

Rajaraja I was one of the greatest Chola rulers.

राजराज प्रथम चोल वंश के महानतम शासकों में से एक था।

His reign witnessed major territorial expansion and administrative consolidation.

उसके शासनकाल में साम्राज्य का विस्तार और प्रशासनिक सुदृढ़ीकरण हुआ।

He constructed the famous:

Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur

तंजावुर का बृहदीश्वर मंदिर

The temple is one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture.

यह द्रविड़ वास्तुकला का उत्कृष्ट उदाहरण है।

---

Rajendra I / राजेंद्र प्रथम

Rajaraja I was succeeded by his son Rajendra I.

राजराज प्रथम के बाद उसका पुत्र राजेंद्र प्रथम शासक बना।

Rajendra conducted successful military campaigns towards northern India.

राजेंद्र ने उत्तर भारत की दिशा में सफल सैन्य अभियान किए।

He assumed the title:

Gangaikonda Chola

He founded:

Gangaikondacholapuram

---

Chola Naval Power / चोल नौसैनिक शक्ति

The Cholas developed strong maritime capabilities and conducted campaigns across the Bay of Bengal.

चोलों ने शक्तिशाली समुद्री क्षमता विकसित की और बंगाल की खाड़ी के पार सैन्य अभियान किए।

Rajendra I's campaign against the Srivijaya kingdom is particularly important.

श्रीविजय साम्राज्य के विरुद्ध राजेंद्र प्रथम का अभियान विशेष रूप से महत्वपूर्ण है।

---

Chola Administration / चोल प्रशासन

The Cholas developed a highly organized administrative system.

चोलों ने एक सुव्यवस्थित प्रशासनिक व्यवस्था विकसित की।

The kingdom was divided into territorial units.

Important terms include:

Mandalam / मंडलम्

Valanadu / वलनाडु

Nadu / नाडु

Village / ग्राम

---

Local Self-Government / स्थानीय स्वशासन

Village administration is an especially important examination topic.

ग्राम प्रशासन प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं की दृष्टि से अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण है।

Ur

Assembly of ordinary villages.

Sabha or Mahasabha

Assembly associated particularly with Brahmadeya villages.

Nagaram

Association associated with merchants and commercial settlements.

---

Uttaramerur Inscriptions / उत्तरमेरूर अभिलेख

The Uttaramerur inscriptions provide important information about Chola-period village administration and committee arrangements.

उत्तरमेरूर अभिलेख चोलकालीन ग्राम प्रशासन तथा समितियों की व्यवस्था की महत्वपूर्ण जानकारी देते हैं।

---

Chola Art and Architecture

Important temples:

Brihadisvara Temple — Thanjavur

Gangaikondacholisvaram — Gangaikondacholapuram

Airavatesvara Temple — Darasuram

Chola-period bronze sculpture also became highly developed.

चोलकालीन कांस्य मूर्तिकला भी अत्यंत विकसित थी।

The image of Nataraja, Shiva as the cosmic dancer, is particularly famous.

नटराज की कांस्य प्रतिमाएँ चोल कला की प्रसिद्ध उपलब्धियों में हैं।

---

History Practice — 30 Questions

Q1

Who is associated with the revival of imperial Chola power?

Answer: Vijayalaya Chola / विजयालय चोल

Q2

Vijayalaya captured:

A. Thanjavur
B. Pataliputra
C. Kannauj
D. Taxila

Answer: A

Q3

Brihadisvara Temple was built by:

Answer: Rajaraja I / राजराज प्रथम

Q4

Brihadisvara Temple is located at:

Answer: Thanjavur / तंजावुर

Q5

Rajaraja I belonged to:

Answer: Chola dynasty / चोल वंश

Q6

Rajendra I was the son of:

Answer: Rajaraja I

Q7

Who founded Gangaikondacholapuram?

Answer: Rajendra I

Q8

“Gangaikonda Chola” is associated with:

Answer: Rajendra I

Q9

Which Chola ruler launched an expedition against Srivijaya?

Answer: Rajendra I

Q10

Srivijaya was an important maritime power of:

A. Southeast Asia
B. Central Asia
C. Europe
D. Africa

Answer: A

Q11

Which dynasty is particularly noted for naval strength?

Answer: Cholas / चोल

Q12

The Cholas primarily ruled in:

Answer: Southern India / दक्षिण भारत

Q13

Brihadisvara Temple represents primarily:

A. Dravidian architecture
B. Gothic architecture
C. Persian architecture
D. Roman architecture

Answer: A

Q14

Uttaramerur inscriptions are famous for information about:

Answer: Local administration / स्थानीय प्रशासन

Q15

“Sabha” in Chola administration was associated particularly with:

Answer: Brahmadeya villages

Q16

“Ur” was generally:

Answer: Village assembly / ग्राम सभा

Q17

“Nagaram” was associated especially with:

Answer: Merchants / व्यापारी

Q18

Which was a territorial administrative unit?

A. Nadu
B. Iqta
C. Suba
D. Sarkar

Answer: A

Q19

Which was a larger Chola administrative division?

Answer: Mandalam

Q20

Chola bronze art is especially famous for images of:

Answer: Nataraja / नटराज

Q21

Nataraja represents:

Answer: Shiva as cosmic dancer / ब्रह्मांडीय नर्तक के रूप में शिव

Q22

Gangaikondacholisvaram is associated with:

Answer: Chola architecture**

Q23

Airavatesvara Temple is located at:

Answer: Darasuram / दारासुरम

Q24

Which ruler expanded Chola influence towards the Ganga region?

Answer: Rajendra I

Q25

Which Chola king preceded Rajendra I?

Answer: Rajaraja I

Q26

Chola maritime expansion mainly involved which oceanic region?

Answer: Bay of Bengal and connected Indian Ocean routes

Q27

Which inscriptions are frequently cited as evidence for village committees?

Answer: Uttaramerur inscriptions

Q28

Which pair is correctly matched?

A. Rajaraja I — Brihadisvara Temple
B. Ashoka — Brihadisvara Temple
C. Harsha — Gangaikondacholapuram
D. Kanishka — Uttaramerur

Answer: A

Q29

Which pair is correctly matched?

A. Rajendra I — Gangaikondacholapuram
B. Samudragupta — Thanjavur temple
C. Harsha — Srivijaya expedition
D. Pulakeshin II — Nataraja bronzes

Answer: A

Q30

Which three features are strongly associated with Chola history?

A. Naval power, temples and local administration
B. Mansabdari, Persian miniatures and Din-i-Ilahi
C. Satraps, Gandhara and Silk Route only
D. Ashokan edicts, stupas and dhamma

Answer: A