Though Ashoka the Great had mentioned the Cholas in 3rd century BCE, it wasn’t until Rajaraja Chola took the throne that the Chola dynasty truly expanded to become the major power of medieval India. He expanded trade networks across the Indian Ocean, taxing heavily and plundering greedily in his military adventures and maritime expeditions, returning home to give back to his people.

Fathering the South Indian art of politics, he captured the imagination and devotion of his people through the ultimate symbol of royal and political power, a colossal temple dedicated to Lord Shiva (but named after himself). The Rajarajeswaram, otherwise known as Brihadeeswarar Temple, formed an economic storehouse for his accumulated wealth and a stage for his contributions to artistry with sculptures, dancers, elaborate ceremonies and lavish descriptions of his generous distribution of wealth to his kingdom. The temple itself is a feat of engineering and is still known to be one of the largest and tallest temples of India. It is fair to say that he certainly succeeded to memorialize his remarkable achievements in a temple that was as much about god as it was about himself.

REIGN 985 - 1014 CE