Rajaraja Chola

Rajaraja was the greatest king of the Chola dynasty. With him began the history of peace and prosperity of the Chola kingdom. During his long reign Rajaraja conquered many territories and made himself the unquestioned master of the Deccan. He defeated the Chera and Pandya kingdoms and occupied Vengi by defeating the East-Chalukyas. With the help of his powerful navy Rajaraja conquered Ceylon and the Malaya. His kingdom spread from present Madras Presidency to Coorg, Quilon, Pandya kingdom, Ceylon, Malabar coasts.

Rajaraja was not great as a conqueror alone; he was equally great as patron of literature, art and architecture. The famous Siva temple at Tanjore was built under his patronage. On the walls of that temple the accounts of Rajaraja’s wars have been inscribed. The temple bears testimony to Rajaraja’s greatness both at war and peace. He was really a great king and the appellation Rajaraja the Great has been well deserved by him.

Rajaraja was a devotee of Siva but he was tolerant to other religions he made a liberal gift to the Burmese temple at Negapattam.