Rajendra Chola the Great

Rajendra Chola I (also Rajendra Chola the Great, Rajendra Chola Deva) was the most important King of Chola Empire. Rajaraja was succeeded by his son Rajendra Chola Deva.

As a prince, Rajendra Chola assisted his father in administration of the country and on accession to the throne he adopted the policy of his father of imperial expansion. He sent his invincible navy to the Bay of Bengal and succeeded in occupying Pegu, Andaman, and Nicobar etc. for some time.

Rajendra Chola defeated the Pala King Mahipal I of Bengal and in commemoration of this victory adopted the title ‘Gogaikonda’. He also established a new capital of the name of Gogaikondacholapuram and decorated this city by constructing a number of beautiful buildings. He excavated a large lake in the middle of the city.

On the death of Rajendra Chola, his son Rajadhiraj ascended the throne. The major part of his reign was consumed in putting down internal rebellion and wars with Pandya kingdom and Ceylon. In his attempt to invade the Chalukya territory he was killed at the hands of the Chalukya king. Rajadhiraj was succeeded by Adhirajendra. He was as incapable as high-handed as a ruler. The subjects were so dissatisfied at his rule that he had to lose his life at the hands of an assassin. During the rule of Adhirajendra the great Vaishnava philosopher Ramanuj lived at Srirangam within Chola kingdom. Ramanuja did not receive fair treatment at the hands of Adhirajendra who was a Saiva and the policy of persecution that he followed towards the Vaishnavas led Ramanuj to leave Srirangam and take refuge in Mysore. The Chola kings after Adhirajendra were weak and worthless, taking advantage of which Malik Kafur occupied Chola kingdom and thereby brought about the end of the Cholas.