Source: TH
Context: India is commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Rajendra Chola I’s northern expedition, which led to the establishment of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, a grand Chola capital and a UNESCO-listed architectural marvel.
About Gangaikonda Cholapuram:
- What is Gangaikonda Cholapuram?
-
- It was the imperial capital of the Cholas from 1025 CE to 1279 CE, established by Rajendra Chola I.
- Located in Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu, the city housed palaces, a massive water reservoir (Chola Gangam), and the Brihadisvara Temple (Gangaikonda Cholisvaram).
- Built By: Rajendra Chola, I built the city after his victorious military expedition to the Gangetic plains.
- He assumed the title ‘Gangaikonda Cholan’ and brought Ganga water to pour into a tank, symbolising southern supremacy over the north.
- Architectural Features:
-
- The Gangaikonda Cholisvaram Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, mirrors the grandeur of the Thanjavur Brihadisvara Temple.
- It features intricate carvings, majestic vimanas, and a unique jalasthambam (liquid pillar of victory) — the Chola Gangam.
- The city once boasted fortified palaces, multiple royal buildings, and wide, planned roads, as per inscriptions and Tamil literary works.
- Epigraphic Evidence:
-
- The Tiruvalangadu and Karanthai copper plates, along with the Kalingattuparani and Muvar Ula, document the capital’s glory.
- Vira Rajendra’s inscriptions refer to the palace as Chola-Keralan Thirumaaligai, showcasing the dynasty’s titles and political vision.
- Cultural and Political Significance:
-
- Gangaikonda Cholapuram was the nerve centre of south India’s politics, trade, and culture for over two centuries.
- It symbolised Chola dominance from the Tungabhadra in the north to Sri Lanka in the south.
- Today, it remains one of the UNESCO World Heritage ‘Great Living Chola Temples’, along with the temples at Thanjavur and Darasuram.
