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Rajaraja Chola King of Kings
greatest rulers of medieval India. During his reign, the Chola empire expanded through virtually all of the southern reaches of the peninsula and beyond, from the Krishna-Godavari delta in northern Andhra Pradesh to large parts of northern Sri Lanka. Born Arulmozhi Varman in 947 ce, he trained under his father and uncle for over a quarter of a century and then ruled for twenty-nine years. King of Kings is a fitting title for this multifaceted man who was brilliant, ambitious, ruthless, and a visionary. He fortified the foundations of what was till then a ragtag kingdom, put into place a meticulously organized system of administration, and led the kingdom to reign supreme in military might, as an economic powerhouse, and in art, architecture, literature, music, and dance. In this book, Kamini Dandapani explores the man behind the larger-than-life image of Rajaraja and the milieu in which he reigned. The origins of the Chola empire lie in the Sangam era around 2,000 years ago, when the first rulers of the family, men like Karikala and Kochengannan, ruled over small tracts of land around the Kaveri delta. By the middle of the ninth century, the ‘Imperial Cholas’ (as historians named them) began to consolidate power at the expense of rivals like the Pallavas, Rashtrakutas,Chalukyas, Cheras, Gangas, Pandyas, and other smaller kingdoms. Rajaraja became king in 985 ce and, during his reign, the Chola empire reached its zenith. All his major achievements are described in detail―victories on the battlefield, the expansion of territory, the building of the monumental Brihadeeshwara Temple, the gargantuan land survey, and much else besides. The book goes into every aspect of Chola society―the place of women, the flowering of culture, including the making of exquisite Chola bronzes, the spread of religion, and the lives of ordinary people. After the death of Rajaraja in 1014, his son Rajendra expanded the empire; others that followed had mixed fortunes and, a couple of centuries later, the dynasty succumbed to their greatest rivals, the Pandyas. However, in their heyday, and especially under their greatest king, few empires or emperors could compare with the Cholas and Rajaraja. This scrupulously researched and brilliantly told biography brings to vivid and compelling life one of India’s greatest empires and rulers.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
392 pages, Hardcover
Published February 28, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 4, 2025
For a long time, at least since I read 'Rebel Sultans' by Manu S. Pillai, I have wanted to read a book that explores at least one of the Southern dynasties in greater detail. I picked up 'Ponniyin Selvan' by Kalki, expecting it to shed some light on the Chola dynasty, but it turned out to be historical fiction, more focused on courtroom intrigue and the fantastic, yielding very little historical knowledge along the way. Even 'The Golden Road' by William Dalrymple, which touches upon the Pallavas and Cholas, focuses more on their impact on maritime trade between India and the East. So it was with great delight that I picked up 'Rajaraja Chola' by Kamini Dandapani from the library—and it certainly delivered on the promise of depth about the Chola reign.
Rajaraja Chola was one of the greatest rulers this country has ever produced, with grand ambitions, ruthless execution skills, and a sense of his own grandeur in the larger scheme of things. At one point, the Cholas ruled almost the entire South of India, stretching north to Orissa and West Bengal, encompassing major parts of Sri Lanka, and exerting a large influence (through both soft and hard power) over Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia. While the Cholas were focused on expanding their reach and influence, they were also mindful of the legacy they would leave behind. Believing their dynasty had been blessed by none other than Lord Shiva, Rajaraja Chola, followed by his son Rajendra Chola, commissioned two of the most magnificent temples this country has ever seen—the Brihadeeshwara Temple in Thanjavur and the Gangaikondacholapuram Temple in a town of the same name, among many other temples that dot the landscape of their reign.
Even more fascinating are the thousands of stone inscriptions that adorn the walls of these temples, as well as base mouldings, trellis windows, sculptures, and copper plates (including the Anbil, Leiden, Thiruvalangadu, and Kanyakumari grants). These inscriptions cover a wide range of topics: they detail the genealogy of the Cholas, from mythical to protohistoric to the current lineage; they describe which ruler commissioned the temples, who donated during their construction and operation, how many people were employed by the temples, and what salaries they drew based on their work; they recount the wars won by the rulers; and interestingly, when any other dynasty—like the Chalukyas or Pandyas—conquered a Chola region, they added to the temple inscriptions in the territories they won, mentioning their own legacy, and vice versa.
In a way, these inscriptions provide us with a written history of those times—quite detailed, carved on stone and copper, and deciphered only about 150 years ago. When I was reading Ponniyin Selvan, I was struck by how much the author seemed to know about the time of Rajaraja Chola’s rule, especially since we know so little about another great ruler from the North, Prithviraj Chauhan, who came much later. Now I understand that there are very few inscriptions from his reign and none by him directly. What we know about this great ruler comes primarily from epic poems like Prithviraj Raso or Muslim accounts. Additionally, it is possible that not many temples survive in North India, as they bore the brunt of Muslim invasions to a much greater extent than the southern parts of the country. This makes one wonder: if we look 1,000 years ahead, what will survive from our day and age? I asked this question to ChatGPT, and it gave me a comprehensive answer, with the following conclusion:
“A thousand years from now, the blend of ancient traditions, colonial heritage, and modern technological advancements would create a multi-layered archive of India in the 2000-2025 period. This combination of digital and physical preservation—ranging from stone inscriptions to digital records—would offer future historians a complex and varied view of one of the most dynamic nations in the 21st century.”
A lot might survive from our times on this Earth. If you have a sense of history, you should certainly go for it and do something remarkable to be etched in the annals of modern history, forever remembered from this point onward.
This book covers much more—the famous bronze idols of these temples, the maritime trade during the Chola period, the Cholas' relationships with Sri Lanka, Southeast Asian countries, and China, the powerful women of the time, law and order, the Bhakti movement, and the Nayanmar saints. It also explores the interplay between various dynasties—the Cheras, Pandyas, Hoysalas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas—and the way the Cholas both dominated and were dominated by them at different times in history.
'Rajaraja Chola' is a fascinating read about a glorious chapter in Indian history. It's definitely worth your time!
Rajaraja Chola was one of the greatest rulers this country has ever produced, with grand ambitions, ruthless execution skills, and a sense of his own grandeur in the larger scheme of things. At one point, the Cholas ruled almost the entire South of India, stretching north to Orissa and West Bengal, encompassing major parts of Sri Lanka, and exerting a large influence (through both soft and hard power) over Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia. While the Cholas were focused on expanding their reach and influence, they were also mindful of the legacy they would leave behind. Believing their dynasty had been blessed by none other than Lord Shiva, Rajaraja Chola, followed by his son Rajendra Chola, commissioned two of the most magnificent temples this country has ever seen—the Brihadeeshwara Temple in Thanjavur and the Gangaikondacholapuram Temple in a town of the same name, among many other temples that dot the landscape of their reign.
Even more fascinating are the thousands of stone inscriptions that adorn the walls of these temples, as well as base mouldings, trellis windows, sculptures, and copper plates (including the Anbil, Leiden, Thiruvalangadu, and Kanyakumari grants). These inscriptions cover a wide range of topics: they detail the genealogy of the Cholas, from mythical to protohistoric to the current lineage; they describe which ruler commissioned the temples, who donated during their construction and operation, how many people were employed by the temples, and what salaries they drew based on their work; they recount the wars won by the rulers; and interestingly, when any other dynasty—like the Chalukyas or Pandyas—conquered a Chola region, they added to the temple inscriptions in the territories they won, mentioning their own legacy, and vice versa.
In a way, these inscriptions provide us with a written history of those times—quite detailed, carved on stone and copper, and deciphered only about 150 years ago. When I was reading Ponniyin Selvan, I was struck by how much the author seemed to know about the time of Rajaraja Chola’s rule, especially since we know so little about another great ruler from the North, Prithviraj Chauhan, who came much later. Now I understand that there are very few inscriptions from his reign and none by him directly. What we know about this great ruler comes primarily from epic poems like Prithviraj Raso or Muslim accounts. Additionally, it is possible that not many temples survive in North India, as they bore the brunt of Muslim invasions to a much greater extent than the southern parts of the country. This makes one wonder: if we look 1,000 years ahead, what will survive from our day and age? I asked this question to ChatGPT, and it gave me a comprehensive answer, with the following conclusion:
“A thousand years from now, the blend of ancient traditions, colonial heritage, and modern technological advancements would create a multi-layered archive of India in the 2000-2025 period. This combination of digital and physical preservation—ranging from stone inscriptions to digital records—would offer future historians a complex and varied view of one of the most dynamic nations in the 21st century.”
A lot might survive from our times on this Earth. If you have a sense of history, you should certainly go for it and do something remarkable to be etched in the annals of modern history, forever remembered from this point onward.
This book covers much more—the famous bronze idols of these temples, the maritime trade during the Chola period, the Cholas' relationships with Sri Lanka, Southeast Asian countries, and China, the powerful women of the time, law and order, the Bhakti movement, and the Nayanmar saints. It also explores the interplay between various dynasties—the Cheras, Pandyas, Hoysalas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas—and the way the Cholas both dominated and were dominated by them at different times in history.
'Rajaraja Chola' is a fascinating read about a glorious chapter in Indian history. It's definitely worth your time!
January 20, 2025
Beautiful. Makes you interested in reading about your past. I wish our history books are written by the modern day historians like Kamini Dandapani .
Our children will be truly inspired by their ancestors if they are taught about their past with easy storytelling instead of boring dates and names without much context.
Our children will be truly inspired by their ancestors if they are taught about their past with easy storytelling instead of boring dates and names without much context.
December 10, 2023
Superb book. Well written and researched, full of very interesting information. A must-read for history buffs.
April 19, 2023
I am so happy I got this book. I think the author is not a historian per se, but even if she is, the book was written in a easy to understand manner without delving too deep into the nitty gritties, so that North Indians like me who didn't have much clue about the cholas could also feel like a part of their vibrant world.
I had read Anirudh Kanisetty's Lords of The Deccan too, but not much was given about the Cholas, and they (I think) were painted in a more unfavorable light. With this book, I now have a balanced view of medieval south India (pre Deccan sultanate and Vijaynagar) and ykw I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about the mighty cholas.
The only downside - I felt book three (a segment of this book) was a bit dull 😅
I had read Anirudh Kanisetty's Lords of The Deccan too, but not much was given about the Cholas, and they (I think) were painted in a more unfavorable light. With this book, I now have a balanced view of medieval south India (pre Deccan sultanate and Vijaynagar) and ykw I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about the mighty cholas.
The only downside - I felt book three (a segment of this book) was a bit dull 😅
January 11, 2023
Thank you Aleph Book Company for a media copy of the book.
Kamini Dandapani's Raja Raja Chola: King of Kings is a compelling and well-researched biography of one of India's most iconic rulers. The book delves into the life and reign of Rajaraja Chola, one of the greatest kings of the medieval period, who expanded the Chola empire to unprecedented heights, both in terms of territorial expansion and cultural achievement.
Throughout the book, Dandapani paints a detailed portrait of Rajaraja's character, highlighting his ambition, brilliance, and ruthlessness. The author also provides an in-depth look into the cultural, social, and political milieu of the Chola empire under Rajaraja's rule. The Chola dynasty has its roots in the Sangam era, around 2,000 years ago, and by the time of Rajaraja's reign, the dynasty had already established itself as a powerful force in southern India, having defeated rivals such as the Pallavas and the Pandyas.
One of Rajaraja's most notable achievements was the construction of the Brihadeeshwara Temple, a monumental structure that stands as a testament to the engineering and architectural capabilities of the Cholas. Dandapani provides a fascinating account of the temple's construction and its significance, both in terms of its religious and cultural impact.
Additionally, the author discusses the Chola society under Rajaraja's rule, including the lives of ordinary people, the place of women, the flourishing of culture, and the spread of religion. The Chola empire was also an economic powerhouse, and Dandapani provides insights into the empire's trade and agricultural practices.
The book also chronicles the life of Rajaraja's son and successor, Rajendra, who expanded the empire even further and followed in his father's footsteps in many ways. However, the Chola dynasty's fortunes began to decline after Rajaraja's death, and the empire eventually succumbed to its rivals, the Pandyas.
Overall, Raja Raja Chola: King of Kings is a comprehensive and well-written biography that offers an in-depth look into the life and reign of one of India's most iconic kings. The author has done a fantastic job of weaving together various historical accounts, cultural and political analysis and personal anecdotes to give a well-rounded account of Rajaraja Chola. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and culture of medieval India, and the life of one of its most brilliant and ambitious rulers.
In addition to providing a detailed account of Rajaraja's accomplishments throughout the book, the author makes use of contemporary accounts and other historical sources to provide an accurate and engaging portrayal of Rajaraja, avoiding romanticizing or demonizing the king.
The book also includes a wealth of illustrations and photographs that help to bring the period to life. These images, ranging from temple carvings and bronze sculptures to maps and illustrations, provide a visual complement to the text and help to give readers a deeper understanding of the Chola empire and its culture.
One of the strengths of the book is the author's attention to detail. Dandapani has done a thorough research of Rajaraja's life and reign, providing insights into the political, social, and economic realities of the Chola empire. This level of detail gives the book an air of authenticity and makes the reader feel like they are transported back in time.
The author has also been able to convey the Chola society's complexities and its social and cultural dynamics with great skill.
In conclusion, Raja Raja Chola: King of Kings is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of medieval India and the life of one of its most iconic rulers. The book offers a well-researched, engaging, and nuanced portrayal of Rajaraja Chola and provides readers with an in-depth understanding of the Chola empire and its culture. The author's attention to detail, use of primary sources and the wealth of illustrations and photographs make this book invaluable for scholars, students, and general readers alike.
In case you want to purchase the book, do purchase from this link, it will help us out.
Link: https://amzn.to/3GVnMJ7
Kamini Dandapani's Raja Raja Chola: King of Kings is a compelling and well-researched biography of one of India's most iconic rulers. The book delves into the life and reign of Rajaraja Chola, one of the greatest kings of the medieval period, who expanded the Chola empire to unprecedented heights, both in terms of territorial expansion and cultural achievement.
Throughout the book, Dandapani paints a detailed portrait of Rajaraja's character, highlighting his ambition, brilliance, and ruthlessness. The author also provides an in-depth look into the cultural, social, and political milieu of the Chola empire under Rajaraja's rule. The Chola dynasty has its roots in the Sangam era, around 2,000 years ago, and by the time of Rajaraja's reign, the dynasty had already established itself as a powerful force in southern India, having defeated rivals such as the Pallavas and the Pandyas.
One of Rajaraja's most notable achievements was the construction of the Brihadeeshwara Temple, a monumental structure that stands as a testament to the engineering and architectural capabilities of the Cholas. Dandapani provides a fascinating account of the temple's construction and its significance, both in terms of its religious and cultural impact.
Additionally, the author discusses the Chola society under Rajaraja's rule, including the lives of ordinary people, the place of women, the flourishing of culture, and the spread of religion. The Chola empire was also an economic powerhouse, and Dandapani provides insights into the empire's trade and agricultural practices.
The book also chronicles the life of Rajaraja's son and successor, Rajendra, who expanded the empire even further and followed in his father's footsteps in many ways. However, the Chola dynasty's fortunes began to decline after Rajaraja's death, and the empire eventually succumbed to its rivals, the Pandyas.
Overall, Raja Raja Chola: King of Kings is a comprehensive and well-written biography that offers an in-depth look into the life and reign of one of India's most iconic kings. The author has done a fantastic job of weaving together various historical accounts, cultural and political analysis and personal anecdotes to give a well-rounded account of Rajaraja Chola. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and culture of medieval India, and the life of one of its most brilliant and ambitious rulers.
In addition to providing a detailed account of Rajaraja's accomplishments throughout the book, the author makes use of contemporary accounts and other historical sources to provide an accurate and engaging portrayal of Rajaraja, avoiding romanticizing or demonizing the king.
The book also includes a wealth of illustrations and photographs that help to bring the period to life. These images, ranging from temple carvings and bronze sculptures to maps and illustrations, provide a visual complement to the text and help to give readers a deeper understanding of the Chola empire and its culture.
One of the strengths of the book is the author's attention to detail. Dandapani has done a thorough research of Rajaraja's life and reign, providing insights into the political, social, and economic realities of the Chola empire. This level of detail gives the book an air of authenticity and makes the reader feel like they are transported back in time.
The author has also been able to convey the Chola society's complexities and its social and cultural dynamics with great skill.
In conclusion, Raja Raja Chola: King of Kings is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of medieval India and the life of one of its most iconic rulers. The book offers a well-researched, engaging, and nuanced portrayal of Rajaraja Chola and provides readers with an in-depth understanding of the Chola empire and its culture. The author's attention to detail, use of primary sources and the wealth of illustrations and photographs make this book invaluable for scholars, students, and general readers alike.
In case you want to purchase the book, do purchase from this link, it will help us out.
Link: https://amzn.to/3GVnMJ7
December 24, 2022
“Winning isn't everything--but wanting to win is”.
Bearing a sense of headstrong personality, the above quote verily reflects the very intent of Rajaraja Chola born as Arulmozhi Varman, the book at hand reflects upon the incipient stage of Chola dynasty and how it expanded further and made a historical mark. Further, being more than 392 pages long the book has been further divided into 31 Chapters in total which hints towards the in depth presentation of content which is the case here. The tone of the book is set from the Dynasty Directory which lays bare the whole of chola dynasty reign and further informative content gets presented before the actual chapters begin. Further, the first chapter is titled “Mooventar” which translates to “King with three heads” and begins further with a story about power misuse in the first paragraph by referring to an ancient manuscript. Further progression of chapters happens in a rather steady fashion as each phase of the empire and the king gets explained succinctly.
The writing style of the book has been kept simple and easy to understand for the readers and considering the historical subject matter, simplicity of presentation acts as a vital constituent of readability of a book and this gets maintained throughout and lastly makes history relevant once again. Thus, it is a must read for anyone willing to go for an insightful read and for anyone willing to turn the pages of history.
Bearing a sense of headstrong personality, the above quote verily reflects the very intent of Rajaraja Chola born as Arulmozhi Varman, the book at hand reflects upon the incipient stage of Chola dynasty and how it expanded further and made a historical mark. Further, being more than 392 pages long the book has been further divided into 31 Chapters in total which hints towards the in depth presentation of content which is the case here. The tone of the book is set from the Dynasty Directory which lays bare the whole of chola dynasty reign and further informative content gets presented before the actual chapters begin. Further, the first chapter is titled “Mooventar” which translates to “King with three heads” and begins further with a story about power misuse in the first paragraph by referring to an ancient manuscript. Further progression of chapters happens in a rather steady fashion as each phase of the empire and the king gets explained succinctly.
The writing style of the book has been kept simple and easy to understand for the readers and considering the historical subject matter, simplicity of presentation acts as a vital constituent of readability of a book and this gets maintained throughout and lastly makes history relevant once again. Thus, it is a must read for anyone willing to go for an insightful read and for anyone willing to turn the pages of history.
March 15, 2023
From the cover design to the Epilogue, Rajaraja Chola was a delight. The intense research Kamini has done for this book is evident in the detailed, thorough and immensely readable telling of one of the most influential of India's Kings.
The quote from Francis Ledwidge - "and every dead king had a story of ancient glory, sweetly told" that Kamini mentions at the start of the book, is precisely what she does in this book. The book is not only about Rajaraja Chola, but an easy telling of the entire Chola period, of which Rajaraja was inarguably the shining star.
So much is covered in the book - the beauty of Sangam literature, Akam poetry, ancient descriptions of Tamil landscapes, brutal wars, contextualising the Cholas in global history, the trade guilds, the Bhakti movement, Jaina influence, the enigmatic Sembiyan Madevi, the copper tales of the Chola bronzes, the ravaging of Sri Lanka, the internecine skirmishes with the Pandyas - all effortlessly woven together to take us through the history of the times.
Kamini's book has done its job - I learnt so much, and at the same time it piqued my curiosity to now further explore Sangam literature and the temples of the Thanjavur area.
I strongly recommend the book as a primer to ancient Tamil history - and as a bonus you will have a whole new lexicon of Tamil names in your vocabulary as well.
The quote from Francis Ledwidge - "and every dead king had a story of ancient glory, sweetly told" that Kamini mentions at the start of the book, is precisely what she does in this book. The book is not only about Rajaraja Chola, but an easy telling of the entire Chola period, of which Rajaraja was inarguably the shining star.
So much is covered in the book - the beauty of Sangam literature, Akam poetry, ancient descriptions of Tamil landscapes, brutal wars, contextualising the Cholas in global history, the trade guilds, the Bhakti movement, Jaina influence, the enigmatic Sembiyan Madevi, the copper tales of the Chola bronzes, the ravaging of Sri Lanka, the internecine skirmishes with the Pandyas - all effortlessly woven together to take us through the history of the times.
Kamini's book has done its job - I learnt so much, and at the same time it piqued my curiosity to now further explore Sangam literature and the temples of the Thanjavur area.
I strongly recommend the book as a primer to ancient Tamil history - and as a bonus you will have a whole new lexicon of Tamil names in your vocabulary as well.
December 23, 2022
The Cholas and the Chola kingdom is one of the richest that reigned for a long time and larger landscape in Southern India. The recent movie by ace filmmaker Mani Ratnam titled Ponnitan Selvan, based on Tamil writer Kalki brought some light into people's minds about the Chola family and dynasty. Soon after watching the movie, reading this book by Kamini Dandapani was surely surreal.
This biographical book showcases the story of King Raja Raja Chola wonderfully. The Chola kingdom, which is famous for its administration, political model, and great valiant life, is also considered one of the best in the aspects of retaining harmony among the citizens.
With engaging narration and interesting historical references, author Kamini's writing gives a wider insight into the Chola dynasty. The book also explains how progressive the kings and their kingdoms were, along with incredible military and indigenous political framework. History is as it a fascinating subject, and this book will definitely entice history lovers!
This biographical book showcases the story of King Raja Raja Chola wonderfully. The Chola kingdom, which is famous for its administration, political model, and great valiant life, is also considered one of the best in the aspects of retaining harmony among the citizens.
With engaging narration and interesting historical references, author Kamini's writing gives a wider insight into the Chola dynasty. The book also explains how progressive the kings and their kingdoms were, along with incredible military and indigenous political framework. History is as it a fascinating subject, and this book will definitely entice history lovers!
March 2, 2024
Kamini Dandapani explores the Chola history in a well measured and interesting manner. Her perspectives express the enriched history of the Cholas with stories and details and translated poetry.
The book is divided into four parts: the Early Cholas, the life of Rajaraja, the life of Rajendra, and the later Cholas. The book goes into details about their perception amongst the people, their conquests, the political landscape, the religious devotion of the Cholas, the women, and everything else in between.
The book takes a neutral stance and genuinely wants to tell the Chola story. It is much better than Raghavan Srinivasan; who only focuses on the wars and tries to prove Cholas as separate (Karikala and Gangaicholakonda who??). This book, on the other hand, is honest and a pleasure to read.
I would love to see much more such books on the Cholas!
Jai Cholapuram!
For more reviews, follow @cokedupsamiksha on Instagram!
The book is divided into four parts: the Early Cholas, the life of Rajaraja, the life of Rajendra, and the later Cholas. The book goes into details about their perception amongst the people, their conquests, the political landscape, the religious devotion of the Cholas, the women, and everything else in between.
The book takes a neutral stance and genuinely wants to tell the Chola story. It is much better than Raghavan Srinivasan; who only focuses on the wars and tries to prove Cholas as separate (Karikala and Gangaicholakonda who??). This book, on the other hand, is honest and a pleasure to read.
I would love to see much more such books on the Cholas!
Jai Cholapuram!
For more reviews, follow @cokedupsamiksha on Instagram!
January 22, 2023
This book was an excellent surprise. I did not expect the level of detail and the breadth of coverage, because I thought it would be only about Rajaraja. But the book covers the entire story of the Cholas and besides, has some great chapters on the bhakthi movement, the trade, the organisation, the life of women and much more. The language is fluid and made this a very pleasurable read. I would recommend this very highly.
March 22, 2023
A surprisingly gripping read for a history book. The style of writing captivated me and then the story of the Chola kings kept me interested till the end. The author has covered a great deal more than I expected. In particular I enjoyed the chapters on trade and commerce and the bhakti movement and the bronzes. The book is very well produced with excellent maps and photographs to flesh out the narrative.
January 21, 2023
Excellent book. I wish we could learn history from books like this. My family hails from Thanjavur so this was very special but I think that anybody from anywhere will enjoy this book that has so much of excellent information presented in beautiful language.
January 20, 2023
This is a fantastic book with in-depth research about not just Rajaraja Chola but the entire Chola empire and much more. It is so beautifully written and I recommend it very highly.
December 16, 2022
In this book, the author has explored the man behind the larger-than-life image of Rajaraja and the milieu in which he reigned. He was born Arulmozhi Varman in 947 and was later known as Rajaraja as he built one of the world's most glorious empires, the Chola empire. It was interesting to read about his vision and his strategic decisions. He wanted to reconquer every province that was once a part of his predecessor's domain. Not only was he successful in doing that but he also managed to extend the empire.
"Narcissistic, ambitious, power-hungry, ruthless, far-sighted, shrewd, compassionate, generous- he makes for a fascinating character study."
And I completely agree with the author on that. It was indeed fascinating to read about the different aspects of his personality! What set him apart was his excellent leadership skills. All of his military campaigns were highly successful but at the same time brutal. What truly amazed me was the farsightedness and awareness that Rajaraja had. He started a new record, known as Meykkirti, 'true fame', which was a chronological record of the King's achievements and his colorful flourishes. And it is because of these inscriptions that we are able to get an idea of the structure and administration of Chola society, and its various other aspects.
The more I read this book, the more I was able to appreciate this beautiful cover. The radiant sun on the cover is symbolic of the fact that the Cholas considered themselves descendants of the sun and rulers of the solar dynasty.
I enjoyed reading the beautiful poetry of the Tamil Sangams. It was interesting to read about the crucial & brutal battles and the strategic decisions taken by Rajaraja, keeping in mind the geopolitics of that time. It was fascinating to read about the Bhakti movement and the devotion of the Cholas toward Lord Shiva.
I found this to be a highly fascinating read!❤
"Narcissistic, ambitious, power-hungry, ruthless, far-sighted, shrewd, compassionate, generous- he makes for a fascinating character study."
And I completely agree with the author on that. It was indeed fascinating to read about the different aspects of his personality! What set him apart was his excellent leadership skills. All of his military campaigns were highly successful but at the same time brutal. What truly amazed me was the farsightedness and awareness that Rajaraja had. He started a new record, known as Meykkirti, 'true fame', which was a chronological record of the King's achievements and his colorful flourishes. And it is because of these inscriptions that we are able to get an idea of the structure and administration of Chola society, and its various other aspects.
The more I read this book, the more I was able to appreciate this beautiful cover. The radiant sun on the cover is symbolic of the fact that the Cholas considered themselves descendants of the sun and rulers of the solar dynasty.
I enjoyed reading the beautiful poetry of the Tamil Sangams. It was interesting to read about the crucial & brutal battles and the strategic decisions taken by Rajaraja, keeping in mind the geopolitics of that time. It was fascinating to read about the Bhakti movement and the devotion of the Cholas toward Lord Shiva.
I found this to be a highly fascinating read!❤
July 18, 2023
I really enjoyed this very well written book and was very happy to read detailed chapters on the Sangam literature and kings, the Bhakti movement, the Chola women, trade, and many other such topics, besides the history of the various Chola kings. A lot of research has gone into this book and it is an important addition to the Indian history genre. In spite of how much information is packed into the book, it was a very pleasurable read because of the author's style.
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