2017-06-17 Sat

Chola is the one of the longest ruling dynasty in South India. Vijayalaya is acknowledged as the real founder of the Chola Empire in 850 AD.

Rajaraja I and Rajendra Chola were two great rulers of the Chola dynasty.

Rajaraja conquered Madurai and captured the ruler of the Pandyas. He invaded Sri Lanka’s northern region and made it a province of the Cholas by sacking Anuradhapuram. He also conquered the Maldive islands. He destroyed the Chera Kingdom’s strongest naval power and emerged strongly. In 991 AD he conquered the Ganga’s Nolambavadi, Tadigaivadi and Gangavadi political divisions and until the next century, these divisions remained under the Cholas.

Rajendra I was the son and successor of Raja Raja Chola. The title Gangai Kondachola was assumed by him. He is accredited for getting a number of South East Asian lands Indianised. The whole of Ceylon, which is now Sri Lanka was conquered by him. Gangai Kondacholapuram was the new capital founded by him. In a naval campaign, the Kings of Sumatra was defeated by him and he annexed a part of the Sumatra Kingdom.

The era of Rajendra I was known as the Golden period in South India. There were marvellous changes during his reign. It can be seen in the field of art, architecture, religion, social, economic, etc. Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram are known for the Chola architecture.

There was a complete progress in all the fields but then what about their coinage?
They issued some gold, silver and copper coins. According to P.L.Gupta, Uttama Chola was the first Chola ruler who issued gold and silver coins with his name Uttama Chola in Nagari. There were also other rulers who issued coins. This is just a glimpse at their coinage.

Are you curious to know more about the Chola coinage?
Well… your waiting ends here. Mintage World will soon be up with the Chola coinage. Till then stay excited and keep in touch with our website. Happy Collecting!