La Excellence

Project Setu

A Brief Chronology
of Ancient Indian
History
Part 2/2

ప్రాచీన భారత దేశ చరితా

 Political

Administrati
Religion
ve

History-
Aspects

Art and
Economic
Architecture

Social
Chronology
Palaeolithic
Period (2 million
BC – 10,000 BC)
❑ Important Palaeolithic sites
are Kaladgi Basin,
Bhimbetka, Hunsgi, Kurnool
Caves and Narmada Valley,
❑ Tools made up of limestone
❑ Fire was discovered
Mesolithic Period
(10,000 BC –
8,000 BC)
❑ Microliths were found at
Brahmagiri, Narmada and
Gujarat
❑ Domestication of animals
and Cattle rearing were
started in this period
❑ Significant climatic change
happened
Neolithic Period
(8000 BC – 2000
BC)
❑ Wheel discovered and
agriculture was started
in this period
❑ Inamgaon is an
early Neolithic village
❑ The major megalithic
Sites are Brahmagiri
and Adichanallur

Indus Valley
Civilization (BC
2700 – BC 1900)
❑ This was established around
3300 BC.
❑ It flourished between 2700 BC
and 1900 BC (Mature Indus
Valley Civilization).
❑ It started declining around
1900 BC and disappeared
around 1400 BC.
Iron Age (BC 1500
– BC 200)
Chalcolithic ❑ Vedic Period and Arrival of Aryans
Period (4000 BC –
❑ Basic books of Hinduism, Vedas
1,500 BC)
were composed in this period.
❑ Rise of Jainism and Buddhism
❑ It is also known as the
Copper Age and ❑ Mahajanapadas
considered part of the ❑ Magadha empire– Bimbisara of
Bronze Age. Haryanka Kula
❑ It was running parallel ❑ Sishunaga dynasty – Kalasoka
with IVC (Kakavarnin)
❑ Nanda empire – Mahapadma-
Nanda, Dhana-Nanda
❑ Persians – Greek arrival: Alexander
327 BC
322–298 BCE- Chandragupta
298–272 BCE- Bindusara
268–232 BCE – Ashoka
Succeeded by-
❑ Satavahanas (235-100BC) ❑ Chola
❑ Sunga (181-71 BC)
❑ Cheras
❑ Kanva (71-27BC)
❑ Pandyas
❑ Indo-Greeks, Parthians (180BC-45AD) Gupta Empire (300AD –
❑ Sakas (90BC-150AD) 800AD)
❑ Kushanas (78AD)
❑ This was an ancient
Sangam Age (300 BC – Indian empire
300 AD)
❑ Considered golden age
Mauryan Empire (324- of Indian Literature
187 BC)
Post Sangam age- ❑ Samudra Gupta of the
Post Mauryan Empire Gupta Empire is known
Kalabras
as Indian Napoleon
 South Indian Kingdoms
Cholas
Post-Gupta or
Contemporary Pushbhuti
Gupta Dynasty Chola Empire:
Chalukyas
Palas (9th Cent. AD -
The fall of Imperial Guptas, Vakatakas Pallavas 13th Cent. AD):
Magadha and its capital, The famous Founded by
Rastrakutas Chinese
Pataliputra Kadambas Vijayalaya, the
(775-975AD) traveller Hieun Chola empire
❑ Vardhana Dynasty
Tsang visited adopted a
❑ Mukharis The Southern India during
Kingdoms: maritime policy.
❑ Hunas Emperor Temples became
(500AD- 750AD): Harshawardha
❑ Pushyabhutis cultural and
Empire of na's reign.
❑ Gaudas Chalukyas, Pallavas social centres and
But his Dravadian
❑ Varman & Pandya kingdom
flourished. languages
❑ Maitrakas disintegrated flourished.
Zoroastrians into small
❑ Also, Rajputs, Senas and (Parsis) came to
Chauhans succeeded later. states even as
India. Hunas invaded.
Post Gupta- Gujarat and Rajasthan- Dynasties
Post Mauryan Period
In eastern India, central India and the The important regional kingdoms:
Deccan, this period saw number of native 1. Satavahanas.
rulers such as Shungas, the Kanvas and 2. Shungas
the Satavahanas. 3. The Kanvas.
In north-western India, this period 4. Indo-Greeks or Bactrians
witnessed a number of ruling dynasties 5. Sakas
from central Asia. 6. The Parthians
7. The Kushans
 Satavahas
(2BC - 3AD)
The Satavahanas also referred to as the
Andhras in the Puranas, were an ancient
Indian dynasty based in the Deccan
region.
They were feudatories under Mauryans.
Sources to study
Satavahanas-
Socio-Economic Conditions
1. Hala- Gadhasaptasati 1. Matriarchal Society 1. Introduction of land grant
2. Nasik Inscrption of 2. Caste System not well system in South India
Gautamibalasri established, Chaturvarna 2. Tech for agri production-
3. Nanaghat Inscription of System Udakayantra, Ghatikayantra
Naganika 3. Ashta Dasa Profession 3. Silver and Gold Coins
4. Strabo- Greek Historian 4. Dress and passtimes 4. Srenis
5. Amaravati Insciption of 5. Joint Family system 5. Many traders and
Dhimika 6. Cremation as a end ritual specialization in occupations
7. Social Evils – Sati
Religious Conditions Cultural Contribution

✓ Kings- Brahmanism 1. Amaravati School of Sculpture

✓ Queens- Buddhism and 2. Ajanta – Ellora Cave Painting

Jainism Tradition

✓ Puranic Traditions 3. Stupas, Chaityas- Nagarjuna

✓ Bhagavatism Konda

✓ Visiting pilgrimage 4. Sanskrit got patronage, Prakrit

Places was official language

✓ Vedic Rituals 5. Hala- Gadhasaptapadi- Navasaras

✓ Chaityakavaada 6. Gunadya- Bruhadkatha- Paisachi

Langugae
7. Music and Dance Traditions
 The Ikshvakus -
1. Feudatories of Satavahanas Cultural
Contribution –
2. Veeragal System
✓ Temple Building
3. Bramhanism and Buddhism Activity
✓ Nagarjuna,
4. Earliest Temples in Indian History
Buddhaghosa-
5. Sculptors Style of Architecture Buddhism
✓ First Sanskrit
6. Mandata Sculpture- Jaggayyapeta
Inscription in South
7. First Sanskrit Inscription India
✓ Buddhist Stupas
8. Puranic Gods- Worship of idols
✓ Temples
9. Sri Parvata University- Nagarjuna ✓ Amaravati School of
Art
konda
 Sungas
Mauryas (Magadha) Kanvas
Chedi (Kalinga)
 Sungas Kanvas Chedis
Ruled around 187 to 78 BCE. The dynasty was The Kanva dynasty was founded by After Mauryas, the Chedi
established by Pushyamitra shunga with capital at Vasudeva Kanva. Kanva dynasty had a dynasty emerged in the Kalinga
Pataliputra. ruling phase from 72 BCE to 28 BCE. region, i.e. modern Odisha

Pushyamitra shunga erected Bharhut stupa. They Sunga dynasty was the emergence of The capital city of this dynasty
revived the caste system, and the social norms various mixed castes and the was Sisupalgarh.
based on varna order got strengthened integration of foreigners into Indian
society.

Shreni-dharma, a professional code of conduct, The language of Sanskrit gained more The important ruler of this
became the basis of the social order. Guilds prominence during the rule of the dynasty was Kharavela.
played an important socio-economic and religious Shunga kings. Even some Buddhist Kharavela patronized Jainism
role works of this time were composed in and the Hatigumpha inscription
Sanskrit. gives a reference of his victories
They used Sanskrit language, and a variant of
Brahmi script as Royal language. It is argued, that
the famous Kalidasa’s play Malavikagnimitra was
composed during this period. Manu smriti, which
was compiled in the later period, composed
during this period.
Indo- Greeks
First to issue gold coins in
India and can be definitely
attributed to a king.
King Menander, earlier
Known as Milinda was
converted to Buddhism.
The questions of Milinda
to Nagasena, Buddhist
monk was recorded in
form of book known as
Milinda Panho.
Introduced Hellenistic art
features in the region,
giving rise to Gandhara art
of Buddhism
The Sakas Pratihars Kushanas
In 58 B.C, King of Ujjain They moved from They are the nomadic tribes of
defeated Sakas and he Parthia, Iran, to India. north-central Asia.
took title ‘Vikramaditya’.
An era started with 58 Like the Sakas they Kanishka is the most popular
B.C by Vikramaditya. became integral part of Kushan King. He started an era
Indian polity & society. called saka era, 78 A.D.
First ever long In the reign of Strengthened the idea of
inscription was issued in Gondophernes St. divine origin of Kingship.
Sanskrit. Earlier Thomas is said to have Introduced Satrap system.
inscriptions were issued come to India for the Military governorship
in Prakrit. propagation of
Christianity.
They emphasized on Mathura school of art-
proper irrigation to the Mahayana Buddism.
region, which was Literature: 1. Avaghosha,
manifested through the wrote Buddhacharita and
repair of Sudarshan lake, Saundarananda. 2. Avadanas,
by Rudradaman. compositions of Mahayana
Buddhism.
 Guptas
✓ After the decline of
Mauryas, it was Gupta
dynasty in Magadha
which was able to
carve a large empire.
✓ Although the empire
was smaller as
compared to the
Mauryan Empire, yet it
consisted of a greater
part of Northern India
 Sources to study Gupta Period
Inscriptions: Literature sources:
1. Allahabad inscription of Samudragupta 1. Nitisara of Kamandaka
2. Udayagiri cave inscription and Sanchi inscriptions of 2. Devichandraguptam of
Chandragupta-II Visakhadutta
3. Mehrauli Iron pillar inscription of Chandragupta-II 3. Mrichchakatika of Sudraka
4. Bilsad, Mandsor, Damodarpur copper plate
inscription of Kumaragupta.
5. Junagadh and Bhitari pillar inscription of
Skandagupta.
Polity 1. The empire was divided into divisions
✓ With the decline of Mauryan Empire, the unity and integrity called bhukth, and each bhukti was
placed under the charge of an uparika.
of India shattered. The central authority disappeared and
2. The bhuktis were divided into districts
regional principalities emerged everywhere. (vishayas), which were placed under
✓ This trend was reversed by emergence of Gupta rulers in the charge of a vishayapati.
3. In eastern India, the vishayas were
4th Century AD. They ruled over extensive empire with their
divided into vithis, which again were
capital at Pataliputra. subdivided into villages.
✓ Therefore, the Gupta age witnessed political unification of 4. The village headman gained in
importance in Gupta times, managing
India after long period of more than 500 years after the village affairs with the assistance of
decline of Mauryans. elders.
5. With the administration of a village or
✓ A number of strong and efficient rulers came to power
a small town, leading local elements
during Gupta period. For example, Chandragupta I, were associated.
Samudragupta, Chandragupta II and Skandgupta ruled over 6. No land transactions could be effected
without their consent.
extensive empires.
Art and Culture-
✓ Samudragupta and Chandragupta-II were patrons of art and
literature.
✓ Samudragupta was represented on the coins as playing veena.
✓ Mostly Guptan art is religious in nature.
✓ Two-meter-high bronze image of the Buddha, which was
recovered from sultanganj near Bhagalpur.
✓ 25-meter copper image of Buddha, as mentioned by Fa-hien,
but it is not traceable now.
✓ Beautiful images of Buddha were made at Sarnath and
Mathura.
✓ Most of the paintings in Ajanta, depict various events in the
life of Buddha, were from Guptan period.
✓ For the first time, mages of Vishnu, shiva and other Hindu
gods were found.
✓ Few temples made of brick in Uttar Pradesh- Bhitargaon in
Kanpur, Bhitari in Ghazipur; and a stone temple were found.
Buddhist university at Nalanda was set up
Economy
✓ Gupta age was full of economic prosperity. According to Chinese traveller Fa-hien Magadh,
the power centre of Gupta empire was full of cities and its rich people.
✓ In ancient India, the Guptas issued the largest number of gold coins which were called ‘dinaras’ in
their inscriptions.

Science and Technology

✓ In mathematics, a work called Aryabhatiya was written by Aryabhata in age. Aryabhatta displayed
an awareness of both the zero system and the decimal system. A Gupta inscription of 5th century
AD from Allahabad suggests that decimal system was known in India.
✓ The Gupta age craftsmen distinguished themselves by their work in iron and bronze. For
example, iron pillar found at Mehrauli in Delhi manufactured in the 4th century AD has not
gathered any rust over the subsequent fifteen centuries which is a great tribute to the
technological skill of the craftsmen.
Literature:
✓ In the court of Chandragupta-II, there were nine poets called as ‘Navaratna’. This was mentioned in
Jyotirvidabharana, a treatise attributed to Kalidasa.
✓ The court language of the Guptas was Sanskrit. Ornate style of Sanskrit is used in the writings, a
deviation from the traditional Sanskrit writing.
✓ Some scholars were: Amarsimha, Sanskrit grammarian and poet who wrote Amarkhosha. Dhanvantri,
wrote Ayurveda, Varahamira wrote Brihat Samhita, deals with architecture, temples, planets etc.
✓ Devichandraguptam of Visakhadutta, deals with King Ramagupta and his wife Dhruva devi, got
abducted by the Sakas. Then Chandragupta-II attack Sakas and get her and will marry her after killing
his brother king Ramagupta.
✓ Mrichchakatika of Sudraka, it is dated to early 5th century A.D. It deals with love relationship between
young man, charudatta and vasantasena, a rich courtesan in the Gupta period. It is an entertainment
play. Kathasaritasagra by somdev, written in 11th century, adopted from Gunadya’s Brihatkatha.
Most popular writer of this period was Kalidasa. His surviving works are three plays, two epics
and two shorter poems. They are:
1. Malavikagnimitra: It is a love affair between King Agnimitra of shunga dynasty and a servant girl
Malavika.
2. Abhijnanshakuntalam: It is a story between King Dushyant who on a hunting trip meets
Shakuntala, adopted daughter of a sage, and marries her.
3. Vikramorvasiyam: It is a story between a mortal king pururavas and celestial nymph Urvasi.
✓ This period saw the compilation of two epics Ramayana and Mahabharat.
✓ The period also witnessed scientific works: Aryabhata wrote Aryabhattiyam, which introduced
decimal system; Varahamira’s Romaka sidhanta.
✓ Brahmagupta: Precede newton in theory of gravitation. His Works: Brahmaspotaka siddanta
and Kandakadyaka
Causes of decline of Gupta
empire:
1. Hun invasion which made
north-west vulnerable.
2. System of land grants and
feudatories who declared
independence.
3. Financial crisis.
Vakataka Dynasty (250AD- 500AD)
✓ The Satavahanas in peninsular India were succeeded by
the Vakatakas (local power) who ruled the Deccan for
more than two and a half centuries.
✓ The Vakatakas were the contemporaries of the Guptas
in northern India.
✓ In the Puranas, the Vakatakas are referred to as
the Vindhyakas.
✓ Many of the Buddhist caves, Viharas and Chaityas at
Ajanta were executed under Harisena, last ruler’s reign.
Ajanta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
✓ With the death of Harisena, the rule of the Vakatakas
ended and the Nalas, the Kadambas, the Kalachuris and
Yashodharman of Malwa occupied their territory.
The Kadamba Dynasty (345 - 525 CE)

It was a dynasty of Karnataka that ruled

from Vaijayanti or Banavasi in present day
Uttara Kannada district after the demise
of Satavahanas.
The dynasty later continued to rule as a
feudatory of larger Kannada empires, the
Chalukya and the Rashtrakuta empires for
over five hundred years.
Kadambas patronized Hinduism and
Jainism.
“Kadambotsava” or “The festival of
Kadamba” feted every year by the
Karnataka Government in remembrance
of Kadamba empire.
 Chalukyas

Kalyani/ Western
Badami Chalukyas Vengi/ Eastern Chalukyas
Chalukyas
(6th – 8th AD) (7th- 12th AD)
(10th – 12th AD)
 Chalukyas Of Badami
Founder: Pulakesin first
Capital: Badami Pulakesin II:
The most important ruler of this dynasty was
Pulakesin II. The Aihole inscription issued by Ravikirti
gives the details of his reign.
Notable achievement of Pulakesin II was the defeat
of Harshavardhana on the banks of the river
Narmada and took title of Parameswara.
He sent ambassador to court of Persian King
Khusrau.
He was defeated and killed by Narasimha Varman I
of Pallavas.
Art and Architecture:
They developed the vesara style in the building of structural temples which reached its
culmination only under the Rastrakutas and the Hoysalas.
No cement or mortar was used stones were aligned together to form edifice.
• Two stage in temple construction Aihole group
• Meguti temple
• Vishnu temple
• Ladh khan temple
• Durga temple Pattadakal group
• Papanath temple
• Virupaksha temple
• Sangamesvara temple
 Pallava of Kanchi (6AD- 9AD)
✓ Pallavas were the natives of Tondaimandalam. They
are also identical with the Pulindas mentioned in the
inscriptions of Asoka.
✓ Mahendravarman I (600 – 630 A.D.)
✓ Mahendravarman I was a follower of Jainism in the
early part of his career.
✓ He was converted to Saivism by the influence of the
Saiva saint, Thirunavukkarasar alias Appar.
✓ He assumed a number of titles like Gunabhara,
Satyasandha, Chettakari (builder of temples)
Chitrakarapuli, Vichitrachitta and Mattavilasa.
Administration:
✓ The Pallavas had a well-organized administrative system. The Pallava state was divided
into Kottams. The Kottam was administered by officers appointed by the king.
✓ Number of irrigation tanks were dug by the Pallava kings. The irrigation tanks at
Mahendravadi and Mamandoor were dug during the reign of Mahendravarman I.
✓ Land tax was the primary source of the government revenue. The Brahmadeya and
Devadhana lands were exempted from tax.
✓ The Pallava inscriptions throw much light on the village assemblies called sabhas and
their committees. They maintained records of all village lands, looked after local
affairs and managed temples.
Literature:
✓ Mahendravarman I composed the Sanskrit play
Mattavilasaprahasanam.
✓ The Devaram composed by Nayannars and the
Nalayradivyaprabandam composed by Alwars
represent the religious literature of the Pallava
period.
✓ Perundevanar was patronized by Nandivarman
II and he translated the Mahabharata as
Bharathavenba in Tamil.
✓ Dandin wrote Dasakumarcharita on birth of
Kartikeya.
✓ Bharavi wrote Kiratarjuniyyam.
Fine Arts:
✓ Music, dance and painting had also developed under
the patronage of the Pallavas.
✓ The Mamandur inscription contains a note on the
notation of vocal music.
✓ The Kudumianmalai inscription referred to musical
notes and instruments.
✓ The Alwars and Nayannars composed their hymns in
various musical notes.
✓ The Sittannavasal paintings belonged to this period.
✓ The commentary called Dakshinchitra was compiled
during the reign of Mahendravarman I, who had the
title Chitrakarapuli.
 Pallava Art and Culture
It was a great age of temple building.
The Pallavas introduced the art of excavating temples from
the rock. Temple architecture developed in 4 stages
Mahendravarman Group Bhairavakonda temple,
under Mahendravarman I Ananteswara temple at
Undavalli
Mamalla group under Seven pagodas and rathas at
Narasimhavarman I Mahabalipuram

Rajasimha group under Shore temple, kailasanath

Narasimhavarman II and vaikuntaperumal at
Kanchi
Aparajit group under Mukteshwar and
Nandivarman Matangeswar temple at
Kanchi, Parshurameswar at
Gudimallam.
 Rashtrakutas-
The Northern Kingdoms:
(750 AD - 1206 AD):
The Rashtrakutas became
powerful, Pratiharas ruled in
Avanti and Palas ruled
Bengal. The period also saw
emergence of Rajput clans.
Amoghavarsha I (814- 878 A.D.)
✓ The greatest king of the Rashtrakuta dynasty was Amoghavarsha I son of Govinda III.
✓ Amoghavarsha I set up a new capital at Manyakheta (now Malkhed in Karnataka State) and Broach became
the best port of the kingdom during his reign
✓ Amoghavarsha was converted into Jainism by Jinasena, a Jaina monk.
✓ Suleman, an Arab merchant, in his account called Amoghavarsha I as one of the four greatest kings of the
world, the other three being the Caliph of Bagdad, the king of Constantinople and the emperor of China.
Art and Culture-
✓ The art and architecture of the Rashtrakutas can be found at Ellora and Elephanta.
✓ The most remarkable temple Kailasanatha temple at Ellora was built by Krishna.
✓ Kavirajamarga composed by Amogavarsha’s was the first poetic work in the Kannada language.
✓ Pampa was the greatest of the Kannada poets and Vikramasenavijaya is his famous work.
✓ Santipurana was another great work wrote by Ponna another famous Kannada poet.
 Palas of Bengal
Gopala founded the dynasty in 750 AD.
He was a chieftain or military general who was elected as king by notable men of the area to prevent
anarchy.
The Pala period is also known as a ‘Golden Era’ in Bengali history.
They built magnificent monasteries and temples: Somapura Mahavihara (in Bangladesh), Odantapuri
Monastery.
They also patronised Buddhist centres of learning like Nalanda University and the Vikramshila
University.
During this time, the Bengali language developed. The first Bengali literary work Charyapada is
attributed to this period. It was written in an Abahatta (the common ancestor of Bengali, Assamese,
Odia and Maithili.
Sanskrit scholars were also patronised by the Pala kings. Gaudapada composed Agama Shastra during
the time of the Palas.
The Pala art (art seen in Bengal and Bihar during the Pala regime) influence is seen in the art of
Nepal, Sri Lanka, Burma and Java.
 Pushyabhuti Dynasty
Kanauj Assembly:
Founder: Narvardhana Harsha organized a
Capital city: Thaneswar and Kanauj Harsha Vardhana (606 AD- 647 AD)
religious assembly at
✓ Greatest ruler also called Siladitya and started Harsha Era in 606 AD.
Kanauj to honour the
✓ Defeated Gauda Sasanka (desecrated bodi tree) who had killed his brother in
Chinese pilgrim Hiuen
law Grihavarma.
Tsang. To propagate
✓ He was defeated by Pulikeshi second of Chalukyas in battle of Narmada.
✓ He was converted to Mahayana Buddhism by Hieun Tsang, who wrote Si-yu-Ki
doctrines of Mahayana

(Experience of traveller). Buddhism.

✓ He also conducted Dharmayatras like Ashoka. Participations of people
✓ He himself scholar wrote Naganandam, Ratnavali and Priyadarsika. from many religions in
✓ Banabhatta his court poet wrote Harshacharita, Parvati Parinayam and Assembly.
Kadambari.
Western Chalukyas
✓ Ruled from Kalyani (973- 1200A.D)
✓ Followed the traditions of Rasthrakutas and vatapi
Chalukyas.
✓ Ruled Karnataka region and surrounding areas
✓ He built the city of Kalyan.
✓ Bilhana’s Vikramankadevacharita deals with
Somesvara I.
✓ Last ruler Tailapa III was defeated by Kalachuris. Their
temple architecture known as “Karanatadravida”.
✓ It is an extension of Badami chalukyan style.
✓ Temples of Ittagi were the finest examples of Art and
architecture.
✓ Ornamentation on the outer walls of the shrine and
presence of figure sculptures of heroes and loving
couples (Mithuna) were unique features of Kalyani
Chalukyas.
 Solankis
1. The Solankis were also one of the Agnikula
clans of the Rajputs, however, it is believed
that they descend from the Badami Chalukyas.
2. The Capital of Solankis was Anhilwara which is
now Sidhpur Patan.
3. The Solankis were patrons of the Somnath
Temple.
4. The dynasty was established by one chief
named Mularaja who reigned from 942 to 996
AD.
5. The Solanki dynasty lost control over Gujarat in
1243 and in 1297; Gujarat was conquered by
the Delhi Sultanate.
 Vengi Chalukyas
Eastern Chalukyas, also known as the Chalukyas of Vengi,
were a dynasty that ruled parts of South India between the
7th and 12th centuries.
They started out as governors of the Chalukyas of
Badami in the Deccan region.
Subsequently, they became a sovereign power, and ruled
the Vengi region of present-day Andhra
Pradesh until c. 1130 CE.
They continued ruling the region as feudatories of
the Cholas until 1189 CE.
Contributed majorly to the Telegu literature.
Raja Raja Narendra- Famous ruler.
Kavitrayam – Telugu Literature
Chola Empire
Cholas
Empire was founded by Vijayalaya, feudatory of Pallavas.
He captured Tanjore in 850 A.D. RajadhiRaja I (1044- 1052 A.D)
He earned the title “Jayamkonda
Rajaraja I (985-1014 A.D)
✓ Formative period of “chola imperialism” chola”.
✓ He destroyed the chera navy at Trivandrum.
✓ He conquered Maldives Islands. He captured Kalyani, western
✓ Bought South- East Asia under his control. chalukyan capital and took the
Rajendra I (1014-1044 A.D)
✓ He followed annexation policy of his father. title “Kalyanpuramkonda”.
✓ He defeated pala ruler Mahipala in 1022 A.D and
assumed title “Gangaikonda chola”
✓ Build a city near the mouth of Kaveri-
“Gangaikondachola”.
✓ He sent two diplomatic missions to China for political
as well as commercial purposes.
Cholas were known for village administration:
(Uttrameruru inscriptions of Paranthaka provides for this)
1. Two assemblies -Ur, Sabha or Mahasabha.
2. Ur was a general assembly of the village.
3. Mahasabha was a gathering of adult men in Brahmana
villages. (agraharas)
4. Election system was present.
Society-
✓ It was organised based on Varnasrama model.
✓ Sub castes were proliferated – Kaikalla, Chetti, Cheek etc.
✓ Division of sub castes into Valangai and Idangai.
✓ Devadasi system was prevalent in the society.

Art and Culture
✓ Build great capitals -Tanjore,
Gangaikondacholapuram, Kanchi etc.
✓ Large households and large palaces.
✓ Introduced Dravidian temple architecture.
Angkor Wat, temple complex at Angkor, near
Siĕmréab, Cambodia, that was built in the 12th
century by King Suryavarman II (reigned 1113–c.
1150). The vast religious complex of Angkor
Wat comprises more than a thousand buildings,
and it is one of the great cultural wonders of the
world.
Dravidian temple architecture:
1. Garbhagriha – multiple storeys on chief-deity
room.
2. These storeys varied from 5 to 7 and known as
Vimana.
3. Mandapa with pillared hall.
4. Pillars are elaborately curved.
5. Courtyards surrounding the structure.
6. Gopurams- lofty gateways
Examples:
Kailasanath temple (Kanchi),
Brihadeshwara temple (Tanjore),
Gangaikondacholapuram temple
Investment on education pays best interest