What does the map showing the extent of the Chola Empire represent?

Map showing the greatest extent of the Chola empire c. 1030 under Rajendra Chola I, shaded in blue represent conquered territories, shaded in pink shows areas influenced by Chola. The Chola dynasty was a Tamil thalassocratic empire of southern India, one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the world’s history.

When did the historic period of Tamil Nadu begin?

The historic period of Tamil Nadu began from the Sangam age. Sangam age is the period during which the poets of the third Sangam joined together and did research on Tamil. This period lasted for 400 years from B.T. 200 to A.T 200.

Did the Cholas lose the territory around Uraiyur as Vijayalaya?

Numerous Pallava inscriptions of this period mention their having fought rulers of the Chola country. Despite this loss in influence and power, it is unlikely that the Cholas lost total grip of the territory around Uraiyur, their old capital, as Vijayalaya, when he rose to prominence hailed from that area.

What was the relationship between Pandya kings and other kingdoms of Tamilakam?

With the other kingdoms of Tamilakam, they maintained trading contacts and marital relationships with Tamil merchants from Eelam. Various Pandya kings find mention in a number of poems in the Sangam literature.

Who was the founder of the imperial Chola dynasty?

Vijayalaya was the founder of the Imperial Chola dynasty which was the beginning of one of the most splendid empires in Indian history.

Why did Rajendra Chola not invade the heart of India?

There might have been several reasons for that made Rajendra Chola not to invade the heart of India (i.e. the main Indo-Gangetic Plain between Thar desert and Chota Nagpur Plateau). We can categorize those factors into geographical and political reasons.

Why did Rajendra Chola build a new capital called Gangaikonda Cholapuram?

Rajendra Chola I built a new capital called Gangaikonda Cholapuram to celebrate his victories in northern India. Rajendra Chola I successfully invaded the Srivijaya kingdom in Southeast Asia which led to the decline of the empire there.