Rājendra I Chola (1014-1044) formally became co-ruler with his father Rājrāj I in 1012 and gained experience in administration. When he became sole ruler, Rājendra I undertook extensive military campaigns, including against the Pandyas, Cholas, and an expedition along the Ganges river. He established a new capital called Gangaikondacholapuram and built the magnificent Brihadeshvara temple there. Rājendra I promoted education and left behind an extensive empire upon

1. Rājendra I Chola
(Parākesari)
Dr. Rajiv Kumar Jaiswal
Assistant Professor
Dept. of AIHC & Archaeology
Vasanta College for Women
KFI, Rajghat, Varanasi

2. Rājendra I (Parākesari) (1014-1044)
 In the closing year of his reign Rājrāj I associated his son Rājendra with
himself in the official administration. This formal recognition of Rājendra as
heir apparent took place some time between the 1012 AD, Rājendra must
have been at least 25 year’s of age at the time.
 and we find clear evidence of joint rule in the third year of Rājendra. This
year is mentioned in Rājrāj’s tanjore ins. Of his twenty-ninth year. Rājrāj also
stated to have made a gift in the third year of his son’s rule.
Title : Parākesari Varman, Rājendra Chola deva,
 Rājendra inherited from his father an extensive empire comprising the whole
of the Tamilnādu, karnātaka, Andhra Pradesh, Sri Lankā and Māldives.
Organised administration, fairly powerful bureaucracy,
 Respected the liberties of “Feudal” and “Corporate”

4. Cont…..
• The army was strong (well able to defend the wide land frontier) and the
chola apply the war policy - aggressive warfare.
• The hold on Ceylon and some other island like the Māldives was securely
maintained by a powerful Naval force. Which also served to protect the
considerable overseas trade of the empire with the island of East Indies
(South East Asia)and with China.
• During his reign, Rājendra turned these initial advantages to the best possible
use and succeeded in raising the Chola empire to the position of the most
extensive and most respected Hindu state of his time.
• The history of Rājendra reign is very largely the history of the extensive wars
and conquests, he undertook in the first half of his reign.
• Main Source : Tiruvalangādu copper plate ins.(military & Naval expedition of
his reign) and Mahāvansha, Karandai ins. Coins.

5. Cont……
• Rājādhirāj Yuvarāja : very early in Rājendra reign, he appointed his son
Rājādhirāj as Yuvaraj Rājādhirāja (heir apprent) to assist him in the work of
the state, this happen on some 1018 AD. For over 25 year’s from that date,
father and son, Parākesari and Rājkesari ruled together and shared the
burden of empire.
• Political Achievements :
 Early Conquest : as you people know that, Rājendra I, actively participated
in the several military expedition during the reign off his father Rājrāj I.
 Military Expedition after accession of throne:
 War with Ceylon
 War with kerala
 War with Pāndya

6. Cont…..
 Inteference in Vengi
 The Chola-Chālukya (western chālukya) Conflict
 War with Kalinga
 Ganges expedition
 South-East Asia expedition (Kadāram expedition)
 Rebels of Pāndya and Kerala
 Note : write in detailed about Rājendra I military Achievements.
(By student’s )

7. Route of Ganges Expedition

9. Cont…..
• Rājendra issued coins in Gold and Silver, some of which bear his title
Gangaikonda Chola and Yuddhamalla.
• He built a city called Gangaikondacholapuram and made it his capital. He
had also built a temple named “Brihadeshvara temple” at Gangaikonda.
• The Chola had friendly relations with China as attested by the dispatch of
mission to china by Rājrāj I in 1015 AD and Rājendra in 1033 AD
• Rājendra Chola promoted learning and scholarship. An inscription from
South Arcot tells us about his establishing a school for Vedic teaching for the
maintenance of which he had allotted land measuring 45 Veli. It had a staff
of 14 teacher’s and had 340 students on its rolls. The teachers were paid
their salary in cash in addition to a daily supply of rice to each one of them.
• Rājendra ruled upto 1044 AD.

10. Brihasdesvar temple at
Gangaikondacholapuram

12. Thank You