38 Facts About Rajaraja I

Rajaraja I, known as Rajaraja the Great, was a Chola emperor who reigned from 985 CE to 1014 CE.

Rajaraja I was known for his conquests of southern India and parts of Sri Lanka, as well as increasing Chola influence across the Indian Ocean.

Rajaraja I extended his influence over strategic islands such as Lakshadweep, Thiladhunmadulu atoll, and parts of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.

Rajaraja I left a significant mark through his architectural and cultural achievements.

Rajaraja I commissioned the construction of the Rajarajeshwaram Temple in the Chola capital of Thanjavur, revered as one of the most prominent examples of the medieval South Indian architectural style.

Rajaraja I initiated a project of land survey and assessment in 1000 CE which led to the reorganisation of Tamil country into individual units known as valanadus.

Rajaraja I was the son of Chola King Parantaka II, known as Sundara Chola, and Queen Vanavan Mahadevi.

Rajaraja I had an elder brother, Aditha II, and an elder sister, Kundavai.

Rajaraja I's accession marked the end of a period of competing claims to the Chola throne, following his great-grandfather Parantaka I's reign.

When Rajaraja I came into power, he inherited a kingdom that was only centered around the Thanjavur-Tiruchirappalli region, which was the heart of traditional Chola territory.

Rajaraja I changed this by transforming the kingdom into a well-organized empire with a powerful army and navy.

Rajaraja I is acclaimed as "Kandalur salai Kalam-arutta," which translates to 'the one who destroyed Kandalur Salai.

Rajaraja I is hailed as "Kandalur salai Kalam-arutta," meaning 'the one who destroyed Kandalur Salai.

The Thiruvalangadu inscription suggests that Rajaraja I's general captured Vizhinjam, which could have been part of the Kandalur Salai campaign.

Rajaraja I's inscriptions begin to appear in Kanyakumari district in the 990s and in Thiruvananthapuram district in the early 1000s.

Rajaraja I is said to have participated in the ritual of kanakabhisheka, where gold is poured over the Chola king, symbolizing an act of royal anointment or coronation.

Once Rajaraja I had consolidated his authority in the southern regions, he took on the title of Mummudi Chola.

In 993 CE, Rajaraja I achieved the conquest of Anuradhapura, known as Pihiti rata in local context, situated in Sri Lanka.

In 998 CE, Rajaraja I annexed Gangapadi, Nolambapadi, and Tadigaipadi.

Rajaraja I accuses Rajendra Chola of leading a massive force of 955,000 soldiers and causing havoc in Donuwara, blurring the ethical boundaries of warfare prescribed by the Dharmasastras.

Rajaraja I established control over the western part of Gangavadi, ruled by the Changalvas, and over Kodagu, governed by the Kongalvas, who were then made vassals of the Chola Empire.

However, Rajaraja I emerged victorious in battle against Bhima, and Saktivarman was appointed as a viceroy under the Chola Dynasty.

Notably, Rajaraja I cemented an alliance between the Chola Dynasty and the Eastern Chalukya kingdom by arranging the marriage of his daughter, Kundavai, to the next viceroy of Vengi, Vimaladitya.

Additionally, a similar inscription in Channapatna describes Rajaraja I defeating the Hoysalas.

One of the last conquests of Rajaraja I was the naval conquest of the islands of Maldives.

The success of Rajaraja I allowed his son Rajendra Chola to lead the Chola invasion of Srivijaya, carrying out naval raids in South-East Asia and briefly occupying Kadaram.

Rajaraja I married several women, including the following: Vanathi aka Thiripuvana Madeviyar, Dantisakti Vitanki aka Lokamadevi, Panchavan Madeviyar, Chola Mahadevi, Trailokya Mahadevi, Lata Mahadevi, Prithvi Mahadevi, Meenavan Mahadevi, Viranarayani and Villavan Mahadevi.

Rajaraja I had at least three daughters and two sons.

Rajaraja I had his first daughter Kundavai with Lokamadev who eventually married Chalukya prince Vimaladithan.

Rajaraja I strengthened the local self-governments and installed a system of audit and control by which the village assemblies and other public bodies were held to account while retaining their autonomy.

Rajaraja I served as the supreme commander of the northern and northwestern territories.

Rajaraja I was a follower of Shaivism denomination of Hinduism but he dedicated several temples to Vishnu.

The monastery was built by the Sailendra king of Srivijaya, Sri Mara Vijayattungavarman, with the support of Rajaraja I According to the small Leyden grant, this Vihara was known as Rajaraja-perumpalli during the reign of Kulottunga I Rajaraja dedicated the proceeds of the revenue from the village of Anaimangalam towards the upkeep of this Vihara.

Rajaraja I called himself Shivapada Shekhara, literally, "the one who places his crown at the feet of Shiva".

Rajaraja I embarked on a mission to recover the hymns after hearing short excerpts of Thevaram in his court.

Rajaraja I thus became known as Tirumurai Kanda Cholan meaning one who saved the Tirumurai.

Rajaraja I included Manickavasagar's Tirukovayar and Tiruvacakam as the 8th book, and the hymns of nine other saints as the 9th book.

Rajaraja I recorded all the grants made to the Thanjavur temple and his achievements.