The Chola dynasty is a Tamil dynasty that is one of the longest-ruling dynasties in southern India.
The earliest datable references to this Tamil dynasty are in inscriptions from the 3rd century BCE left by Asoka, of the Maurya Empire; the dynasty continues to govern over varying territory until the 13th century CE.The heartland of the Cholas is the fertile valley of the Kaveri River, but they rule a significantly larger area at the height of their power from the later half of the 9th century until the beginning of the 13th century.
The whole country south of the Tungabhadra is united and held as one state for a period of two centuries and more.
Under Rajaraja Chola I and his son Rajendra Chola I, the dynasty becomes a military, economic and cultural power in South Asia and Southeast Asia.
The power of the new empire is proclaimed to the eastern world by the celebrated expedition to the Ganges which Rajendra Chola I undertakes and by the overthrow, after an unprecedented naval war, of the maritime empire of Srivijaya, as well as by the repeated embassies to China.
During the period 1010–1200, the Chola territories stretch from the islands of the Maldives in the south to as far north as the banks of the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh.
Rajaraja Chola conquers peninsular South India, annexes parts of what is now Sri Lanka and occupies the islands of the Maldives.
Rajendra Chola sends a victorious expedition to North India that touches the river Ganges and defeats the Pala ruler of Pataliputra, Mahipala.
He also successfully invades the kingdoms of the Malay Archipelago.
The Chola dynasty goes into decline at the beginning of the 13th century with the rise of the Pandyas, who ultimately caused their downfall.
The Cholas leave a lasting legacy.
Their patronage of Tamil literature and their zeal in building temples results in some great works of Tamil literature and architecture.
The Chola kings are avid builders and envision the temples in their kingdoms not only as places of worship but also as centers of economic activity.
They pioneer a centralized form of government and established a disciplined bureaucracy.
