The Great Pagoda, Tanjore - British Library P959

The Chola dynasty was a Tamil dynasty that ruled parts of southern India from the 9th to the 13th century AD. The dynasty was one of the longest ruling dynasties in Indian history and is known for its achievements in art, architecture, literature and maritime trade. The Chola dynasty was founded by Vijayalaya Chola in the 9th century and reached its peak under the reign of Rajendra Chola I in the 11th century. The Cholas were known for their military conquests and patronage of the arts, particularly temple architecture and sculpture. During their reign, the Cholas built a vast empire that included parts of present-day Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Sri Lanka. They also had extensive trade relations with Southeast Asia and China, and their navy was one of the most powerful in the world at the time. Some of the notable achievements of the Cholas include the construction of the Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur, considered a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, and the compilation of the Tamil literary work, the Thirukkural. The Chola dynasty declined in the 13th century due to internal conflicts and invasions by other kingdoms. However, their legacy continues to influence Tamil culture and history to this day.