Question

Who founded the city of Thanjavur in the middle of the ninth century?
1. Muttairyer
2. Raja Raj Chola I
3. Vijayalaya
4. Rajendra I

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Vijayalaya

The correct answer is Vijayalaya.

• Vijayalaya, one of the Cholas from Uraiyur, captured the Kaveri delta which was under the control of the Muttaraiyar (subordinate to the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram), in the middle of the 9th century.
• He built the town of Thanjavur and a temple for goddess Nishumbhasudeni there.
• Thanjavur is the 7th biggest city in Tamil Nadu.
• Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, are located in and around Thanjavur.
• The foremost among these, the Brihadeeswara Temple, is located in the center of the city.
• Thanjavur is also home to Tanjore painting, a painting style unique to the region.

• Rajaraja I (985 – 1014 A.D.)
  • Rajaraja I is the most celebrated of the Chola kings.
    • He engaged in naval expeditions and emerged victorious on the West Coast, Sri Lanka, and conquered the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
  • He defeated Cheras in the battle of Kandanur salai.
  • He was also successful in the expedition of western and Eastern Chalukyas.
    • He installed Shaktiverma on Vengi Throne.
  • He completed the construction of the famous Rajarajeswara temple or Brihadeeswara temple at Tanjore in 1010 A.D.
  • His titles: Mummidi Chola, Jayankonda and Sivapadasekara.
  • He abdicated his throne for his son Rajendra Chola 1.
• Rajendra I (1012-1044 A.D.)
  • Rajendra I conducted the most striking military exploit after his accession in 1023 by his expedition to northern India.
  • He defeated Mahipala 1 of Bengal.
  • To commemorate this successful north-Indian campaign Rajendra founded the city of Gangaikondacholapuram and constructed the famous Rajesvaram temple in that city.
  • Another famous venture of Rajendra was his naval expedition to Kadaram or Sri Vijaya(Indonesia).
    • He got the title Kadaramgonda.
    • He called Bay of Bengal Cholamandalam.
  • He annexed total Cylon(Sri Lanka).
  • He established many educational institutes in his empire, for this he got the title Pandita Chola.
  • After the death of Rajendra 1, his three successors were also killed in a short time.
• Kulathunga Chola 1, grandson of Rajendra Chola preserved the legacy of Imperial Cholas.
  • He abolished many taxes and got the title sungam tavirtta.
  • He sent trade embassies to China
  • He united the Vengi kingdom with the Chola Empire.
  • He was contemporary to Ramanujacharya.
• Rajendra III was the last Chola king who was defeated by Jatavarman Sundarapandya II
  • On the ruins of the Chola empire, Pandya and Hoysala kingdom came into existence.