Question

Who founded the Chola dynasty?
1. Vijayalaya
2. Aditya I
3. Parantaka I
4. Rajraj I

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Vijayalaya

The correct answer is Vijayalaya.

• The Chola Empire was founded by Vijayalaya.
• He took over the Tanjore kingdom in the 8th century and led to the rise of the mighty Cholas by defeating the Pallavas.
• Tanjore was hence made the first capital of the eminent Chola Empire.
• Aditya, I succeeded Vijayalaya to become the ruler of the empire.

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• Aditya I (871-907 AD)
  •  Extended the work of Vijayalaya by occupying the territories from the Pallavas.
• Parantaka Chola I (907-955 AD)
  • He was the first imperial Chola.
  • He defeated the Pandyans and Shrilankans initially but was later defeated by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna III.
  • This loss undermined the glory of the Cholas and they entered a dark phase of thirty years from 955 AD – 985 AD.
• Raja Raja Chola I (907-1014 AD)
  • Raja Raja, I developed the naval strength of the Cholas
  • He re-organized the administrative system
  • In 1000 AD he began the conduction of a land survey.
  • He adopted the practice of inscribing the historical inscriptions
  • He began the practice of associating Yuvaraja or crown Prince with the administration.
  • Raja Raja I being a patron of Shaivism constructed the great Raja Rajeshwar temple (also called the Brihadeeswarar temple) at Tanjore.