Contents
Rajaraja I
Expanding the Chola Empire and commissioning Thanjavur’s great Brihadisvara Temple.
Land survey · Brihadisvara Temple
- Born
- c. 947
- Birthplace
- Chola country, present-day India
- Died
- 1014
More people
Rajaraja I
South Indian ruler whose reign combined military expansion with ambitious temple building and administrative reform.
Early life
Royal family
Was a son of Sundara Chola and Vanavan Mahadevi, originally named Arulmozhi Varman.
Succession
Came to power after a period of disputed succession within the Chola dynasty.
Career
- 985
Accession
Became Chola ruler after Uttama Chola.
- 990s–1000s
Expansion
Extended Chola rule through campaigns in southern India and northern Sri Lanka.
- 1010–1014
Late reign
Completed his monumental temple and prepared the succession of his son Rajendra.
Legacy
Land survey
Initiated a major survey supporting revenue assessment and administration.
Brihadisvara Temple
Commissioned the monumental Shiva temple at Thanjavur.
Temple inscriptions
Left detailed records of gifts, personnel and resources associated with royal temples.
Beyond work
Religious patronage
Devoted major resources to Shaivism while also supporting other religious institutions.
Family patronage
His sister Kundavai was an influential royal donor and patron.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Photo: Venu62; photograph of a sculpture identified as Rajaraja I. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
