Gangaikondacholapuram
Topic: Southern Dynasties: Chalukyas, Pallavas, Cholas · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 4 "Turning Tides: The 11th and 12th Centuries"; Class 12, Ch 2 "Bhakti-Sufi Traditions"
Meaning
Gangaikondacholapuram was the new capital built by the Chola king Rajendra Chola I in the 11th century. Its name means "the city of the Chola who seized (brought) the Ganga". It celebrated his army's march north through Odisha to Bengal and the Ganga. The great Shiva temple in the city honours these northern victories. It shows how Chola kings used capitals and temples to display their power.
Example
After his northern campaign (c. 1025), Rajendra I took the title 'Gangaikondachola' and moved his court from Thanjavur to Gangaikondacholapuram (in present-day Tamil Nadu). Its temple stands with the Brihadishvara temple at Thanjavur and the temple at Chidambaram among the great Chola Shiva temples.
Don't confuse with
- Thanjavur (Tanjavur): the older Chola capital, set up by Vijayalaya in the 9th century. Its Brihadishvara temple was built by Rajaraja, not Rajendra.
- Gangaikondachola: the title Rajendra took. Gangaikondacholapuram is the city named after that title.
Related concepts
- Rajaraja Chola I
- Brihadishvara temple
- Larger Leiden plates
- Chudamani Vihara
- Rajendra Chola I
- Shrivijaya
- Chola naval expedition to Shrivijaya
- Kulottunga I