4092) Naval Expedition of Emperor Rajendra Chola – I: A Rs.1000/- Silver 99.99% Commemorative Coin issued by the India Government Mint, Mumbai: Date of Coin issue: 26.08.2025:
Links to Posts on the Cholas:
1) Commemorative Stamps on "Indian Ocean & Rajenda Chola I"
2) Celebrating 1000 years of Brihadeeshwarar Temple
The Indian Ocean:
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the World’s Oceanic divisions, having about 20 per cent of the water on the Earth’s surface. It has Asia on the North, Africa on the West, Australia on the East and Antarctica on the South.
The span of the Ocean is about 6200 miles or 10000 km from the Southern tip of Africa to the Western coast of Australia. In the Southwest it joins the Atlantic Ocean and to the East it joins the Pacific Ocean.
Being the warmest Ocean in the World, the Indian Ocean caters to about 50 per cent of the World’s Container traffic and the ports of Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) Region handle about 30 per cent of global trade.
Around 66 per cent of the World’s sea-borne trade in oil transits the Indian Ocean. Approximately 55 per cent of the known Oil Reserves and around 40 per cent of Gas reserves are located in the Indian Ocean Region.
The Indian Ocean played a vital role for
centuries in the history of Maritime Trade as a designated Spice Route, Cotton
Trade Route, and Perfume Route etc.
The Indian Ocean has a vital role to play in the global economy and is considered to be a “Ratanakar” or a “Mine of Gems” (as mentioned in the old treaties), so profitable were the Trade Links/Routes of the Indian Ocean.
This vast Ocean connecting and separating Nations has played an important role in shaping the cultures and ideologies of many countries through movement of goods, people, ideas and religion through Trade, Naval power, travel and scientific exploration across the Sea.
The World’s earliest civilisations in Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt and the Indian sub-continent developed around the Indian Ocean.
During the First and Second Centuries AD, intensive trade relations developed between Roman, Egyptian and the Tamil Kingdoms in Southern India.
In 1497, the Portuguese Navigator Vasco Da Gama became the first European to sail to India.
Thereafter European Ships/Merchants/Enterprises dominated Trade with India which multiplied manifold with the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.
In 1971, the UN General Assembly declared the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace through its Resolution Number 2832.
The Chola Kingdom and the Chola Kings:
Historically, the reign of the Chola Dynasty is divided into several sub-periods – the Early Cholas (seven known Rulers from an obscure date to about 200 AD), the Interregnum period Cholas (the names & numbers of Rulers is lost in obscurity from 200 AD to about 848 AD), the Medieval Cholas or the Vijayalaya Cholas (13 known Rulers from 848 AD to about 1070 AD, including Rajaraja Chola I from 985 AD to 1014 AD and his son Rajendra Chola I from 1012-1044 AD) and the Later Cholas or the Chalukya Cholas (8 known Rulers from 1070 AD to about 1279 AD).
The Cholas were at the height of their power from the later half of the 9th Century to the 13th Century.
Under Rajaraja Chola I and his son Rajendra Chola, the Dynasty became a military, economic and cultural power in Asia.
The Chola Empire – at its zenith:
During the period 1010 AD (Rajaraja Chola’s reign) to 1200 AD (reigns of Rajendra Chola through to 11 Rulers culminating with Kulothunga Chola III’s reign in 1218 AD) the Chola Empire stretched from the islands of Maldives in the South, to as far North as the banks of the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh.
While Rajaraja Chola I conquered peninsular South India, annexed parts of Sri Lanka and occupied the islands of the Maldives, his son Rajendra Chola I, sent conquering Armies to North India that reached the River Ganges and defeated the Pal ruler of Patliputra, Mahipal.
The Chola Navy:
Early References:
The earliest reference of the Chola Naval activity is made around the 1st Century AD in the Roman report of “Kaveripoompattinam” (present day – Poompuhar), has a description of how Trade vessels were escorted by the King’s fleet to the estuary as it was a natural harbour at the mouth of the River Kaveri.
Again, in the journal of a merchant named Periplus of the Eritrean Sea is found a mention of Chola Naval escort ships assigned to the merchant vessels laden with valuable cargo. These ships were equipped with flame-throwers and catapult like armament.
References are also found of the Early Chola Naval ships/Sea Admirals sailing all the way up to the Pacific Islands from Kaveripatnam on a regular basis for trade and intelligence gathering with a view to expanding Trade and build up beneficial Alliances.
Later History of Chola Naval Development:
During the 3rd to 7th Century AD, the Cholas were reduced to becoming Vassals of the Pallavas and they allied with the Pandyas to fight the Pallavas. All the while, they maintained a very small naval presence which dominated inland trade in the Kaveri basin, with Musuri as their major inland port.
The Imperial Chola Navy became powerful with the resurgence of the Chola power with the rise of Vijayalaya Dynasty from 848 AD onwards. Even during the rule of the Pallavas, the Medieval Cholas spread their culture and socio-economic fabric all over the ruled territories and dominated the trade avenues.
Towards the end of the Ninth Century, the Cholas had developed extensive maritime and commercial activity with many countries, particularly the Arabs and the Chinese. Several trade guilds took the king’s permission and licenses from the Customs authorities to undertake overseas voyages for trade.
The Chola Navy consisted of the naval forces of the Chola Empire allied with several other Naval-arms of the Country. The Navy grew in size and status during the reigns of the Medieval Cholas. The Chola admirals commanded a lot of respect and prestige in Society at large. The Chola Navy from about 1000 longboats/ships in the initial stages grew to become a powerful one and became a diplomatic symbol all over Asia. Its significance was subsequently reduced when the Cholas fought several land-battles to overpower the Chalukyas of Andhra-Kannada territories in Southern India.
The Navy commanders also acted as diplomats in several instances.
During the reign of Emperor Rajaraja Chola I (985 AD – 1014 AD):
The Cholas had seen the evolution of combat ships and naval architecture which played a vital role in helping Pallava Kings control piracy in South East Asia and to establish a Tamil friendly regime in the Malay Peninsula.
Rajaraja Chola, commissioned several ship-builders, particularly, Arabs and Chinese to spearhead his ship building and naval expansion programme. Close diplomatic ties with China facilitated many technological innovations between the Chinese and the Cholas. Some interesting features which were adopted by the Chinese from the Chola Naval Architecture were –
- The famous Chola ship designs employing independent water-tight compartments in the hull of a ship.
- The
Mariner’s Compass.
- The continuously shooting Flamethrowers for naval warfare.
The Cholas steadily built up their naval might, which saw a three-decade old conflict with the Sinhala King Mahinda V coming to a swift end after Rajaraja Chola I’s ascent to the throne and his decisive use of the Naval fleets to subdue the Sinhalese.
During the reign of Emperor Rajendra Chola I (1014 AD – 1044 AD):
The coronation of Rajaraja Chola I’s son, Rajendra Chola I took place in 1014 AD, which was an epoch turning event in the history of the Indian sub-continent and an important and illustrious chapter in the glorious history of the Indian Ocean.
He is credited with expanding the Chola Empire across the Seas to South-East Asia and to the North up to the Ganges with his Navy which earned him the sobriquet “Gangai Kondan”.
Cross-cultural linkages between India and several other territories and contemporary nations of South-East Asia and the Far East can be traced back to the vast Chola Empire which was at the pinnacle of its glory during the reign of Rajendra Chola I, whose writ and complete dominance extended beyond India to Empires which had accepted his Suzerainty, as a result of his successful Naval exploits.
Apart from the military and territorial conquests which expanded the zone of influence and hegemony of the Cholas. Rajendra Chola I’s naval expeditions also laid a strong foundation for promotion of trade, commerce and cultural exchanges, which brought a fabulous economic prosperity on the one hand and expansion of Indian culture and heritage across the Indian Ocean to countries in the South East Asia on the other.
The normal Sea Trade Routes of those days involved three leg voyages – starting with Indian goods, (in particular spices, cotton and gems) being shipped to China and in the second leg, Chinese goods (like Silk, incense and iron) being off-loaded at Chola ports, while the remaining cargo along with Indian-made goods/cargo was shipped to the Arabs in the third leg after being transferred to many cargo ships before reaching the ultimate destination.
The strategic position of Sri Vijaya (present day – Indonesia) and Kamboj (present day – Cambodia) as mid-points/staging posts in the trade route between Chinese and Arabian ports was crucial.
Piracy was a big menace in these parts and the Sri Vijaya Empire was encouraging sea piracy and privateers with a view to benefit from the captured booty. Sea Trade with China was greatly affected as a result. Depletion in Chinese goods and as a result, purchase of Arabian horses for the Chola cavalry greatly affected the defence preparedness of the Chola Empire among other losses.
The Chola Navy in the best naval traditions eradicated the piracy menace near Sri Vijaya and sailed as far East to Kamboj, to suppress piracy.
In addition, Rajendra Chola I led a successful expedition against the Sri Vijaya Kingdom and Kamboj and subjugated them. This invasion was prompted by commercial interests rather than any political motives.
Capabilities of the Chola Navy:
The Chola Navy could undertake any combat and non-combat missions. For example, the Navy undertook:
- Peacetime patrolling and lookout for pirate attacks.
- Escort trade
Convoys.
- Escort
Friendly Vessels.
- Naval Combats close to home ports and in the High Seas.
- Establish a beachhead and or reinforce the army in times of need.
- Blockading
Enemy ports and Sea-borne transport.
- Sabotage of
Enemy Vessels.
The multi-dimensional force enabled the Cholas to maintain military, political and cultural hegemony over their vast Empire.
Rajendra Chola (reigned from 1014 to 1044 CE) is considered one of the greatest Chola emperors of South India, who changed the course of Indian history:
During his reign, the Chola Empire established its power and cultural influence not only in South India but also across the seas.
Around 1025 CE, he launched successful naval expeditions to Southeast Asia. This was the first major naval expansion of its kind by any Indian ruler, which strengthened Indian trade, culture, and religious influence in Southeast Asia.
The purpose of these expeditions was not colonisation, but to secure trade routes, expand maritime power, and promote cultural exchange.
To commemorate this victorious campaign, he assumed the title ‘Gangaikonda Chola’ and established a new capital at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, where he built a magnificent Shiva temple – which remains a living symbol of Chola architecture even today.
It was his foresight that made the Chola Empire not only a centre of political power but also of cultural and spiritual strength.
This year, the 1000th anniversary of his historic naval expedition is being celebrated at Gangaikonda Cholapuram – where traditional recitations of Shaiva scriptures by Oduvars, discourses by Adheenams, and participation of Southeast Asian scholars are commemorating this legacy.
This commemorative coin is not only a tribute to Rajendra Chola, but also demonstrates how a Tamil emperor carried Sanatana Dharma and Indian culture across the seas and united all of South Asia through a shared cultural thread.
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Denomination of this Coin: Rs.1000 (Rs One Thousand)
Shape: Circular
The Coin Album:
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Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Thanks for sharing this informative and interesting post."
Thank you so much, Khanna sahab.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Wonderful and informative post👍"
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab.
DeleteMadhav Krishna Garg has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very detailed and informative post."
DeleteThank you so much, MK.