https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Imperial_Chola_ArmyImperial Chola Army - Revision history2026-08-07T04:22:08ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Imperial_Chola_Army&diff=503780&oldid=prevManish Khouriwal: added a details2026-04-25T17:17:57Z<p>added a details</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Ancient and medieval Tamil armed forces}}<br />
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{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}<br />
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{{infobox national military<br />
| country = Chola Empire<br />
| name = Chola military<br />
| native_name = சோழர் படை<br />
| image = Flag of Chola Kingdom.png<br />
| image_size = <br />
| caption = Fictional Chola flag<br />
| founded = 300 BC<br />
| disbanded = 1280 CE<br />
| headquarters = * [[Thanjavur]], [[Chola Empire]] <br />
*[[Gangaikonda Cholapuram]], [[Chola Empire]]<br />
| commander-in-chief = <br />
| commander-in-chief_title = <br />
| minister = <br />
| minister_title = <br />
| commander = <br />
| commander_title = <br />
| age = <br />
| conscription = <br />
| manpower_data = <br />
| manpower_age = <br />
| available = <br />
| available_f = <br />
| fit = <br />
| fit_f = <br />
| reaching = <br />
| reaching_f = <br />
| active = <br />
| ranked = <br />
| reserve = <br />
| deployed = <br />
| history = '''Wars'''<br />
* [[Chola expedition to North India|Annexation of Kalinga and Bengal, 1019–1024]]<br />
* [[Chola–Chalukya wars]]<br />
*[[Pandyan Civil War (1169–1177)]]<br />
*[[Pallava–Chalukya Conflict]]<br />
*[[Govinda III's Southern Campaign]]<br />
'''Invasions'''<br />
* [[Anuradhapura kingdom#Invasions|Early Chola invasion of Anuradhapura (205 BC)]]<br />
* [[Karikala Chola Invasion of Srilanka]]<ref>{{cite book <br />
| last=Sharma <br />
| first=R. S. <br />
| title=India's Ancient Past <br />
| publisher=Oxford University Press <br />
| year=2005 <br />
| page=253 <br />
| url=https://archive.org/details/indiaancientpastbyrssharma/page/n251/mode/1up <br />
| quote=Karikala constructed embankments along the Kaveri with the labour of 12,000 slaves brought as captives from Sri Lanka.<br />
}}</ref><br />
* [[Chola occupation of Anuradhapura|Conquest of Anuradhapura, 993]]<br />
* Conquest of the [[Chera dynasty|Chera Kingdom]] and [[Pandya dynasty|Pandya Kingdom 1018–1019 CE]]<br />
* Conquest of the [[Maldives]], [[Kavaratti]] and [[Lakshadweep]] islands<br />
* [[Chola expedition to North India|Conquest of the Kalinga]]<br />
* [[Chola expedition to North India|Conquest of the Ganges]]<br />
* [[Chola Expedition of the Ganges|Chola conquest of Chandra dynasty]]<br />
* [[South-East Asia campaign of Rajendra Chola I|Conquest of Pegu, 1023-1025]]<br />
*[[South-East Asia campaign of Rajendra I|Chola conquest of the Nicobar island, 1023-1025]]<br />
* [[Chola invasion of Srivijaya|Invasion of Srivijaya, 1025]]<br />
* [[South-East Asia campaign of Rajendra I|Chola conquest of the Langkasuka kingdom]]<br />
* [[Chola invasion of Kedah|Chola invasion of Malaysia, 1028]]<br />
* [[Chola invasion of Kadaram (1068)|Invasion of Kadaram, 1068]]<br />
* [[Chola invasion of Kalinga (1097)|Invasion of Kalinga, 1097]]<br />
* [[Chola invasion of Kalinga (1110)|Invasion of Kalinga, 1110]]<br />
'''Battles'''<br />
*[[Battle of Kalumalam]]<br />
*[[Battle of Kariyaru]]<br />
*[[Battle of Vijithapura|Battle of Vijuthapura(161 or 162 BC)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Venni|Battle of Venni (130 CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Vahaipparandalai|Battle of Vahaipparandalai (2nd century CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Nerivayil|Battle of Nerivayil (2nd century CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Talaiyalanganam|Battle of Talaiyalanganam ( 3rd century CE)]]<br />
* [[Battle of Thirupurambiyam|Battle of Thirupurambiyam (879 CE)]]<br />
* [[Battle of Vellore|Battle of Vellur (910 CE)]]<br />
* [[Battle of Vallala|Battle of Vallala (911 CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Kodumbai|Battle of Kodumbai (10th century CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Takkolam|Battle of Takkolam (949 CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Chevur|Battle of Chevur (959 CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Kandalur Salai|Battle of Kandalur Salai (988 CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Panasoge|Battle of Panasoge (1000 CE) ]]<br />
*[[Battle of Udagai|Battle of Udagai (1003 CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Kalavur|Battle of Kalavur (1006 CE) ]]<br />
*[[Battle of Donur|Battle of Donur (1007 CE)]]<br />
*[[Chola occupation of Anuradhapura|Battle of Rohana(1017 CE)]]<ref>Nilakanda Sastry, The Cholas, pg. 200</ref><br />
*[[Battle of Maski|Battle of Maski (1019 – 1020 CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Pundur]]<br />
*[[Battle of Dannada]]<br />
*[[Battle of Koppam|Battle of Koppam (1054 CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Mudakkaru|Battle of Mudakkaru (1060 CE)]]<br />
*[[First Battle of Kudal-Sangamam|First Battle of Kudal-Sangamam (1062 CE)]]<br />
*[[Second Battle of Kudal -Sangamam|Second Battle of Kudal-Sangamam (1067 CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Vijayawada|Battle of Vijayawada (1068)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Kampili|Battle of Kampili (1068 CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Nangili|Battle of Nangili (1076 CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Godavari|Battle of Godavari (1133 CE)]]<br />
*[[Battle of Nettur|Battle of Nettur (1188 CE)]]<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Chola history}}<br />
<br />
The '''Imperial''' '''Chola Army''' ({{Langx|ta|சோழர் படை}}) refers to the army of the [[Chola Empire]]. The Chola military fought dozens of wars, and it also underwent numerous changes in structure, organization, equipment and tactics, while conserving a core of lasting [[Tamil culture|Tamil]] traditions.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/CholasI |title=Cholas I}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Pre-Imperial Sangam period (300 BC – 300 AD)==<br />
It has not been possible to assemble an internal chronology of the Sangam works and pinpoint when and how the early Chola military was formed.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/CholasI |title=Cholas I}}</ref><br />
<br />
The [[Chola]] state maintained a well-equipped standing army of professional soldiers. Military commanders were honored with the title of ''ēnāti'', conferred in a formal investiture ceremony by the king.<br />
<br />
{{cquote|"You, when you see a fight, you rush to the front, divide your enemy’s forces, stand before them, and get your body scarred by the deep cuts of their swords; thus are you (your fame is) pleasant to the ear, not so your body to the eye. As for them (your enemies), when they see you, they turn their backs, and with bodies whole and unscarred, they are pleasant to the eye, not so (their infamy) to the ear. Hence, you are pleasant in one way, they in another; what is there else in which they do not equal you? Yet, what wonder is it, tell us, noble one! that this world cherishes you, O Killi, of the fleet steed and of the victorious anklet-adorned foot."<ref>{{cite book<br />
|last=Sastri<br />
|first=K. A. Nilakanta<br />
|title=The Cholas, Volume I<br />
|publisher=University of Madras<br />
|year=1935<br />
|page=86<br />
|url=https://archive.org/details/CholasI/page/n106/mode/1up<br />
|access-date=24 April 2026<br />
}}</ref><br />
}}<br />
<br />
===Karikala Chola===<br />
{{main|Karikala Chola}}<br />
Karikala Chola stands pre-eminent amongst all those mentioned in ''[[Pattinappaalai]]''. 'Karikala' means 'elephant feller' or 'charred leg', which is assumed to be a reference to an accident by fire that befell the prince early in his life.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/CholasI |title=Cholas I}}</ref> ''Pattinappaalai'' describes this accident and the enterprising way in which the prince escaped and established himself on the Chola throne. ''Pattinappalai'' is a poem on the then Chola capital [[Puhar, Nagapattinam|Kaveripattinam]] and describes the numerous battles Karikala fought against the Cheras and Pandyas, including the famous [[Battle of Venni]] where the Chola army defeated a confederacy of (about) a dozen rulers headed by Chera and Pandya kings. Following the battle, the Chera king was disgraced (received a wound on his back) and committed suicide. Karikala thus broke the confederacy that was formed against him, conquered the Chera and Pandya kingdoms, and established Chola hegemony over Tamilakam.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/CholasI |title=Cholas I}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=K. A. Nilakanta Sastry |url=http://archive.org/details/history-of-south-india-k.-a.-nilkanta-sastry |title=A History Of South India ( K. A. Nilakanta Sastry)}}</ref> After the Battle of Venni, Karikala defeated the confederacy of nine minor chieftains in the Battle of Vakaipparandalai. He also invaded Sri Lanka and took away, among other things, 12,000 Sinhalese men to work as slaves in the construction of the [[Kallanai Dam]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6nrXAAAAMAAJ&q=sinhalese+slaves+kaveri+dam | isbn=9789555801102 | title=Walking to Kataragama | year=2007 | publisher=International Centre for Ethnic Studies }}</ref><ref>{{cite book <br />
| last=Sharma <br />
| first=R. S. <br />
| title=India's Ancient Past <br />
| publisher=Oxford University Press <br />
| year=2005 <br />
| page=253 <br />
| url=https://archive.org/details/indiaancientpastbyrssharma/page/n251/mode/1up <br />
| quote=Karikala constructed embankments along the Kaveri with the labour of 12,000 slaves brought as captives from Sri Lanka.<br />
}}</ref><br />
<br />
The poet Kovur Kilar mentions a protracted civil war between two Chola chieftains [[Nalankilli]] and [[Nedunkilli]]. Nedunkilli isolated himself in a fort in Avur, which was being besieged by Mavalattan, Nalankilli's younger brother. The poet chided Nedunkilli to come out and fight like a man instead of causing untold misery to the people of the city. In another poem, the poet begs both the princes to give up the civil war as whoever wins, the loser will be a Chola.<br />
<br />
''Kalavali'' by Poygayar mentions the Chola King [[Kocengannan]] and his battle with the Chera king Kanaikkal Irumporai. The Chera was taken prisoner and Poygayar, who was a friend of the Chera, sang a poem praising the Chola King Kochchenganan in 40 stanzas. The Chola king, pleased with the work, released the Chera. Kalavali describes the battle fought at Kalumalam, near the Chera capital. [[Kocengannan]] is one of the 63 [[nayanars]]. Kocengannan became the subject of many instances in later times and is portrayed as a pious [[Shiva|Siva]] devotee who built many fine temples for Siva along the banks of the river [[Kaveri]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Imperial Chola army ==<br />
The Chola dynasty faded into darkness after c. 300 CE. During this period, the Cholas lost their sovereignty in Tamilakam and held on to their old capital city of [[Urayur]] by serving as a vassal state under the [[Kalabhra]] and [[Pallava]] dynasties and by making use of the opportunity during a war between the Pandyas and Pallavas, [[Vijayalaya Chola]] rose out of obscurity and captured Thanjavur and re-established the Chola dynasty. In 852 CE, Vijayalaya Chola declared war on the Pandyas and defeated them and at the same time, the Cholas became so powerful that the Pallavas were also wiped out from the Thanjavur region at a later stage. The Medieval Chola Empire traced their ancestry to the ancient Tamil King, [[Karikala]], making him the dynasty's ancestral father.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/epigraphiaindica014342mbp | title=Epigraphia Indica Vol V | publisher=Manager of Publications, Delhi }}</ref><br />
<br />
== Organization and administration ==<br />
Cholas recruited military personnel of four types: soldiers of hereditary military families, soldiers raised from various tribes, personnel provided by various tradesmen and merchants, and mercenaries.<ref>Sastri 1992b: 745-7</ref><br />
<br />
In addition to the divisions, there were the ''Nadapu''—the commissariat and ''Payanam''—the admiralty and logistics. The addition to these, bureaucratic reforms revolutionized the Chola Army, resulting in victories on a massive scale.<ref>''The Encyclopedia of Military History from 3500 B.C. to the Present'', Page 1458–59 by Richard Ernest Dupuy, Trevor Nevitt Dupuy -1986,</ref><br />
<br />
=== Famous generals ===<br />
[[File:Rajendra Chola in Battle, Kolaramma Temple - Edited.jpg|thumb|[[Rajendra Chola I|Rajendra I]] at battle in [[Karnataka]]. ]]<br />
There were hundreds of generals in the Medieval Chola Army, some notable commanders include: <br />
*Senathipathi Araiyan Rajarajan (11th century)<br />
**Younger brother of [[Rajendra Chola I]] and highest ranking general of the Chola Army during their victories against the Western Chalukya dynasty, Somavamsi dynasty, the Pala Kingdom, and the Kamboja Pala dynasty<br />
* Senathipathi Abrameya Pallavan, was the commander-in-chief of Rajaraja Chola. <br />
** He was the commander in [[Battle of Kandalur Salai|kandalur salai battle 988CE]] and also in the Kudamalai battle in 994 CE where Prince Rajendra led the forces.<br />
*Senathipathi [[Aditha Karikalan]] (10th Century)<br />
**Commander of Northern Troops, He led the army against Pandyas and defeated the Pandya king Veerapandyan at the Battle of Chevur.<br />
*Senathipathi [[Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan]] (10th–11th century)<br />
** Commander of the Sri Lanka Front Army of Rajaraja l and Rajendra I during the [[Chola conquest of Anuradhapura]]<br />
*Senathipathi [[Karunakara Tondaiman]] (Late 11th century)<br />
** Famous general during the reign of [[Kulottunga Chola I]] who defeated the Kalinga armies of King Anantavarman and went on to plunder Lanka<br />
**The Karunakara Pillaiyar temple in the Jaffna peninsula was built after him. The village, Thondaimanaru, in Ceylon, was also named after him<br />
*Senathipathi [[Naralokaviran]] (Late 11th century) <br />
**General during the reign of [[Kulottunga Chola I]] and his successor [[Vikrama Chola]] who led many Chola campaigns in the deep south and distinguished himself in the Pandya Wars<br />
*Senathipathi [[Paluvettaraiyar]] Maravan Kandanar (Late 10th century)<br />
**An important general during the reign of [[Parantaka Chola II]] who strengthened the Pazhuvettaraiyar regiment that was actively deployed during the [[Chola conquest of Anuradhapura]]<br />
*Thalapathi Thiruchitrambalamudaiyan Perumanambi (Late 12th century)<br />
**Defeated Polonnaruwa Army generals [[Lankapura Dandanatha]] and Jagad Vijaya in battle and successfully re-conquered the Pandyan Kingdom on behalf of [[Rajadhiraja Chola II]] during the [[Pandyan Civil War (1169–1177)]]<br />
*Anipathi Annan Pallavarayan (Late 12th century)<br />
**Invaded Polonnaruwa and destroyed parakramabahu's preparations for the invasion of Chola Nadu and provided support for Sinhalese Prince Sri Vallabha, nephew of Parakramabahu and a rival claimant to the Polonnaruwa throne<br />
<br />
== Regiments ==<br />
[[File:Airavatesvara temple IMG 0660.jpg|thumb|Horse-drawn chariots used by the Chola Army]]<br />
[[File:Airavateswara Temple Darasuram 06.jpg|thumb|Elephants used in battle]]<br />
Chola inscriptions mention numerous regiments by specific names. [[Rajaraja Chola I]] created a powerful standing army and a considerable navy, which achieved even greater success under his son [[Rajendra Chola I]]. The prominence given to the army from the conquest of the [[Pandyas]] down to the last year of the king's reign is significant and shows the spirit with which the king treated his soldiers. Rajaraja gave his army its due share in the glory derived from his extensive conquests. The army was composed chiefly of [[Kaikolar]]s (Weavers), which were royal troops receiving regular payments from the treasury (e.g. ''Arul mozhideva-terinda-kaikola padai''; in this, ''arulmozhideva'' is the king's name, ''terinda'' means well known, and ''padai'' means regime).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC&pg=PA491|title=Kaikolar|isbn=9788122411980|last1=Sen|first1=Sailendra Nath|year=1999|publisher=New Age International }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1db0kdWgWVf2z9oxl1smUT02adimFNPra/view|title=Kaikolappadai}}</ref> Kaikolars were also a part-time weavers who formed battalions during wartime.<br />
<br />
Some of the well-known Kaikola battalions were:{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}<br />
<br />
* Singalantaka-terinda-Kaikkolar<br />
* Virachozha-terinja-Kaikkolar<br />
* Kodandarama-terinja-Kaikkolar<br />
* Danatonga-terinja-Kaikkolar<br />
* Parantaka-terinja-Kaikkolar<br />
* Muthuvalpetra-Kaikkolar<br />
* Samarakesarit-terinja-Kaikkolar<br />
* Vikramasingat-terinja-Kaikkolar<br />
* Adityapanma-terinda-Kaikkolar<br />
* Karikala-chozha-terinja-Kaikkolar<br />
* Arulmozhideva-terinja-Kaikkolar<br />
* Parttivasekarat-terinja-Kaikkolar<br />
* Gandaraditta-terinja-Kaikkolar<br />
* Madurantaka-terinja-Kaikkolar<br />
<br />
Kodandarama-terinja-Kaikkolar is named after [[Aditya I|Aditya Chola I]] who had another name Kodandarama. Smarakesarit-terinja-Kaikkolar and Vikramasingat-terinja-Kaikkolar derived their names from possible titles of [[Parantaka I|Parantaka Chola I]]. Gandaraditta-terinja-Kaikkolar must have been the name of a regiment named after king [[Gandaraditya|Gandaraditya Chola]], the father of [[Uttama (Chola dynasty)|Uttama Chola]]. Singalantaka-terinda-Kaikkolar, a regiment named after Singalantaka i.e. Parantaka Chola I. Danatunga-terinja-Kaikkolar (regiment or group). The early writing of the record and the surname Danatunga of Parantaka I suggest its assignment to his reign. Muthuvalpetra, meaning the “recipient of the pearl ornamented sword” in Tamil seems to indicate some special honour or rank conferred on the regiment by the king. Arulmozhideva-terinja-Kaikkolar is named after [[Raja Raja Chola I]].{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}<br />
<br />
The following regiments are mentioned in the [[Tanjavur]] inscriptions:{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}<br />
<br />
* Uttama- Chola-terinda-Andalagattalar<br />
* Perundanattu Anaiyatkal — Elephant corps.<br />
* Pandita-Chola-Terinda-villigal — Archers<br />
* Nigarili- Chola terinda-Udanilai-Kudiraichchevagar — Cavalry<br />
* Mummadi- Chola-terinda-Anaippagar — Elephant corps<br />
* Vira- Chola-Anukkar<br />
* Parantaka-Kongavalar — Light Infantry<br />
* Mummadi- Chola-terinda-parivarattar<br />
* Keralantaka-terinda-parivarattar<br />
* Mulaparivara-vitteru alias Jananatha-terinda-parivarattar<br />
* Singalantaka-terinda-parivarattar<br />
* Sirudanattu Vadugakkalavar<br />
* Valangai-Parambadaigalilar<br />
* Sirudanattu-Valangai-Velaikkarappadaigal<br />
* Aragiya- Chola-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar<br />
* Aridurgalanghana-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar<br />
* Chandaparakrama-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar<br />
* Ilaiya-Rajaraja-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar<br />
* Kshatriyasikhamani-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar<br />
* Murtavikramabharana-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar<br />
* Rajakanthirava-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar<br />
* Rajaraja-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar<br />
* Rajavinoda-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar<br />
* Ranamukha-Bhima-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar<br />
* Vikramabharana-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar<br />
* Keralantaka-vasal-tirumeykappar<br />
* Anukka-vasal-tirumeykappar — Personal bodyguards<br />
* Parivarameykappargal — Personal bodyguards<br />
* Palavagai-Parampadaigalilar<br />
* Perundanattu-Valangai-Velaikkarappadaigal<br />
<br />
''Velaikkarappadaigal'' or ''Velaikkarar'' is the equivalent of "Guards regiment" or "King's Regiment"—a royal suffix given in honour of their loyalty and bravery. Some historians like Stein also propose that they were drawn from the civilian population during wartime, suggesting they were more like the National Guard. They are mentioned in the [[Mahavamsa]]; according to that account, the [[Sinhala Kingdom|Sinhalese]] kingdom tried to use them as mercenaries against the Chola empire. They were later silenced and decommissioned when they refused and rebelled.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}<br />
<br />
There are almost seventy such regiments that have been found in these inscriptions. In most of the foregoing names, the first portion appears to be the surnames or titles of the king himself or that of his son. That these regiments were called after the king or his son shows the attachment that the Chola king bore towards his army.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}<br />
<br />
It may not be unreasonable to suppose that these royal names were prefixed to the designations of these regiments after they had distinguished themselves in some engagement or other. It is worthy of note that there are elephant troops, cavalry and foot soldiers among these regiments.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}<br />
<br />
Top officers took various titles after the different kings such as ''Rajaraja Chola Brahmarajan'', ''Rajarajakesari Muvendavelar'', ''Jayamkondachola Villuparaiyar'', ''Uttamachola Muvendavelar'', ''Manukula Muvendavelar'', ''Nittavinotha Muvendavelar'', ''Atirajendra'' ''Muvendavelar'', ''Mummudi chola pallavaraiyar'', and ''Viranarayanan Muvendavelan''.<ref name="The Travancore state manual, Volume 1, page 192">''The Travancore state manual, Volume 1, page 192''</ref><br />
[[File:"Airavatesvara Temple wall details".JPG|thumb|Chola troops in battle]]<br />
<br />
== Garrisons ==<br />
The military administration system of the Chola dynasty in ancient India was a meticulously planned and executed strategy to ensure the security and stability of their vast empire. The army was stationed throughout the country in the form of local garrisons and cantonments, commonly known as "Kadagams." These garrisons were established in strategic locations to provide immediate security to the surrounding regions. They also served as administrative centres for the collection of taxes, maintenance of law and order, and the dispensation of justice.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}<br />
<br />
The Cholas' military administration system extended beyond their borders, with garrisons stationed in the territories they had conquered. These garrisons were responsible for the collection of taxes and the maintenance of law and order in these regions. They also acted as a deterrent against any rebellion or uprising, thereby ensuring the continued subjugation of the conquered territories.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}<br />
<br />
The Cholas' military administration system was not limited to the establishment of garrisons and cantonments. They also maintained a well-trained and well-equipped army that was ready to respond to any threat to the empire's security. The Cholas also had a navy that patrolled the seas around their empire, protecting their trade routes and preventing piracy.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}<br />
<br />
Overall, the Cholas' military administration system was a testament to their foresight and strategic planning. It provided security and stability to their empire, ensuring its continued prosperity and longevity. Following the [[Chola conquest of Anuradhapura]], Senathipathi of the Sri Lanka Front Army of [[Rajaraja I|Rajaraja l]] and [[Rajendra Chola I|Rajendra I]], [[Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan]], garrisoned the city of [[Polonnaruwa]] to administer control over the island and deter any attempt of reconquest by the Sinhalese armies.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yE85EAAAQBAJ&dq=chola+army+sri+lanka+garrisons&pg=PT189 | isbn=9781000432121 | title=A Global History of Pre-Modern Warfare: Before the Rise of the West, 10,000 BCE–1500 CE | date=14 September 2021 | publisher=Routledge }}</ref> After the troubles in the [[Pandya]] country, [[Kulothunga Chola I]] stationed his army in several military colonies along the main route to Pandya from Chola lands. One such colony was found at Kottaru and another at Madavilagam near [[South Arcot]] district in [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>''South Indian Inscriptions'', vol. 3</ref><br />
<br />
== Navy ==<br />
{{Main|Chola Navy}}<br />
<br />
The maritime force of the [[Chola dynasty]] was established with ships primarily utilized for trade and transportation. Notably, the dynasty lacked a dedicated ship for naval combat. Instead, these ships were repurposed to transport the land army overseas. The [[Chola]] maritime force consisted of several types of ships, such as the Kalamukha, Manthai, and Sandhani ships. The Kalamukha was a warship equipped with a battering ram, while the Manthai was a cargo ship with a capacity of up to 500 passengers. The Sandhani was designed specifically to transport horses and elephants overseas. Despite the lack of a ship designed for naval battles, the [[Chola dynasty]] maintained a formidable maritime force through the strategic utilization of their ships for both trade and transportation purposes.<ref name="MajumdarHistCult3">{{cite book |last=Majumdar |first=Romesh Chandra |url=https://archive.org/details/struggleforempir05bhar/page/250/mode/2up?q= |title=The History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume V: The Struggle for Empire |publisher=[[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]] |year=2001 |location=Mumbai |author-link=R. C. Majumdar}}</ref>{{rp|251}}<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Sakhuja |first1=Vijay |last2=Sakhuja |first2=Sangeeta |title=Nagapattinam to suvarnadwipa: Reflections on the Chola naval expeditions to Southeast Asia |editor-last1=Kulke |editor-first1=Hermann |editor-last2=Kesavapany |editor-first2=K. |editor-last3=Sakhuja |editor-first3=Vijay |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |year=2009 |location=Singapore |pages=76–90 |chapter=Rajendra Chola I’s Naval Expedition to Southeast Asia: A Nautical Perspective}}</ref>{{rp|77}}<br />
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== Notes ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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== References ==<br />
* {{cite book |first=Kulke |last=Hermann |author2=Rothermund D |orig-year=1986 |year=1998 |title=A History of India |publisher=Routledge |isbn=0-203-44345-4 |edition=3rd |location=London and New York |url=https://archive.org/details/a-history-of-india_202106/page/n3/mode/2up}}<br />
* {{Cite book |last1=Hirth |first1=Friedrich |last2=Rockhill |first2=William Woodville |title=Chau Ju-Kua: His Work on the Chinese and Arab Trade in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries, entitled Chu Fan Chï |publisher=Imperial Academy of Sciences |year=1911 |location=St. Petersburg |url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924023289345/page/n7/mode/2up}}<br />
* {{cite book |first=K.A |last=Nilakanta Sastri |orig-year=1935 |year=1955 |title=The CōĻas |publisher=G. S. Press |edition=2nd |location=Madras |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.4293/page/n7/mode/2up}}<br />
* {{cite book |first=K.A |last=Nilakanta Sastri |orig-year=1955 |year=1958 |title=A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the fall of Vijayanagar |publisher=Oxford University Press |edition=2nd |location=Madras |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.16035/page/n7/mode/2up}}<br />
* {{cite book |first=Rama Sankar |last=Tripathi |year=1987 |title=History of Ancient India |publisher=Narendra Prakash Jain |location=Delhi |orig-date=1942 |isbn=81-208-0017-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofancientindiaramshankartripathimlbd_919_P/page/n1/mode/2up}}<br />
* {{cite book<br />
| last = Gopal<br />
| first = B. R.<br />
| title = The Chalukyas of Kalyana and the Kalachuris<br />
| publisher = Karnataka University (Prasārānga)<br />
| location = Dharwad<br />
| year = c. 1981<br />
| pages = 90<br />
| url = https://archive.org/details/sgw.chalukyasofkalya0000brgo/page/90/mode/1up<br />
| accessdate = 13 July 2025<br />
}}<br />
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[[Category:Chola Empire|Military]]<br />
[[Category:Military history of India]]<br />
[[Category:Military of Chola| ]]</div>Manish Khouriwal