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Saturday, January 10, 2026
TopicCholas

Topic: Cholas

Did the Cholas really have a navy?

Much of what we know about the Cholas depends almost entirely on inscriptions—an approach that lags decades behind global academic standards.

‘The thief who stole my heart’–How pearl-laden Chola bronzes reimagined Shiva

A leading scholar in Indian art history, Vidya Dehejia used evocative storytelling to delve into the rich legacy of Chola bronze sculptures at an event in Delhi.

A Chola queen shaped Hinduism like no one else. Yet you haven’t heard of her

Sembiyan Mahadevi, a 10th-century Chola queen, reshaped Hinduism through temple patronage and art. Her vision turned Nataraja into the most iconic symbol of Shiva.

How did taxes work in medieval India? Chola, Mughal subjects struggled like today’s middle-class

In Tamil Nadu, we have an extraordinary archive of over 13,000 stone inscriptions on temple walls, recording the taxation, sale, and cultivation of land.

Chola kings divided people into 2 caste groups—to pit them against each other and exploit

In 'Caste Away', NA Vanamamalai talks about inscriptions from the time of Chola dynasty that reveal caste politics in medieval Tamil Nadu.

How do you really look at a Tamil Nadu temple? Chennai lecture series is helping

Historian Chithra Madhavan is turning the spotlight on Tamil Nadu’s neglected ancient temples and their stories in a lecture series organised by Chennai-based Tattvaloka.

Rama and the King: How an ancient hero was used by Pala poets, Chola emperors

For centuries, Rama has been used by litterateurs and rulers to legitimise themselves.

Cholas may not be in NCERT textbooks but love for Tamil, faith in Shiva will keep them alive

My one quarrel with Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan is that it emphasises on the war-mongering elements of Chola history not on their aesthetic, administrative achievements.

Go beyond Sengol. Why there’s such hype about Chola dynasty in India today

The Cholas are now Hindu nationalist heroes. And the BJP is keen to link itself with this image. But The resurgence of the Cholas in political memory is strange.

Look beyond Taj Mahal. Mughals must make way for the Cholas, Elephanta Caves in NCERT books

The NCERT was set up in the heyday of our Gosplan-inspired socialist Permit Raj. It chose to suppress the rich histories of the Cholas, Ellora, Elephanta, Kalachuris.

On Camera

India’s growth story rests on stability, reforms & strategic self-reliance: Shaktikanta Das

Former RBI governor says India is now expected to remain the fastest-growing major economy; self-reliance gives India economic resilience and foreign policy autonomy.

2025: Pakistan’s deadliest year in over a decade

Islamabad-based think-tank PICSS's new report says Pakistan saw 'pronounced escalation' in violence last year, with 3,413 conflict-related deaths compared to 1,950 in previous year.

Thank you Trump, again. India now has reason to shed fear of free trade and spur reform

UK, EFTA already in the bag and EU on the way, almost every member of RCEP except China signed up, and even restrictions on China being lifted, India has changed its mind on trade.