Question

2. Draw a graphic organizer depicting the significance of the Chola inscriptions.

Answer 1

Explanation:

With a highway linking it to Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram was a major commercial centre during Rajendra Chola’s time.

Why did Rajendra Chola shift the Chola capital to Gangaikondacholapuram? “First, Rajendra needed a large tract of land, to station his army of nine lakh men, which was available there. Secondly, Thanjavur was surrounded by rivers, and so logistically Gangaikondacholapuram was a better choice. Thirdly, recruitment of soldiers was easier. Before Rajendra’s time, many soldiers and even generals in the Chola army were from Kerala. Many of Raja Raja’s soldiers were from Pandya land. But Rajendra’s army had mainly Surutimans (now called Moopanars) and Vanniyars, who lived in the areas around Gangaikondacholapuram,” says Dr. L. Tyagarajan, retired Principal of Government Arts College, Ariyalur, who recorded 513 new inscriptions in Ariyalur and Perambalur districts. His Ph.D. thesis on the Historical Archaeology of Ariyalur region won plaudits from many scholars.