For a long time, at least since I read Rebel Sultans by Manu S. Pillai, I wanted to read a book that explores at least one of the Southern dynasties in greater detail. I picked up Ponniyin Selvan by Kalki, expecting it to shed some light on the Chola dynasty, but it turned out to be historical fiction, more focused on courtroom intrigue and the fantastic, yielding very little historical knowledge along the way. Even The Golden Road by William Dalrymple, which touches upon the Pallavas and Cholas, focuses more on their impact on maritime trade between India and the East. So it was with great delight that I picked up Rajaraja Chola by Kamini Dandapani from the library—and it certainly delivered on the promise of depth about the Chola reign.
Rajaraja Chola was one of the greatest rulers this country has ever produced, with grand ambitions, ruthless execution skills, and a sense of his own grandeur in the larger scheme of things.
At one point, the Cholas ruled almost the entire South of India, stretching north to Orissa and West Bengal, encompassing major parts of Sri Lanka, and exerting a large influence (through both soft and hard power) over Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia. While the Cholas were focused on expanding their reach and influence, they were also mindful of the legacy they would leave behind. Believing their dynasty had been blessed by none other than Lord Shiva, Rajaraja Chola, followed by his son Rajendra Chola, commissioned two of the most magnificent temples this country has ever seen—the Brihadeeshwara Temple in Thanjavur and the Gangaikondacholapuram Temple in a town of the same name, among many other temples that dot the landscape of their reign.
Even more fascinating are the thousands of stone inscriptions that adorn the walls of these temples, as well as base mouldings, trellis windows, sculptures, and copper plates (including the Anbil, Leiden, Thiruvalangadu, and Kanyakumari grants). These inscriptions cover a wide range of topics: they detail the genealogy of the Cholas, from mythical to protohistoric to the current lineage; they describe which ruler commissioned the temples, who donated during their construction and operation, how many people were employed by the temples, and what salaries they drew based on their work; they recount the wars won by the rulers; and interestingly, when any other dynasty—like the Chalukyas or Pandyas—conquered a Chola region, they added to the temple inscriptions in the territories they won, mentioning their own legacy, and vice versa.
In a way, these inscriptions provide us with a written history of those times—quite detailed, carved on stone and copper, and deciphered only about 150 years ago. When I was reading Ponniyin Selvan, I was struck by how much the author seemed to know about the time of Rajaraja Chola’s rule, especially since we know so little about another great ruler from the North, Prithviraj Chauhan, who came much later. Now I understand that there are very few inscriptions from his reign and none by him directly. What we know about this great ruler comes primarily from epic poems like Prithviraj Raso or Muslim accounts. Additionally, it is possible that not many temples survive in North India, as they bore the brunt of Muslim invasions to a much greater extent than the southern parts of the country. This makes one wonder: if we look 1,000 years ahead, what will survive from our day and age? I asked this question to ChatGPT, and it gave me a comprehensive answer (which you can find below this review), with the following conclusion:
“A thousand years from now, the blend of ancient traditions, colonial heritage, and modern technological advancements would create a multi-layered archive of India in the 2000-2025 period. This combination of digital and physical preservation—ranging from stone inscriptions to digital records—would offer future historians a complex and varied view of one of the most dynamic nations in the 21st century.”
A lot might survive from our times on this Earth. If you have a sense of history, you should certainly go for it and do something remarkable to be etched in the annals of modern history, forever remembered from this point onward.
This book covers much more—the famous bronze idols of these temples, the maritime trade during the Chola period, the Cholas’ relationships with Sri Lanka, Southeast Asian countries, and China, the powerful women of the time, law and order, the Bhakti movement, and the Nayanmar saints. It also explores the interplay between various dynasties—the Cheras, Pandyas, Hoysalas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas—and the way the Cholas both dominated and were dominated by them at different times in history.
Rajaraja Chola is a fascinating read about a glorious chapter in Indian history. It’s definitely worth your time!
P.S.: ChatGPT’s detailed response on our era’s legacy, looked at from a thousand years in future (printed as is):
If I were to look back from a thousand years in the future, reflecting on the period from 2000 to 2025 in India, there would likely be multiple avenues of preservation, each influenced by the technological, cultural, and environmental factors of the time. The sources of information and architecture that would survive would be a fascinating mixture of the material and the digital, the tangible and the intangible. Here’s what might stand out:
1. Digital Archives and Data Storage
By 3025, it’s likely that a large portion of the information about the early 21st century would come from digital archives. The digital footprint of humanity in 2000-2025 is immense, and although much of it may be lost over time due to technological obsolescence, some of it would undoubtedly survive in well-preserved forms. This would be more likely if:
- Data preservation systems were upgraded and maintained. The internet, cloud-based archives, and distributed storage could ensure that a significant portion of digital history survives.
- Digital records such as e-books, videos, social media archives, and government databases (such as census records) would provide insights into societal, political, and cultural trends.
- Global collaboration in data preservation (such as initiatives like the Internet Archive or national archives) could ensure that much of the knowledge of this time is retained.
However, it’s also possible that much of the ephemeral nature of social media and personal content would fade, leaving only curated or significant historical moments.
2. Stone and Metal Inscriptions
Like the surviving inscriptions from ancient Indian civilizations (e.g., Ashoka’s edicts), it’s possible that some physical records would endure, especially if they were made in durable materials like stone or metal. This might include:
- Commemorative plaques and statues marking significant events in Indian history, politics, and culture. Public monuments celebrating leaders or historical moments (such as the statue of unity for Sardar Patel, or monuments dedicated to events like India’s independence or significant political milestones) could potentially survive if they were made of enduring materials like stone or metal.
- Temple inscriptions: Even though temples themselves might have undergone significant changes or destruction due to urbanization, temples constructed during this period, particularly those with historical significance or cultural importance, may bear inscriptions detailing the political and social context of the time.
3. Architecture and Urban Preservation
Some buildings and monuments constructed during this period, especially in cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Jaipur, may survive if they were made with durable materials and were valued by future generations. These might include:
- Modern temples or places of worship, which have been designed with a fusion of traditional and contemporary architecture.
- Government buildings, monumental structures such as the Parliament House or India Gate, and large, iconic skyscrapers in cities may endure if they are considered historical landmarks by future societies.
- Art Deco and modernist architecture might have a future where it’s valued as part of the global architectural heritage, similar to how European architecture from the 20th century is preserved.
The rise of smart cities, sustainable architecture, and urban hubs could also leave behind significant traces. Skyscrapers, innovative residential complexes, and technological hubs might become the defining markers of this era in the future.
4. Cultural Artifacts and Artistic Preservation
The rise of digital art, cinema, and literature would likely make these mediums crucial markers of this era’s identity. Future generations could uncover:
- Bollywood cinema: As one of the largest film industries in the world, Bollywood (and regional cinema) will likely leave behind vast amounts of film, both in traditional and digital formats. These could be archived, studied, and preserved for their historical, artistic, and cultural significance.
- Literature and written records: The rich literary history of India during this period (in multiple languages like Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, etc.) might be preserved in the form of books, e-books, and digital libraries.
- Performing arts: Classical music, dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and other regional traditions might survive through both digital recordings and physical relics related to performances (like musical instruments, costumes, and traditional theatre).
5. Political and Social Movements
India’s rapid political and social evolution would also be something that would endure in some form, although it would depend on which movements or individuals gain historical significance in the future. Some examples include:
- Political leaders: The era of leaders like Narendra Modi, their policies, the rise of regionalism, and the shifting dynamics of democracy might be preserved in academic texts, biographical works, and speeches.
- Digital activism and social movements: Movements related to climate change, human rights, gender equality, and labor rights might leave a legacy in the form of online protests, hashtags, or government documents from the time. Campaigns like #MeToo, farmer protests, or environmental activism could be remembered as pivotal moments in the social history of this period.
6. Climate and Environmental Records
In 1000 years, much of the physical and natural environment of India would have changed. However, data about the climate crisis, environmental degradation, and sustainability efforts would be preserved in:
- Satellite records and climate data from the early 21st century, which would be stored in repositories and serve as a reference for future generations studying the global warming trends and natural disasters of the time.
- Environmental policy records, like India’s role in the Paris Agreement and regional efforts to combat pollution, could be preserved digitally or through physical policy documents.
7. Language and Communication
With the evolution of languages, much of the spoken word and local dialects would undergo changes. However:
- Linguistic records of languages like Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, Telugu, etc., would likely be preserved in dictionaries, recordings, and scholarly texts. Language evolution may make it harder to understand daily conversation, but texts like newspapers, literature, and textbooks would remain.
- Scripts and writing systems: The preservation of older scripts used in South Asia like Devanagari, Tamil script, or Gujarati might be studied and remembered through educational or religious texts.
8. Spiritual and Religious Legacy
India’s rich and diverse spiritual landscape would be immortalized through:
- Temples and places of worship: These would remain important symbols of India’s religious diversity. Even as some might deteriorate, others may be revered as heritage sites or hubs of spiritual tourism.
- Religious texts: Manuscripts and digital repositories of texts from Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, and other faiths would survive, giving insight into the belief systems, philosophies, and practices of the period.
9. Scientific and Technological Advances
India’s growing role in science and technology during this era—especially in fields like space exploration, biotechnology, and information technology—would leave a lasting legacy:
- Space missions: Records of India’s missions like Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and Gaganyaan would be stored in archives and digital media. The development of private space ventures like ISRO‘s collaborations would become part of India’s space heritage.
- Technological infrastructure: The development of digital infrastructure, like 5G networks and AI innovations, would leave behind technical records and patents.
Conclusion:
A thousand years from now, the blend of ancient traditions, colonial heritage, and modern technological advancements would create a multi-layered archive of India in the 2000-2025 period. This combination of digital and physical preservation—ranging from stone inscriptions to digital records—would offer future historians a complex and varied view of one of the most dynamic nations in the 21st century.
Alienman 