Rajaraja Chola I
Chola emperor who built the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur
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Rajaraja I was a Chola emperor who ruled from 985 to 1014 and turned the Chola kingdom into a major South Indian and maritime power. He built the great Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Biography
Becoming king
Born Arulmozhi Varman, the son of the Chola king Parantaka II, he came to the throne in 985 and took the name Rajaraja, “king of kings”.
Conquests
He defeated the Cheras and Pandyas in the south, conquered the northern part of Sri Lanka and the Maldives with a powerful navy, and extended Chola power into the Deccan.
Administration
Rajaraja organised a survey of land for taxation and strengthened local village assemblies. Temple inscriptions recorded his achievements in detail, giving historians a rich picture of his reign.
The Big Temple
His greatest monument is the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, dedicated to Shiva and completed around 1010, with a towering vimana. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Great Living Chola Temples. His son Rajendra I extended the empire even further.
Timeline
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985
Becomes Chola emperor
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993
Campaign in Sri Lanka (approximate)
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1010
Brihadisvara Temple completed (approximate)
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1014
Death; succeeded by Rajendra I
Notable works
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1010
Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur Building
Did you know?
-
1
His name means “king of kings”.
-
2
His Big Temple at Thanjavur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
-
3
His navy reached Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Rajaraja Chola I?
Rajaraja I was a Chola emperor who ruled from 985 to 1014 and turned the Chola kingdom into a major South Indian and maritime power. He built the great Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Where is Rajaraja Chola I from?
Rajaraja Chola I was born in India.
What is Rajaraja Chola I known for?
Rajaraja Chola I is best known for Expanding the Chola Empire; the Brihadisvara Temple; naval campaigns to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
References
- Rajaraja I — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Rajaraja I — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Rajaraja I — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Rajaraja I (Q2128757) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Rajaraja I”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 2 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Rajaraja Chola I.” TrackFame, last updated 3 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/rajaraja-chola
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