TANJORE

With the dawn of the seventh century, its history unfolds commencing with the reign of Mutharai Kings that ruled it for nearly two centuries. A glittering chapter was opened in 846 A.D. with the accession of Chola Kings to the imperial throne, whose fame reached the zenith under Rajaraja Chola I. By his unparalleled military prowess and inextinguishable thirst for expansion, he conquered Cheran, Pandian and Elam Kings, who were formidably gallant and equally dauntless, and so he was equated with Lord Siva, otherwise known as Thiripuranthaka for slaying the most dreadfully perfidious demons ruling the three cities. Consequently, his dominion swelled upto Kalinga in the North, parts of Malaya peninsula, the Archipelago, Nicobar islands and Ceylon in the deep south, and from shore to shore across the sub- continent, why, he practically brought the whole of South India under his imperial umbrella. 

He ruled for 29 years; and it was the golden age of Cholas, judge  by any standard; for, peace and prosperity made his kingdom their permanent home. In consequence, trade and commerce prospered and ventured across the seas; architecture and painting soared higher than the highest; while poetry, dancing, singing and the allied arts scaled new heights. Above all, religious toleration touched the meridian of sublime harmony, as evidenced by the peaceful co-existence of Buddhism, Jainism, along with Vaishnavism and Saivism, the then state religions. Naicks who ruled it later after two centuries imparted fresh valour and vitality to the effete traditions and out-dated conventions. Novelty peeped out from every walk of life.

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