THE MOST SUCCESSFUL KING IN SOUTH INDIAN HISTORY

Raja Raja Chozhan I (Tamil: ராஜ ராஜ சோழன்) born 'Arulmozhi Varmar'(also called as Raja Kesari Varman Raja Raja Thevar [1] and respectfully as Peruudaiyar), popularly known as Raja Raja the Great, is one of the greatest emperors of the Tamil Chola Empire of India who ruled between 985 and 1014 CE. By conquering several small kingdoms in South India, he expanded the Chola Empire as far as Sri Lanka in the south, and Kalinga (Odisha) in the northeast. He fought many battles with the Chalukyas to the north and the Pandyas to the south. By conquering Vengi, Rajaraja laid the foundation for the Later Chola dynasty. He invaded Sri Lanka and started a century-long Chola occupation of the island. He streamlined the administrative system by dividing the country into various districts and by standardising revenue collection through systematic land surveys. Being an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, he built the magnificent Peruvudaiyar Temple (also known as the Brihadeeswarar Temple) in Thanjavur and through it enabled the distribution of wealth amongst his subjects. His successes enabled his son Rajendra Chola I to extend the empire even further.