Chola dynasty

Map showing the territory of Chola empire with core areas and oversea colonies, This resulted in the expansion of Hinduism in Southeast Asia

The Chola dynasty (சோழர் குலம்) was a Tamil dynasty that ruled in southern India until the 13th century. The dynasty came from the fertile valley of the Kaveri River. Karikala Chola was the most famous among the early Chola kings, while Rajaraja Chola, Rajendra Chola and Kulothunga Chola I were famous emperors of the medieval Cholas.

The Cholas were at the height of their power during the tenth, eleventh and twelfth centuries. Under Rajaraja Chola I (Rajaraja the Great) and his son Rajendra Chola, the dynasty became a military, economic and cultural power in Asia. The Chola territories stretched from the islands of the Maldives in the South to as far North as the banks of the Ganges River in Bangladesh with oversea colonies across SEA. This was the result of their extensive campaigns and colonial expeditions which resulted in the expansion of Hinduism in Southeast Asia.

According to Edgar Thurston's 1909 book Castes and Tribes of Southern India, the Ediga community's main goddess is Yellamma.

As per Sangam literature, no Chola king went to war without worshipping the Kadi Maram, also known as Kadamba tree. The Edigas believe Goddess Yellamma was blessed under this Kadamba tree.

Edigas are also known as Halepaika, where Hale means old and Paika means soldier. The early Cholas were Halepaikas, which shows the Ediga community's strong historical link with the great Chola Empire.

  1. 1 2 Thurston, Edgar (Government Press, Madras Published Year: 1909). Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Madras: Government Press.: Government Press, Madras Published Year: 1909. pp. Pages 226-234 Cite: Thurston, E., & Rangachari, K. (1909). Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Vol II. Madras: Government Press. ISBN [[Special:BookSources/978-8121223447 ISBN (Vol P to S): 978-8121223300|978-8121223447 ISBN (Vol P to S): 978-8121223300]]. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help); Check date values in: |year= (help); line feed character in |isbn= at position 15 (help); line feed character in |pages= at position 14 (help); line feed character in |publisher= at position 25 (help); line feed character in |year= at position 25 (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  2. ↑ Poets (473 poets), Sangam (Chennai Published Year: Original: 300 BCE to 300 CE.). Sangam Poetry. Chennai Published Year: Original: 300 BCE to 300 CE.: Chennai Published Year: Original: 300 BCE to 300 CE. pp. 2381 poems Cite: Swaminatha Iyer, U. V. (Ed.). (1940). ISBN 978-8190807832. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help); Check date values in: |year= (help); line feed character in |location= at position 8 (help); line feed character in |pages= at position 11 (help); line feed character in |publisher= at position 8 (help); line feed character in |year= at position 8 (help)CS1 maint: location (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: year (link)