Chola Empire's Kadaram Navy Base and Strait Patrol

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a largely overlooked piece of Chola naval history: the establishment of a permanent navy base at Kadaram (modern Kedah, Malaysia) after Rajendra Chola I's 1025 raid on Srivijaya. They discuss how the Cholas transformed a captured port into a fortified outpost to control the Strait of Malacca, the world's busiest choke point for spice and silk trade. Drawing on the Tanjore inscription and Tamil merchant guild records, they examine the base's role in projecting power, protecting Ayyavole trading ships, and collecting tolls until the late 11th century. The episode also delves into the strategic rivalry with the Sailendra dynasty, the logistical challenges of maintaining a fleet across the Bay of Bengal, and the evidence for a permanent Chola garrison in Southeast Asia. Finally, they reflect on how this maritime strategy set a precedent for later Indian Ocean empires. #CholaEmpire #Kadaram #StraitOfMalacca #RajendraCholaI #Srivijaya #Tamil #Ayyavole #TanjoreInscription #IndianOcean #NavalHistory #Kedah #Sailendra #SouthAsia #SoutheastAsia #MaritimeTrade #SpiceRoute #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo