Srivijaya's Last Stand: The Chola Invasion of Kadaram

In 1025, the mighty Chola fleet from southern India launched a devastating raid on Srivijaya's capital at Kadaram (modern Kedah, Malaysia). This episode picks up where previous discussions left off, focusing on the watershed moment when the empire's invincibility was shattered. We explore Rajendra Chola's motivations, the tactical brilliance of the Chola navy, and the archaeological evidence from the Tanjore inscription that records the conquest. Lucas and Luna discuss how Srivijaya's mandala system of decentralized power both helped and hindered its response, and why the empire survived for another two centuries despite losing its prestige. Along the way, they touch on the role of the Orang Laut sea nomads and the shifting trade routes that ultimately benefited Majapahit. A nuanced look at an imperial crisis that reshaped Southeast Asia. #Srivijaya #Chola #RajendraChola #Kadaram #TanjoreInscription #OrangLaut #MaritimeSilkRoad #SoutheastAsia #IndianOceanTrade #1025 #Kedah #Navy #Mandala #Majapahit #Palembang #History #FexingoHistory #AncientEmpires Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo