The Chola Empire's Last Great King: Kulottunga I

After the death of Rajendra Chola I, the empire entered a turbulent century of succession wars and shrinking borders. But one king, Kulottunga I, reunified the realm and reasserted Chola power overseas. This episode traces his early life as a Chalukya prince in Vengi, his dramatic takeover of the Chola throne in 1070 CE, and his two-decade struggle against the Chalukyas of Kalyani and the growing Pandya threat. We examine how he restored the Kaveri delta's grain economy, reopened trade routes to Srivijaya and Song China, and left behind a network of Tamil merchant guilds that survived his dynasty. Kulottunga's reign is often overshadowed by Rajaraja and Rajendra, but his achievements in administration, diplomacy, and long-distance commerce were arguably more durable. We also explore his controversial relations with the powerful temple at Chidambaram, and the curious silence of his inscriptions on military defeats. Featuring the Leyden Plates, the Tirumalavadi inscriptions, and the forgotten port of Palaiyur. #KulottungaI #CholaEmpire #Vengi #Chalukya #Kaveri #IndianOceanTrade #Srivijaya #SongChina #LeydenPlates #Palaiyur #Chidambaram #Tirumalavadi #TamilMerchantGuilds #MedievalIndia #SouthAsianHistory #FexingoHistory #History #Podcast #SouthIndia #IndianOcean Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo