Not much authentic information is available about the Early CholaAs per the traditions, the Chola Country or Cholamandalam was the area bound on the North by the Pennar, South by the Vellaru River, at ..... Kingdom. The main source of its knowledge is the Sangam LiteratureThe scientific analysis of the Sangam literature says that this work was composed in 120-150 years and most of the literature was composed from 100 ...... The other sources are Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, which is a work of an anonymous merchant of Alexandria, works of Ptolemy, Mahavamsa- the Buddhist Text of Ceylon, Pillars of AsokaAshokavardhana or Asoka was governor of Taxila and Ujjain during the reign of his father Bindusara. The Sri Lankan texts represent Asoka as "wading through ....., Hathigumpha description of Kharvela- the Kalinga King and other numerous stone inscriptions found at various parts in the Southern Peninsula.
Karikala CholaThe most significant Early Chola ruler is Karikala Chola, who ruled around 270 BC and is mentioned in the Sangam Literature. The meaning of his .....
The most significant Early Chola ruler is Karikala Chola, who ruled around 270 BC and is mentioned in the Sangam Literature. The meaning of his name "Kari + Kalan" refers to "Slayer of Elephants" but also means "the one with burnt limbs". This indicates a fire accident in his early age, which left his legs charred. One of the Sangam Poems testifies this. Karikala Chola is best known for winning the famous "Battle of Venni" in which both the Pandyas and Cheras were crushed by him. The current location of Venni is near Thanjaur.The "Battle of Venni" was a turning point in his career and he was established as a firm power in the South. Some legends say that he won the whole of Ceylon Kingdom, after the Battle of Venni.
World's earliest water-regulator structure in stone at Kallanai (Grand Anicut)on River Cauvery was built by Karikala Chola. It was constructed mainly to divert the water from Cauvery River for irrigation. This dam stands as a huge mass of 329 meters (1,080 feet) long and 20 meters (60 feet) wide, across the main stream of the Cauvery and is a major tourist attraction today.
