Chanakya Policy & Research Foundation

When we talk about the great and vast Indian empires, we often mention the Maurya Empire, the Gupta Empire, or the Maratha Empire. However, there was another empire that, through the strength of its navy, not only dominated South India but also extended its influence over Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, Java, Lanka, Srivijaya (modern-day Indonesia), and several other Southeast Asian regions. This empire emerged as an unparalleled maritime power of its time.

This was the Chola Empire, founded by Vijayalaya Chola in 850 CE. Over time, this empire expanded its boundaries from the Ganga Valley in North India to South India and further into Southeast Asia. It was a unique blend of territorial expansion through

land warfare within India and naval supremacy that extended its rule beyond Indian shores. Thus, the Chola Empire was a powerful force both on land and at sea.

In this article, we will explore how the Cholas carved their path to becoming a great empire and, after achieving that status, immortalized their name as a formidable maritime power among the great Indian empires. We will focus on their military strategies, naval attack tactics, diplomacy, army organization, and other aspects. By studying these, we will attempt to draw lessons from this remarkable empire and understand how the policies adopted by the Cholas centuries ago continue to influence the Indian Navy and global maritime powers even today.

The first and most essential aspect is that the Chola rulers (primarily Rajaraja I and Rajendra I) recognized the sea as a potential source of empowerment for their empire. To

enhance their naval strength, they first captured Lanka, established dominance over the southern coasts of India and surrounding seas, and then began constructing large ships. These ships, built using rope, wood, and innovative tools, were designed to serve dual purposes—trade and warfare. The Cholas crafted these massive ships using around 20 different types of wood, with variations in size and design to suit different needs.

They understood that bringing prosperity, wealth, power, and development to their empire could not rely solely on expanding territories through land wars. Instead, by seizing control of coastal regions, monopolizing trade routes, and conquering states across the seas, they could achieve unparalleled glory. And this is exactly what they accomplished.

If we look at recent history, it is evident how the British leveraged their naval strength to establish dominance over vast territories, including India. Even today, nations prioritize the development of diverse naval assets such as ships, submarines, and warships to ensure the protection of their sovereignty and maritime boundaries. Strengthening naval capabilities not only safeguards a nation’s territorial integrity but also enhances its influence at sea and provides economic advantages through trade.

India, too, is following this path by modernizing and expanding its naval power. For instance, the commissioning of the INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, marks a significant milestone in naval innovation and self-reliance. Similarly, the Arihant-class nuclear submarines represent a critical step toward ensuring India’s maritime deterrence. The development of

advanced warships like INS Visakhapatnam and India’s enhanced capabilities in maritime surveillance through platforms like the P-8I Poseidon aircraft highlight how the country is not only securing its coasts but also projecting power across the Indian Ocean, strengthening its role as a regional leader in maritime security.

The second point is how the Cholas prioritized their economic interests by gaining control over critical trade routes and straits, such as the Strait of Malacca and others (e.g., the Sunda Strait and the Palk Strait). Securing these routes was not easy, as it required them to engage in wars with multiple states, but the Cholas were well aware of their strategic importance.

A prime example is their control over the Strait of Malacca and the Palk Strait. These routes were significant as merchant guilds and ships from Arabia, Europe, and Africa frequently passed through them en route to China. The Cholas sought to impose taxes on ships passing through these straits. However, they faced resistance from Lanka in the Palk Strait and the Srivijaya Empire in the Strait of Malacca. Recognizing the immense benefits of dominating these trade routes, visionary rulers like Rajaraja I and Rajendra I chose to wage wars against their adversaries. Eventually, the Cholas conquered Lanka and parts of Southeast Asia, including the Srivijaya Empire, establishing a monopoly over the Indian Ocean.

This strategic control significantly enriched their treasury, allowing the Cholas to further enhance the prosperity and grandeur of their empire through careful planning and execution.

Conflicts over trade routes continue even today. A prime example is the struggle over the Suez Canal, where powers like Britain, France, and Egypt have historically clashed, with the Suez Crisis of 1956 being a key event when Egypt nationalized the canal, leading to a military intervention by Britain, France, and Israel.

In the Indian Ocean, China and India are vying for influence, especially around strategic locations like the Malacca Strait, South China Sea, and the String of Pearls (a network of ports from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific). Both nations aim to secure control over these vital trade routes to enhance their global influence and economic power.

Every coastal nation desires control over the trade routes in its area to benefit from taxes and revenue. India, too, is actively strengthening its naval capabilities to secure these interests. For example, the Indian Navy’s Project 75 involves the construction of Scorpène-class submarines, enhancing India’s underwater capabilities. Additionally, India’s growing presence in the Chabahar Port in Iran strengthens its influence in the Persian Gulf and connects to Central Asia, providing access to strategic maritime routes. The Andaman and Nicobar Command, which combines India’s naval, air, and army forces, plays a vital role in securing key passages in the Bay of Bengal and Malacca Strait, further asserting India’s dominance in regional waters. These measures highlight India’s commitment to safeguarding its maritime interests and securing trade routes in the Indian Ocean.

The third point is how the Cholas used culture and religion as soft power to make the people of the regions they conquered

identify with the Chola Empire and align themselves with its authority. The Cholas sought to integrate the local populations with their culture, which included the promotion of Hinduism, as part of their strategy to connect with the people. This was not only an attempt to foster unity but also to ensure loyalty, as cultural unification often led to allegiance. By doing so, the Cholas were able to establish a strong influence and hegemony in the world order.

Even today, we can observe the Chola cultural impact in Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka. For example, the Shiva worship and temple architecture that originated in the Chola Empire are still visible in places like the Prambanan Temple in Indonesia, which reflects Chola-style Hindu temple architecture. In Cambodia, the influence of Chola art and Hindu culture can be seen in the Angkor Wat temple complex, which was inspired by the Chola architectural style. These cultural imprints are a testament to the lasting legacy of the Chola Empire.

Later, other powers like Britain also established English worldwide as a means to extend their cultural influence. This was a strategic use of soft power, spreading their language and values to shape global discourse. Similar strategies have been used by various countries, for example The United States has used Hollywood and its entertainment industry to promote American culture globally, thus gaining significant cultural influence. And Japan has used its pop culture, especially through anime, manga, and technology, to expand its global influence and build soft power.

India, too, is advancing its cultural influence by promoting practices like Yoga and the Shreemad Bhagavad Gita on the global stage. Another example is Bollywood, which has gained worldwide recognition, fostering India’s cultural presence in international markets and strengthening its soft power.

Moreover, we saw how Rajaraja I advanced maritime navigation by incorporating astronomy and other techniques. Particularly, he granted tax exemptions to Brahmins who had expertise in astronomy and the study of constellations. These individuals played a crucial role in helping the Chola navy navigate across various countries. Rajaraja I also established new colleges dedicated to teaching astronomy, which were located in key cities of his empire, such as Madurai, Tanjavur, and Trichirapalli. Understanding the importance of navigation proved to be highly beneficial for the Chola Empire, as it enhanced their control over maritime trade routes and strengthened their naval power.

Navigation remains as vital today as it was in

the past. India has made significant strides in this area, especially with its growing satellite capabilities. One notable example is the GSAT-30 satellite, launched in 2020, which has strengthened India’s communication and navigation systems, playing a crucial role in maritime security and weather forecasting. Additionally, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has successfully deployed satellites for maritime surveillance, further boosting India’s navigation infrastructure.

India’s radar systems are also improving. The Indigenous Radar Systems developed by the Indian Navy enhance coastal surveillance, helping detect potential threats in real time. Moreover, The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) supports the identification of natural disasters and maritime risks, ensuring better preparedness for emergencies.

In line with this, India’s Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) initiatives are helping improve security along the coastline. With these advancements, India is not just focusing on navigating the seas but is also becoming more adept at predicting and responding to challenges, whether they come from nature or potential adversaries.

Also, the Cholas understood the importance of establishing and maintaining diplomatic relations with various maritime powers around the world, as well as facilitating foreign traders arriving in their territories. They realized the significance of developing strong ports, which could serve both commercial and military purposes. The Cholas advanced port cities such as Poompuhar, Nagapattinam, and Kaveripattinam, making trade smoother while also ensuring that large warships could be accommodated in times of conflict.

Additionally, the presence of Chola emissaries in countries like Thailand and China indicates that they were mindful of the balance of power in the region. Furthermore, the Cholas ensured the safety of foreign guilds and traders within their domain, offering them certain tax exemptions to promote trade and, consequently, increase the prosperity of the Chola Empire.

In today’s time, India is also constructing strong and prosperous ports, such as Mundra Port (Gujarat) and Vijayawada Port (Andhra Pradesh), which are important both for trade and strategic purposes.

In the contemporary context, examining the Chola Empire and its activities reveals how China, much like the Srivijaya Empire of the past, is attempting to disrupt India’s maritime control, trade routes, and naval relationships with other nations. Whether it is China’s claims over and control of the South China Sea or its growing activities in the Bay of Bengal, Beijing is striving to dominate maritime trade in the Indian Ocean. From India’s perspective, we can learn a great deal from the strategies of the Chola Empire and adapt them to modern times, a vision that the government seems to partially implement.

For example, India’s Act East Policy aims to enhance India’s influence in Southeast Asian nations like Indonesia and Malaysia. This policy has proven effective in establishing strong relationships with these nations and formulating mutually beneficial maritime strategies based on cooperation. As we observed earlier, Chola rulers, too, used their influence and alliances with various Southeast Asian countries to control trade.

Through initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), India is working to establish strong ties with smaller coastal nations by extending aid during crises and building goodwill. This strategy aims to counter China’s efforts to encircle India through projects like the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka and the Gwadar Port in Pakistan. It also seeks to unify coastal states into a united front against Chinese expansion.

China, on the other hand, has increased its influence in the Indian Ocean by establishing the Djibouti base. In response, India has strengthened its defense by building a robust military base in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A similar approach was seen during the Chola Empire, where ports like Kaveripattinam were fortified for military purposes.

Major powers like the United States and Japan also aim to maintain their influence in the Indian Ocean and its trade routes. Considering this, India has joined alliances like QUAD to maintain a balance of power against China. The importance of such alliances can be traced back to the Chola history, where King Rajendra Chola I, in collaboration with other Southeast Asian nations, defeated the Srivijaya Empire and maintained a balance of power against China.

The Chola Empire still instills a sense of pride in India, reminding us that we were once a great maritime power and shall remain so. The Chola Empire is a symbol of immense valor, diplomacy, innovation, agility, and a deep understanding of the significance of the sea, with an unwavering passion to conquer it. It is a source of India’s glory, as it was the first maritime power created by India. Even today, we can understand and learn many valuable lessons from the Chola tactics and their methods.

Bibliography

1. K.A. Nilakanta Sastry, The Colas , University of Madras, Madras, 1984.

2. H.B. Sarkar, Trade and Commercial Activities of Southern India in the Malayo-Indonesian World, Up to A.D. 1511,  Firma KLM Private Limited, Calcutta , 1986.

3. Moti Chandra, Trade and Routes in Ancient India, Abhinav Publications, 1977.

4. George W Spencer, The Politics of Expansion – The Chola Conquest of Sri Lanka and Sri Vijaya, New Era Publications, Madras, 1983.

5. K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, The Shipping Technology of Cholas, in “Proceeding volume of the Twenty seventh Annual session”, of South Indian History Congress-2007, Rajus College, Rajapalayam, January 2008,  pp.326-345.

6. Sen T (1995). Maritime Relations between China and Cola Kingdom (850-1279) in

“Mariners, Merchants and Oceans: Studies in Maritime History” by KS Mathew, Manohar Publications, New Delhi

7. Dafny, A., & Kumari, H. S. (2022). The Cholas Maritime Activities. Neuroquantology, 20(19), Article nq99479. https://doi.org/10.48047/nq.2022.20.19.nq99479

8. Times of India. (2022, September 14). How did the Cholas conquer the seas? Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/how-did-the-cholas-conquer-the-seas/articleshow/94120921.cms