Why is the Cholas perhaps were one of the greatest kingdoms of the south and contrary to popular belief of how India has never conquered any country or gone to war?

 Why is the Cholas perhaps were one of the greatest kingdoms of the south and contrary to popular belief of how India has never conquered any country or gone to war?

Ravi Kiran JP

Unfortunately, Indian History is not able to visualise that there exists a world beyond South of Vindhya Sathpura ranges.

Not only Chozhas, many Empires of South conquered several countries in South East Asia through sea fare at various points in history.

I recall only a few from my knowledge:

1.Chera: Chenguttuvan

2.Chozha: Raja Raja Arunmozhi Varman

3.Pallava: Narasimha Varman Vatapi Kondan

4.Vijayanagara Sangama: Prouda Devaraya

5.Pandiya: Kumara Krishnappa Naicker

Kanchi - South Indian University which united Southern Peninsula.

Madurai- Literary Gatherings. The Tamil tradition and legends link it to three literary gatherings around Madurai and Kapāṭapuram (Pandyan capitals): the first over 4,440 years, the second over 3,700 years, and the third over 1,850 years before the start of the common era.

Raja Raja Chozha is a great king who made expedition to South East Asian Countries and highly popular in Tamil History.

There are many successful South Indian Kings, which we are not aware of - Indian history is blind to it.

1.Indian Peninsula Victory over Himalaya in Sangam era:

Tamil epic Silappadikaram tells a lot about Cheran Chenguttuvans (c188–244 CE) military feats- his expedition upto Himalayan ranges defeating his enemies across the ganges and hoisting the Chera flag on Himalayan mountains in Tibet / China.

2.Spreading Hinduism in South East Asian Buddhist Nations:

Raja Raja Chozhan’s glory in 10th-11th century is brought into limelight.

But many may not be aware of subsequent expeditions of Prouda Devaraya’s (Devaraya II) in 15th century and Kumara Krishnappa Naicker’s expedition in 16th century to spread Murugan Worship in Buddhist nations.

Devaraya II conquerred Ceylon to Gulbarga and Orissa to Malabar and levied tributes on Quilon, Ceylon, Pegu, Tenesserim.(present day Sri Lanka, Myanmer and Thailand respectively).

Deva Raya II (r. 1422–1446 CE) was an emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire. The greatest of the Sangama Dynasty Virashaiva rulers, he was an able administrator, warrior, and scholar.

He is a patron to Kannada writers Chamarasa and Kumara Vyasa; Telugu poet Sri Natha; Mathematician and Astronomer Vatasserry Parameshwara Nambhoothiri; Tamil mystic Arunagiri Nathar -all lived a lavish lifestyle.

Deveraya II is the emperor who spread Murugan worship in Tamil and in South Asian Countries with the treaded path of Arunagiri Nathar of Tiruvannamalai.

Unfortunately due to subsequent weak rulers of Sangama Dynasty, Murugan worship failed to take deep roots in South East Asian countries.

Lakkanna, a commander of Deveraya II made an expedition to South and conqured Odisha, Malabar and levied tributes on Quilon, Ceylon, Pegu, Tenesserim.(present day Sri Lanka, Myanmer and Thailand respectively).

A Rule of Southern Peninsula across East to West:

Krishna Devaraya is a famous and able Emperor of Vijayanagara Empire. But the Empire reached its peak and vast during Achuta Deva Rayas regime. He is the only Emperor of recent times (16th century) who ruled entire Southern Peninsula including Ganpath or Present day Odisha.

3. Naicker Rule in Sinhala Country (Kandy today) and Tamil as a court language:

Murugan worship at Kataragama into limelight with another expedition of Kumara Krishnappa Naicker in 16th century. This time, a small polygar of Sithawaka was made as a King of Sinhala Kingdom. Madurai Naicker king made his brother in law Gopala Naidu as a Viceroy.

The Sinhala Kingdom lasted over 3 centuries, well supported by Vijayanagara Empire, Thanjavur, Madurai, Chenji Kingdoms at varios point in time. It withstood European invasions till 1815 and one of the strongest Kingdoms of Sri Lanka.

4.Kanchi is great University than Takshila and Nalanda:

In the history, whatever is destroyed wifully have been declared heritage sites.

Takshila and Nalanda are destroyed Study Centres while Kanchi / Madurai could change the fortunes of its land, and its alummis revenged invading turks, pers and eurs.

Takshila and Nalanda are in the memories brought over centuries hearsay whereas Madurai/ Kanchi have been vibrant with many temples, sects, cultures, innovations and pioneering.

If one has to exclaim contributions, it is Madurai and Kanchi or Kanchipuram in present day Tamil Nadu.