General Information (Ariyalur District/அரியலூர் மாவட்டம்)

General Information (Ariyalur District/அரியலூர் மாவட்டம்)

Area	1949.31 Sq.KM
Population	695524
Revenue Divisions	1.Ariyalur,2.Udiyarpalayam
Taluk	1. Ariyalur,2. Sendurai,3. Jayankondam
Revenue Villages	195
Blocks	1. Ariyalur,2. Andimadam,3. Sendurai,4. Thirumanur,5. T.Palur,6. Jayankondam
District Collector	Thiru T. Abraham, IAS
Superintendent of Police	Thiru Najmul hoda, IPS
Poice Stations	18
Municipalities	1.Ariyalur,2.Jayankondam
Municipality Chairman	S. Vijayalakshmi(Ariyalur)
Municipality Wards	18
STD Code	04329
Vehicle Registration number	TN 61
Postal Code	621704(Main),621713(RajajiNagar)
Member of Parliament	Thiru Thol. Thirumavalavan ,Chidambaram(SC) VCK
Members of Legislative Assembly	Thiru D. Amaramoorthy ,Ariyalur (INC) Thiru K. Rajendran ,Jayankondam (AIADMK) Thiru S. Sivasankar ,Andimadam (DMK)

Geography

Ariyalur is one of the districts in Tamil Nadu state. It is rich in limestone resources. Big industrial houses like Birlas (Grasim Industries), India cements, Dalmia cements, Madras cements have their cement units here. Tamil Nadu government's TANCEM factory is in Ariyalur. Elakurichi is an important tourist place.

District Profile

Ariyalur district came into existence by bifurcating Perambalur as per G.O.Ms.No.683 Revenue RA1(1) Department dated 19.11.07. It is bounded on the North by Cuddalore, South by Thanjavur, East by Cuddalore and Thanjavur and West by Perambalur and Tiruchirapalli districts. The new Ariyalur district is functioning from 23.11.2007

Ariyalur district consists of 2 divisions viz., Ariyalur and Udayarpalayam, three Taluks viz., Ariyalur, Udayarpalayam and Sendurai and six blocks.

Ariyalur Municipality

The Ariyalur Town Panchayat was functioned as Second Grade Town Panchayat from 21.12.1943, then First Grade Town Panchayat from 01.01.1955 and the Selection grade Town Panchayat form 01.04.1966. The extent of Town Panchayat is 7.62 sq kilo meter and strength of Population according to the senses of 2001th year is 27822. In this Town Panchayat there are 18 wards by division, and for which one President and 18 members have been elected by public

History

In 1741 the Marathas invaded Tiruchirappalli and took Chanda Saheb as captive. Chanda Saheb succeeded in securing freedom in 1748 and soon got involved in famous war for the Nawabs place in the Carnatic against Anwardeen, the Nawab of Arcot and his son Mohammed Ali.

Mohammed Ali annexed the two palayams of Ariyalur and Udayarpalayam located with troops were in the Ariyalur district on the grounds of default in payment of Tributes and failure to assist him in quelling the rebellion of Yusuf Khan. In November 1764, Mohammed Ali represented the issue to Madras Council and obtained military assistance on 3 January 1765. The forces led by Umdat-Ul-Umara and Donald Campbell entered Ariyalur and captured it. The young Poligar together with his followers there upon fled to Udayarpalayam. On the 19th January the army marched upon Udayarpalayam. The Poligar’s troops were defeated and the playams were occupied. The two poligars fled their town and took refuge in Tharangampadi, then a Danish Settlement. The annexation of the palayam gave the Navab un-interrupted possession of all his territories extending Arcot to Tiruchirapalli.

The history followed was a power struggle between Hyder Ali and later Thippu Sultan with the British. After the death of Thippu Sultan the English took the civil and military Administration of the Carnatic in 1801. Thus Tiruchirappalli came in to the hands of the English and the District was formed in 1801. In 1995 Tiruchirappalli was trifurcated and the Perambalur and Karur districts were formed. Perambalur district was divided into Perambalur and Ariyalur district in the year 2001 and merged with Perambalur in the year 2002. Then now the district is bifurcated from Perambalur and now functioning from 23.11.2007.

Overview

Ariyalur town has several features make that it famous like Kallankurichi Kalliya perumal temple, a historical place. It is known its cement factories (arasu cements). It has several good schools, including Arasunagar Matriculation Higher Secondary School and Montfort school. Ariyalur Govt.Hr.Sec.School is one of the ancient schools in Tamil Nadu. Ariyalur government arts college is number one of the Best colleges in Tamil Nadu.

It also called as Cement city. Arasu cement factory is Asia's second largest cement factory. A famous fosil tree is present in this district. (palaniy alu oct2008)

The villages of Thirukkalappur and Puthukottai Girama panchayat is 100% literate. There are more than 100 teachers from those villages. In Puthukottai village, St.Annuncia Mary (Mangalamatha church) church festival is famous in Tamil Nadu (from arockiasamy Apr'2002).

Ariyalur is also known for Fossils.

Physical Features

As per 2001 census, the total population of Ariyalur District is 695,524, with male 346763 and female 348761. Ariyalur District is centrally located in Tamil Nadu and is 265 K.M. away in southern direction from Chennai. The District has an area of 1949 km².

It is an inland district without coastal line. The District has Vellar River in the North and Kollidam River in the South and it has no well marked natural divisions.

The district is fairly rich in mineral deposits. Celeste, Lime Stone, Shale, sand Stone, canker and Phosphate nodules occur at various places in the district.

Industries

Five major Cement factories in the district reveals the abundant deposit of limestone. The availability of Lignite at Jayankondam and near by places is a gift by Mother Nature. The Fossil is said to have been a national asset according to Geologists.

Agriculture

Sugar cane is grown as a major commercial crop. One private sugar factory near keelapalur is functioning in the district with a capacity of crushing 3000 Tonnes per day. One of the main crop in Ariyalur district is cashew. The pre-dominate soil in the district is red sanding with scattered packers of black soil. The soil in the district is best suited for raising dry crops. The district has a high means of temperature and low degree of humidity.

Temperature

The maximum temperature during summer is between 33°c - 40°c.

The Cement City

Ariyalur is famous for its cement industries in and around it. This is possible due to its immense limestone store which is the potential raw material for cement industries. In particular the Arasu cements, the Birla cements, the Sakthi cements, the Dalmia cements, the Ramco cements, etc. are situated in Ariyalur. So Ariyalur is one of the busiest transport cities.

Demographics

As of the 2001 India census, constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Ariyalur has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 55% of the males and 45% of females literate. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. It is the smallest district in Tamil Nadu.

Cement manufacture is one of the feature of this town.

Tourism

Gangaikondacholapuram

Rajendra Chola-I (1012-1044 A.D) son of the Great Rajaraja-I, established this temple after his great victorious march to river Ganges on Northern India. He was originally called Madurantakan. He assumed the title of Rajendra during his coronation and continued to rule along with his father Rajaraja-I for a while. He achieved the supreme title of Cholas called Parakesari .

His empire extended the whole of southern India to river Thungabathra in the north India, for administrative and strategic purpose he built another capital and named Gangaikondacholapuram. The Gangaikondacholapuram temple, he constructed consists of 3 stories and surrounded by a huge fort like wall, the outer wall was greatly destructed during the English rule (1896 A.D) to reuse the building material (Granite rocks) for constructing the Lower Anicut (Dam across river Kollidam). He built around 10 temples at various places.

He assumed the title of Gangaikonda Cholan and named his new capital as Gangaikondacholapuram and he also constructed a huge Lake known as Chola Gangam that spreads 22 km mainly used for drinking and irrigation. A statue of Rajendra-I is found in Kolaram temple at Kolar of Karnataka state in India.

Sri Kaliuga Varatharaja Perumaal Temple

Sri Kaliyaperumal temple is a major attraction of Ariyalur. It is situated at 5 km away from Ariyalur. This temple is famous for its "Car festival" (March/April) which is conducted yearly. The people of Ariyalur celebrate the festival grandly.

The temple is also famous for the Puraittasi Saturdays. Every year in the month of 'Puraittasi' (September), special Pujas, 'Arathanai', 'Abishekams', etc are done on the four Saturdays. This also is a major attraction of the Kaliyaperumal temple.

Thirumazhapadi

Once it was the region of Chola's dynasty. The place Thirumazhapadi is situated on the bank of Kollidam river which is a branch of Cauvery River. Entire surroundings are filled with paddy and sugar cane fields. The famous Siva Temple is located in Thirumazhapadi. This Temple is called Sri Vaithiyanatha Samy Koil.It also has a statue of Thiruvalluvar.One of the touriest place in ariyalur.This temple is famous for its "nandikesvarar thirukalyanam " (March/April) which is conducted yearly. The people of thirumalapadi celebrate the festival grandly.

Vettakudi - Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary

Vettakudi - Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary situated in Ariyalur District, 65 km away from Tiruchirappalli and 35 km north of Thanjavur, this bird sanctuary sprawls over 454 Ha. of area. Water birds congregate here during November - February. About 50 species of resident and migratory birds are recorded here. The list includes varieties of Stork, Pelicans, Heron, Darter, Ibis, Egrets, Coot, Terns, Cormorants, King Fisher, Plovers etc.

Important Offices

• District Collector Office,Collectorate & Multi Departmental Complex, Jayankondam Road,
• District Police Office,Opp To Busstand
• Regional Transport Office,Kallankurichi
• RDO Office,Opp To Busstand
• Taluk Office,Opp To Busstand
• DSP office,Jayankondam Road

Hospitals

• Government Hospital,Perambalur Road 224050,222066
• Joesph Eye Hospital,Near to Busstand 222170
• A.S. Nourishing Home,Trichy Road & Pattunoolkara st 222425
• Nivetha Clinic,Perumal Kovil st 222423
• Golden Hospital,Sendurai Road 222530
• Ezhil Hospital,M.P kovil st 222630

Education

Engineering Colleges

• Anna University Tiruchirappalli - Ariyalur Campus Ph: 04329 - 220303/220304.
• Meenakshi Ramaswamy Engineering College ,Thathanur,Ariyalur Dist.Phone : 04331245802.
• K.K.C. College of Engineering and Technology,Jayamkondam - 621 802. phone: 94433 85822.

Arts and Science Colleges

• Govt Arts & Science College,Ariyalur.
• Meenaakshi Ramasamy Arts & Science College,Thathanur.
• K.K.C Arts & science College,Jayankondam.
• Moderen Arts & science College,Jayankondam.

Schools in Town

• Govt. Higher Secondary School
• Arasu Nagar Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• C.S.I & SPG School
• Neduchaliyan Nursery School
• Dharani Matriculation School
• Monfort Matriculation School
• Nirmala Girl’s Higher Secondary School
• Sri Ramakrishna Matriculation School
• RC. Nirmala Gandthi School
• R.C.School

[edit] Spoken English and personality development

• Hi-Style Spoken English,Market St, Ph:98438 69695

Industry

Cement Industry

• Arasu Cements --3 km away
• Bilra Cements(Grasim) --12 km away
• Chettinad Cements --10 km away
• Dalmia Cement --7 km away
• Madras Cements(Ramco)--5 km away
• Dalmia Cement,Dalmiapuram --24 km away
• JPR cements --5 km away

Sugar Mill

• Kothari Sugars And Chemicals Ltd,Sathamangalam(16kms away)

Banks & ATMs

• State Bank of India,Trichy Main Road.(ATM)
• Indian Overseas Bank(ATM)
• Canara Bank,Perambalur Road(ATM)
• Indian Bank,Perambalur Road(ATM)
• ICICI Bank,Perambalur Road(1.ATM With Bank)(2.ATM Near BusStand)
• Lakhsmi Vilas Bank,Sendurai Road(ATM)
• Cityunion Bank,Chinnakadi street(ATM)
• Repco Bank,Perambalur Road
• Central Bank of india,Trichy Main Road
• Tiruchirappalli District Central Co-operative Bank,Rajaji Nagar
• Co-operative Urban Bank,Perumal Kovil Steet
• Land Development Bank
• Muthoot Finance LTD, Perambalur Road
• Kumbakonam Parspara Sagaya Nithi Ltd,Kailasanathar kovil st.
• SriRam Chits,Perumal Kovil st,
• State Bank of India(Grasim),V.Kaikatti(Reddipalayam)(ATM)
• Lakhsmi Vilas Bank,V.Kaikatti(Reddipalayam)(ATM)

Gangaikonda Cholapuram

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Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Gangaikonda Cholapuram (Tamil: கங்கைக்கொண்ட சோழபுரம்) was erected as the capital of the Cholas by Rajendra Chola I, the son and successor of Rajaraja Chola, the great Chola who conquered a large area in South India at the beginning of the 11th century C.E. It occupies an important place in the history of India. As the capital of the Cholas from about 1025 C.E. for about 250 years, the city controlled the affairs of entire south India, from the Tungabhadra in the north to Ceylon in the south. The great temple of Siva at this place is next only to the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur in its monumental nature and surpasses it in sculptural quality.

Contents [hide] 1 Finding the City 2 Chola Dravidian Culture 3 Fortifications 4 The Chola Administration 5 Architecture 6 Royal Palace 7 Expedition to the Ganges 8 Overseas conquests 9 Roads and City gates 10 City layout 11 Destruction of the city 12 References 13 External links

Finding the City

Stone sculpture of Parvati at the temple

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The city was founded by Rajendra Chola to commemorate his victorious march to the Ganges. The name means The town of the chola who captured the Ganges. It is now a small village, its past eminence only remembered by the existence of the great Siva Temple.

Rajendra Chola-I (1012-1044 A.D) son of the Great Rajaraja-I, established this temple after his great victorious march to river Ganges on Northern India. He was originally called Madurantakan. He assumed the title of Rajendra during his coronation and continued to rule along with his father Rajaraja-I for a while. He achieved the supreme title of Cholas called Parakesari .

Rajendra-I, a great warrior and assisted his father, is numerous expeditions to elevate the Cholas to supreme power. The various expeditions, he conducted, were : Gangetic expedition, eastern/western Chalukyas, war against Cheras/Pandyas, Ceylon expedition, Kadaram (currently called as Burma) expedition etc.,

His empire extended the whole of southern India to river Thungabathra in the north India, for administrative and strategic purpose he built another capital and named Gangaikondacholapuram. The Gangaikondacholapuram temple, he constructed consists of 3 stories and surrounded by a huge fort like wall, the outer wall was greatly destructed during the English rule (1896 A.D) to reuse the building material (Granite rocks) for constructing the Lower Anicut (Dam across river Kollidam). He built around 10 temples at various places.

He assumed the title of Gangaikonda Cholan and named his new capital as Gangaikondacholapuram and he also constructed a huge Lake known as Chola Gangam that spreads 22 km mainly used for drinking and irrigation. A statue of Rajendra-I is found in Kolaram temple at Kolar of Karnataka state in India.

C. 1022 C.E. Rajendra undertook an expedition to the Ganges along the east coast of peninsular India. The emperor himself accompanying the army up to the banks of the Godavari river. The Chola armies conquered all the countries north of Vengi, which included Kalinga, Odda, Southern Kosala, the lower and upper Lada and finally the Vangaladesa (Bengal). The triumphant Chola armies brought back waters from the river Ganges in golden vessels. Around the same time, the Cholas under the illustrious Rajendra Chola I also vanquished the Chalukyas of Manyakheta when the Chola protectorate of Vengi was threatened by Chalukyas Jayasimha II. Rajendra Chola I defeated Jayasimha-II Chalukya at Maski (Muyangi in Chola anals) between Eluru and Visayavadai (modern Vijayawada) and subsequently engaged the Chalukya in Kannada country itself i.e. in the Chalukyan capital of Mannaikadakkam (Manyakheta) "the war in which the Chalukya Jayasimha-II, full of fear, hid like a mouse and fleed the battlefield" (***). In scoring victories such as these, when the Chola armies seized the Chalukya flag, decapitated or slew various generals of the Chalukyas, with the Chalukyan king fleeing the battlefield, surrendering his wife to the victorious Chola monarch, with the Chola coffers filling up with riches from the Chalukya country, thus establishing their hold of the region between the Vaigai/Kaveri delta in Tamil country up to the Tungabhadra-Krishna basins in the Maharashtra-Andhra region (***) To commemorate this celebrated victory, Rajendra assumed the title of Gangaikonda Cholan, "Irattapadi-konda Cholan", "Mannai-kondan" (the king who possessed Irattapadi (erstwhile land of the Rashtrakutas usurped by the Salukkis (Chalukyas) and the king who possessed (the Chalukyan capital) Manyakheta (Mannaikadakkam in Chola annals) and had the Siva Temple Gangakkondacholeswaram built(***). Soon after the capital was moved from Thanjavur to Gangaikondacholapuram. The city of Gangaikondacholapuram was probably founded by Rajendra before his 17th year.

Most of the Chola kings who succeeded Rajendra were crowned here. They retained it as their capital, reoriented and trained the efficient Chola army.

Chola Dravidian Culture

Chola rulers were active patrons of the during their regions architectures,education, science, arts, ship construction, poetry, drama, music, ,business trading,dance and lost wax technique are flourished. The beautiful Nataraja figure was first conceived during the Chola empire. They also constructed enormous stone temple complexes decorated inside and out with painted. While the stone sculptures and the inner sanctum image empowering the temple remained immovable, changing religious concepts during the 10th century demanded that the deities take part in a variety of public roles similar to those of a human monarch. As a result, large bronze images were created to be carried outside the temple to participate in daily rituals, processions, and temple festivals. The round lugs and holes found on the bases of many of these sculptures are for the poles that were used to carry the heavy images. Admired for the sensuous depiction of the figure and the detailed treatment of their clothing and jewelry, Chola-period bronzes.

Fortifications

The temple is a carefully planned architecture

Judging from the available literature and the remains we may conclude that it was an extensive city, carefully planned and laid in accordance with the architectural treatises to suit the needs of a capital.

The city seems to have had two fortifications, one inner and the other outer. The outer was probably wider. The remains of the outer fortification can be seen as a mound running all around the palace.

The outer fortification built of burnt bricks, was about six to eight feet wide. It consisted of two walls, the intervening space (the core) being filled with sand. The bricks are fairly large in size and are made of well-burnt clay. Systematic brick robbing by the local inhabitants has reduced this structure to its current state.

The outer fortification was known as Rajendra Chola Madil and is mentioned in inscriptions. The inner fortification was around the royal palace, probably identical with the Utpadi vittu madil of the inscriptions.

Probably in the reign of Kulothunga Chola I, the fortifications were renewed and the city underwent some alteration and additions. An epigraph refers to the fort wall of Kulothunga Chola (Kulottunga Cholan Thirumadil). The strengthening of the fortification and additions to the city in the reign of Kulothunga I were probably necessitated by the uprising which led to the murder of Chola king Athirajendra Chola, Kulothunga's predecessor.

By the 13th century, the Chola kingdom had exhausted its resources and was on the decline. It succumbed to an attack by the Hoysalas from the west and the Pandyas from the south. The last king of the Medieval Cholas was Rajendra Chola-III.

The Chola Administration

The Chola administration served as a model for all the other kingdoms of the South. The king had a council of ministers. The kingdom was divided into a number of provinces known as mandalams, The mandalams in turn were divided into valanadu and nadus. The next administrative sub divisions were kurrams and kottams. The special feature of the Chola administration was the Local Self Government or the autonomous administration. The villagers themselves carried out village administration. It was more or less like the modern Panchayat Raj. Each village had a village assembly known as the ur or the sabha. The members of the sabha were elected by lot, known as kudavolai system. There was a committee to look after the specified departments, such as justice, law and order, irrigation etc., which were called as variyams.

Architecture

lion-well (simhakeni)

The temple of Gangaikondacholisvara is approached through the northern entrance from the road. The passage passes through the enclosure wall and leads on to the inner court.

As one steps in, the great Vimana arrests the visitor's sight. The Vimana with its recessed corners and upward movement presents a striking contrast to the straight-sided pyramidal tower of Thanjavur. As it rises to a height of 160 feet (49 m) and is shorter than the Thanjavur tower, it is often described as the feminine counterpart of the Thanjavur temple.

The Vimana is flanked on either side by small temples; the one in the north now housing the Goddess is fairly well preserved. The small shire of Chandikesvara is near the steps in the north. In the north-east are a shire housing Durga, a well called lion-well (simhakeni) with a lion figure guarding its steps and a late mandapa housing the office. Nandi is in the east facing the main shrine. In the same direction is the ruined gopura, the entrance tower. The main tower surrounded by little shrines truly presents the appearance of a great Chakravarti (emperor) surrounded by chieftains and vassals. The Gangaikondacholapuram Vimana is undoubtedly a devalaya chakravarti, an emperor among temples of South India.

Royal Palace

Remains of Royal Palace as of 2005

The royal palace also was built of burnt brick. The ceilings were covered with flat tiles of small size, laid in a number of courses, in fine lime mortar. The pillars were probably made of polished wood, supported on granite bases; a few pillar bases have survived to this day. Iron nails and clamps have been recovered from this palace site.

In the reign of Virarajendra Chola, Rajendra's third son, the palace at Gangaikondacholapuram is referred to as Chola-Keralan Thirumaligai (Chola Keralan palace) evidently after one of the titles of Rajendra I. The same inscription mentions a few parts of the palace as adibhumi (the ground floor), Kilaisopana (the eastern portico), and a seat named Mavali vanadhirajan. Evidently the palace was multistoried. In an inscription dated in the 49th year of Kulothunga I (1119 C.E.) reference is made to Gangaikondacholamaligai at this place. It is likely that there were more than one royals building each having their own name. and thus it was splendid site

Chola Histgory

Expedition to the Ganges

With both the Western and Eastern Chalukya fronts subdued, Rajendra’s armies undertook an extraordinary expedition. C. 1019 CE Rajendra’s forces continued to march through Kalinga Kalinga (India).

Kalinga was a kingdom in central-eastern India, which comprised most of the modern state of Orissa, as well as some northern areas of the bordering state of Andhra Pradesh to the river Ganges. The Emperor himself advanced up to the river Godavari Godavari River

This article is about the river Godavari in India. For other uses, see Godavari The Godavari is a river that runs from western to south India and is considered to be one of big river basins in India to protect the rear of the expeditionary force. The Chola army eventually reach the Pala.The word Pala can refer to many different things: kingdom of Bengal where they met Mahipala. I is considered the second founder of the Pala Empire dynasty. Gopala I established the dynastic rule of the Palas in the middle of the 8th century C.E and defeated him.

According to the Tiruvalangadu Plates, the campaign lasted less than two years in which many kingdoms of the north felt the might of the Chola army. The inscriptions further claim that Rajendra defeated the armies of Ranasura and entered the land of Dharmapala and subdued him and thereby he reached the Ganges and caused the water river to be brought by the conquered kings’ back to the Chola country. The new conquests opened up new roots for the Cholas to head for distant lands like Burma by land (through what are now modern Orissa, West Bengal, Assam and Bangladesh).

It is true that Rajendra's army defeated the kings of Sakkarakottam and Dhandabhukti and Mahipala. These territories were initially added to the kingdom, while later they had the status of tribute paying subordinates and trade partners with the Chola Kingdom, an arrangement that lasted till the times of Kulothunga-III and to a limited extent, of Raja Raja-III too. It was undoubtedly an exhibition of the power and might of the Chola empire to the northern kingdoms. But the benevolent leadership of the Cholas treated them in a benevolent manner and did not permanently annexe them to the Chola dominions.

Overseas conquests

Before the fourteenth year of Rajendra’s reign c. 1025, the Chola Navy crossed the ocean and attacked the Srivijaya kingdom of Sangrama Vijayatungavarman. Kadaram, the capital of the powerful maritime kingdom, was sacked and the king taken captive. Along with Kadaram, Pannai in present day Sumatra and Malaiyur in the Malayan Peninsula

The Malay Peninsula or Thai-Malay Peninsula is a major peninsula located in Southeast Asia. It is also known as the Kra Peninsula and runs approximately north-south through the Kra Isthmus peninsula were attacked. Kedah (now in modern Malaysia) too was occupied.

Sangarama Vijayatungavarman was the son of Mara Vijayatungavarman of the Sailendra dynasty. Srivijaya kingdom was located near Palembang.Palembang is a city of 1,286,000 in the south of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It is the capital of the Provinces of Indonesia of South Sumatra and its metropolitan area includes more than 1,730,000 people in Sumatra.

There are no records to explain the nature of and the reason for this naval expedition. The Sailendra dynasty had been in good relations with the Chola Empire during the period of Rajaraja Chola I. Rajaraja encouraged Mara Vijayatungavarman to build the Chudamani Vihara at Nagapattinam. Rajendra confirmed this grant in the Anaimangalam grants showing that the relationship with Srivijaya was still continued be friendly. The exact cause of the quarrel that caused the naval war between Cholas and Srivijaya remains unknown.

The Cholas had an active trade relationship with the eastern island. Moreover the Srivijaya kingdom and the South Indian empires were the intermediaries in the trade between China.China is a Culture of China, an ancient civilization, and, depending on perspective, a national or multinational entity extending over a large area in East Asia and the countries of the Western world. Both the Srivijaya and Cholas had active dialog with the Chinese and sent diplomatic missions to China.

The Chinese records of the Song Dynasty Song Dynasty.The Song Dynasty was a ruling Chinese dynasty in China between 960–1279 AD; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty show that first mission to China from Chu-lien (Chola) reached that country in 1015 C.E. and the king of their country was Lo-ts’a-lo-ts’a (Rajaraja). Another embassy from Shi-lo-cha Yin-to-loChu-lo (Sri Raja Indra Chola) reached China in 1033 C.E. and a third in 1077 C.E. during Kulothunga Chola I Kulothunga Chola reigned from 1070 until 1120 C.E. over the vast Chola Empire. The commercial intercourse between Cholas and the Chinese were continuous and extensive. Rajendra Coin.

One reason could be a trade dispute stemming from some attempts by Srivijaya to throw some obstacle between the flourishing trade between China and the Cholas. Whatever the actual cause of this expedition, it is difficult to believe that, even if we take all the achievements narrated in Rajendra’s inscriptions are accepted as literally true, the campaign led to any permanent territories rather than a vague acceptance of the Chola suzerainty by Srivijaya. Sangaram Vijayatungavarman was restored to the throne at his agreement to pay periodic tribute to Rajendra.

Tanjavur inscriptions also state that the king of Kambhoja (Kampuchea) requesting Rajendra’s help in defeating enemies of his Angkor.Angkor is a name conventionally applied to the region of Cambodia serving as the seat of the Khmer empire that flourished from approximately the ninth century to the fifteenth century A.D kingdom.

Roads and City gates

Excavated Ancient Items

Besides the names of the palace and fort walls, the names of a few roads and streets are preserved in the epigraphs. The entryways named Thiruvasal, the eastern gate and the Vembugudi gate, evidently the south gate leading to the village Vembugudi situated in that direction are mentioned. Reference is also found to highways named after Rajaraja and Rajendra as Rajarajan Peruvali and Rajendran Peruvali. Other streets mentioned in epigraphs are the ten streets (Pattu teru), the gateway lane (Thiruvasal Narasam) and the Suddhamali lane. The inscription also refers to the highways, Kulottungacholan Thirumadil peruvali, Vilangudaiyan Peruvali and Kulaiyanai pona Peruvali (the highway through which a short elephant passed by))

City layout

The epigraphs also refer to the Madhurantaka Vadavaru, now called the Vadavaru, running about six kilometers east of the ruined capital. Madhurantaka Vedavaru, named after one of the titles of Rajendra I, was a source of irrigation to a vast stretch of land bordering the capital. An irrigation channel called Anaivettuvan (destroyer of elephants) is also mentioned.

There were both wet and dry lands inside the Fort, used for cultivation and other purposes. The present positions of the existing temples throw some light on the lay out of the city. With the palace as the centre to the city, the great temple, and the other temples in the city seem to have been erected. Towards the northeast (Isanya) of the palace is the great temple of Siva. The Siva temple according to Vastu and traditional texts should be in the northeast of the city or village and should face east. The temple of Vishnu should be in the west.

A number of small tanks and ponds mentioned in inscriptions and a number of wells, supplied drinking water to the residents.

Destruction of the city

This capital of the most powerful empire in Asia at one time is now desolate; only the temple of Gangaikondachola survives.

What caused the destruction of this city? The Pandyas who put an end to the Chola empire late in the 13th century, avenging their earlier defeats, should have razed the city to the ground, a misfortune that befell on capitals in early times. It should have remained a heap of brick debris, the inhabitants of the nearby villages pilfering the bricks for their constructions. The people have also dug systematically deep into the ground and extracted cartloads of ancient bricks.

The emblem of the Chola empire was the tiger, which was featured on the Chola flag, coins and in other contexts of political significance.

List of Medieval Chola Kings

Name of King	Reign Period	Son of	Capital
Vijayalaya Chola	848-881	Is not available	Thanjavur
Athiththa Chola	871-907	Vijayalya Chola	Thanjavur
Paranthaha Chola-I	907-955	Athiththa Chola	Thanjavur
Kandarathiththa Chola	950-957	2nd Son of Paranthaha Chola-I	Thanjavur
Arinchchaya Chola	956-957	3rd Son of Paranthaha Chola-I	Thanjavur
Paranthaha Chola-II	957-970	Arinchchaya Chola	Thanjavur
Uththama CholaUththama Cholan ruled Tamil Nadu from 973 to 985. He came to power after Aditya Karikalan, the eldest son of Paranthaga Cholan was assassinated in Kadambur. The people wanted to give the throne to Rajaraja Cholan but at the time of swearing-in ceremony, Ra	973-985	Kandarathiththa Chola	Thanjavur
Rajaraja Chola-I	985-1014	Paranthaha Chola-II	Thanjavur
Rajendra Chola-I	1012-1044	Rajaraja Chola-I	Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Rajadhiraja Chola-I	1018-1054	Eldest Son of Rajendra Chola-I	Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Rajendra Chola-II	1051-1063	2nd Son of Rajendra Chola-I	Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Virarajendra Chola	1063-1070	Rajendra Chola-I	Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Athirajendra Chola	1067-1070	Virarajendra Chola	Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Kulothunga Chola-I	1070-1120	Son of the daughter of Rajendra Chola-I	Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Vikkrama Chola	1118-1135	Kulothunga Chola-I	Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Kulothunga Chola-II	1133-1150	Vikkrama Chola	Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Rajaraja Chola-II	1146-1163	Kulothunga Chola-II	Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Rajadiraja Chola-II	1163-1178	Cousin of Rajaraja Chola-II	Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Kulothunga Chola-III	1178-1218	Rajaraja Chola-II	Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Rajaraja Chola-III	1216-1256	Kulothunga Chola-III	Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Rajendra Chola-III	1246-1279	Rajaraja Chola-III	Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Ariyalur District History

Brief About Ariyalur District

Ariyalur district came into existence by bifurcating Perambalur as per G.O.Ms.No.683 Revenue RA1(1) Department dated 19.11.07. It is bounded on the North by Cuddalore, South by Thanjavur, East by Cuddalore and Thanjavur and West by Perambalur and Tiruchirapalli districts. The new Ariyalur district is functioning from 23.11.2007

Ariyalur district consists of 2 divisions viz., Ariyalur and Udayarpalayam, three Taluks viz., Ariyalur, Udayarpalayam and Sendurai and six blocks.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT

In 1741 the Marathas invaded Tiruchirappalli and took Chanda Saheb as captive. Chanda Saheb succeeded in securing freedom in 1748 and soon got involved in famous war for the Nawabs place in the Carnatic against Anwardeen, the Nawab of Arcot and his son Mohammed Ali.

Mohammed Ali annexed the two palayams of Ariyalur and Udayarpalayam located with troops were in the Ariyalur district on the grounds of default in payment of Tributes and failure to assist him in quelling the rebellion of Yusuf Khan. In November 1764, Mohammed Ali represented the issue to Madras Council and obtained military assistance on 3rd January 1765. The forces led by Umdat-Ul-Umara and Donald Campbell entered Ariyalur and captured it. The young Poligar together with his followers there upon fled to Udayarpalayam. On the 19th January the army marched upon Udayarpalayam. The Poligar’s troops were defeated and the playams were occupied. The two poligars fled their town and took refuge in Tharangampadi, then a Danish Settlement. The annexation of the palayam gave the Navab un-interrupted possession of all his territories extending Arcot to Tiruchirapalli.

The history followed was a power struggle between Hyder Ali and later Thippu Sultan with the British. After the death of Thippu Sultan the English took the civil and military Administration of the Carnatic in 1801. Thus Tiruchirappalli came in to the hands of the English and the District was formed in 1801. In 1995 Tiruchirappalli was trifurcated and the Perambalur and Karur districts were formed. Perambalur district was divided into Perambalur and Ariyalur district in the year 2001 and merged with Perambalur in the year 2002. Then now the district is bifurcated from Perambalur and .now functioning from 23.11.2007.

PHYSICAL FEATURES
As per 2001 census, the population of Ariyalur is 695524, with male 346763 and female 348761. Ariyalur District is centrally located in Tamil Nadu and is 265 K.M. away in southern direction from Chennai. The District has an area of 1949 Sq.Km.

It is an inland district without coastal line. The District has Vellar River in the North and Kollidam River in the South and it has no well marked natural divisions.

MINERALS AND MINING
The district is fairly rich in mineral deposits. Celeste, Lime Stone, Shale, sand Stone, canker and Phosphate nodules occur at various places in the district.

PILGRIM CENTRES
Vaithiyanatha Swamy Temple at Thirumazhapadi, kaliyuga Varadaraja Perumal Kovil at Kallankurichi and Siva Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram are the important holy places for the Hindus, Elakurichi 32 Kms from Ariyalur is famous for the Church built by the famous Catholic Missionary Constantino Joseph Besky popularly known as VEERAMA MUNIVAR. The Gandaikonda Cholapuram Siva Tempole built by Rajendra Chola son of Raja Raja Chola is almost a miniature of Thanjavur Pragadeeswar Temple.

INDUSTRY
Five major Cement factories in the district reveals the abundant deposit of limestone. The availability of Lignite at Jayankondam and near by places is a gift by Mother Nature. The Fossil is said to have been a national asset according to Geologists.

AGRICULTURE
Sugar cane is grown as a major commercial crop. One private sugar factory near keelapalur is functioning in the district with a capacity of crushing 3000 Tonnes per day. One of the main crop in Ariyalur district is cashew. The pre-dominate soil in the district is red sanding with scattered packers of black soil. The soil in the district is best suited for raising dry crops. The district has a high means of temperature and low degree of humidity.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
Ariyalur Railway station belongs to Southern Railway which connects Chennai, Madurai, Tuticorin and Thirunelveli.

TOURIST INTEREST
The great monument at Gangai Konda Cholapuram, the second Pragadeeswar Temple rears its head nobiy and bespeaks the imperial dignity of the capital that Rajendra (1012-1044) the son of Raja Raja established after his victorious march to North East India up to the River Ganga.

The Vettakudi Karaivetti tank situated at 22 Kms, East of Ariyalur in Thirumanur Block is a water fefuge for many migratory birds and over species visit this tank every year between December to March in large congregation.