Chola dynasty

Chola Dynasty
Imperial, and Royal, dynasty
Imperial coin of Emperor Rajaraja I (985–1014). Uncertain Tamilnadu mint. Legend "Chola, conqueror of the Gangas" in Tamil, seated tiger with two fish.
Country	List Chola Empire Early Cholas Anuradhapura Kingdom Kakatiya dynasty Chodaganga Dynasty Kadaram Kingdom of Velanati Kingdom of Nellore Kingdom of Pottapi Kingdom of Nannuru Kingdom of Konidena Kingdom of Niduga Raja of Cebu (Semi-Legendary) Other smaller historical states
Etymology	Chola Nadu
Founder	Ilamchetchenni (first documented)
Final ruler	Rajendra III (main branch)
Deposition	1279
Cadet branches	Telugu Choda Dynasties Chodas of Velanati Chodas of Nellore Chodas of Renati Chodas of Pottapi Chodas of Konidena Chodas of Nannuru Cholas of Nidugal Chodaganga Dynasty Rajanate of Cebu (Semi-Legendary)

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The Chola dynasty (Tamil: [t͡ʃoːɻɐr]) was a Tamil dynasty originating from southern India. At its height, it ruled over the Chola Empire, an expansive maritime empire. The earliest datable references to the Chola are from inscriptions dated to the 3rd century BCE during the reign of Ashoka of the Maurya empire. The Chola empire was at its peak and achieved imperialism under the Medieval Cholas in the mid-9th century CE. As one of the Three Crowned Kings of Tamilakam, along with the Chera and Pandya, the dynasty continued to govern over varying territories until the 13th century CE.

The heartland of the Cholas was the fertile valley of the Kaveri River. They ruled a significantly larger area at the height of their power from the latter half of the 9th century till the beginning of the 13th century. They unified peninsular India south of the Tungabhadra River and held the territory as one state for three centuries between 907 and 1215 CE.^[1] Under Rajaraja I and his successors Rajendra I, Rajadhiraja I, Rajendra II, Virarajendra, and Kulothunga Chola I, the empire became a military, economic and cultural powerhouse in South Asia and Southeast Asia.^[2]