One of the most powerful empires of South India, the Chola dynasty maintained its hegemony over the Tamil region for several centuries, peaking between the ninth and thirteenth centuries. Of the many achievements of the Cholas – from temple architecture to administrative reforms – one of the most incredible and far-reaching was their naval expeditions to South-East Asia.
Most importantly, during the reign of Rajendra Chola I in the early 11th century, the Cholas made successful invasions into parts of contemporary Malaysia and Indonesia. But why did the Cholas, a peninsular Indian empire, launch such ambitious overseas expeditions? The answer lies in a combination of political ambition, monetary hobbies, maritime dominance and a desire to control key alternative routes across the Indian Ocean.
Political Expansion and Imperial Ambition
The biggest motivation behind the Chola invasions was the ambition to establish a power mission and dominance beyond the Indian subcontinent. Rajendra Chola I, son of the great king Rajaraja Chola I, inherited a large and impressive empire, but he tried to carry on in the same way. By the early 11th century, the Cholas had established their dominance over parts of South India and Sri Lanka. Having secured internal control, Rajendra turned his attention outward.
His conquest of Southeast Asia, primarily the Srivijaya Empire – a rich and powerful maritime empire based in Sumatra – was as much about demonstrating military prowess as it was about increasing political influence. By defeating Srivijaya in 1025 CE and seizing key ports, Rajendra sent a strong message that the Cholas were no longer just a local power but a global naval power. This imperial push was also reflected in the symbolic gestures Rajendra made, including naming his new capital Gangaikonda Cholapuram (meaning “the city of the Cholas who conquered the Ganges”) and building grand temples to celebrate his victories. Monetary Reasons and Exchange Dominance
Perhaps the most important reason for the Cholas’ invasion of Southeast Asia was financial. In the medieval period, Southeast Asia became a hub of maritime exchange, with important sea routes linking China, India, and the Islamic world. The Srivijaya Empire controlled the Strait of Malacca, one of the most strategic and rewarding maritime chokepoints. Controlling or at least disrupting Srivijaya’s dominance over this transit route could have opened up new opportunities for the Cholas to expand their trade influence and maritime supremacy.
Indian merchants, along with those from the Tamil region, had long been trading and buying and selling with Southeast Asian kingdoms, exchanging goods such as spices, textiles, precious stones, and incense. However, Srivijaya’s dominance over maritime exchange often meant that Indian merchants had to pay taxes or rely on their permission to pass through major ports. By launching aggressive campaigns Rajendra aimed to reduce the Cholas’ dependence on the alternative network managed by Srivijaya and assert direct control over important commercial routes.
Naval power and maritime supremacy
The Cholas were among the few Indian dynasties that developed a strong navy, and their invasion of Southeast Asia demonstrated this maritime power. Their ships were capable of transporting huge armies across the Bay of Bengal, demonstrating not only advanced naval technology but also sophisticated logistics planning. These expeditions were not simply hit-and-run raids—they were well-organized military campaigns involving multiple fleets, coordinated attacks, and the brief occupation of strategic ports.
The achievement of those naval expeditions revealed the Cholas’ intention to establish themselves as a major maritime power inside the Indian Ocean. This ambition became part of a broader vision of transforming the Bay of Bengal into what some historians call the “Chola Lake” in which their ships could travel freely and safely, expanding exchange and influence without interference from rival maritime empires.
Spiritual and cultural influences
While the main motives were political and financial, spiritual and cultural elements also played a role in the Chola invasions. The Cholas were Hindus, primarily followers of Shaivism, and their expansion often had a spiritual dimension. Temples were added or supported in conquered regions, spreading Tamil architectural patterns and Hindu traditions throughout Southeast Asia.
In addition, the Cholas were keen to sell Indian lifestyles and smooth power. Today, the presence of Indian languages, scripts, and non-religious practices – primarily Tamil and Sanskrit inscriptions, Hindu temples, and Buddhist shrines – is evident in parts of Southeast Asia. Lasting legacy in present-day India.
Today, Mughal-inspired cuisine is deeply embedded in the identity of Indian cooking. Whether it is the signature dish of Bird Tikka Masala in global Indian restaurants or the lavish, flamboyant dishes served at Indian weddings, the delicious soul of Mughlai cuisine lives on. The legacy of the Mughals now lies not just in the recipes but in the techniques, flavours and approach to food they developed – where cooking is no longer just a meal but an act of sophistication and artistry.
In short, the Mughal generation marked a culinary renaissance in India, combining exotic beauty with local soul to create a cuisine that is one of the country’s richest gastronomic treasures.