Raja Raja Cholan : An Exemplar Administrator and Visionary

In the wake of the recent controversy against the greatest Chola emperor Raja Rajan, Prof. Dr. G. Deivanayagam who is an expert in Chola history offers the following facts.

The reign of Raja Raja Cholan (985 CE -1014 CE) and of his illustrious son Rajendra Cholan (1014 CE – 1044 CE) was considered to be the Golden Age of administration and efficient governance in the History of India by great scholars of this country and abroad. The anonymous comments tarnishing our precious History are baseless and have no Historical data to validate the same. It is our sincerest wish that henceforth such remarks should not be entertained in Tamil Nadu, a state of great knowledge and wisdom.

Misconception of Mangala Vilas

The Marathas ruled Thanjavur from later part of 16th century to mid 19th century. Historical evidences suggest the existence of Mangala Vilas during the period of Sarabhoji III Bhonsle, circa 1833 CE. Mangala Vilas was the residence of the wives of Sarabhoji III, where all the women were treated like queens with royal amenities.

The duration of Raja Raja’s reign was from late 10th century to early 11th century. A long inscription on the outer side of the North- West Compound wall (Thiru Madil Suvar) of Thanjavur Big Temple reads the names of 420 women danseuses (commonly known as Devaradiyars or Thaliseri pengal) along with their address, as women devoted to perform for the deity Lord Nataraja. The inscription is probably one of the lengthiest in the world.

Our culture considers service and devotion to God with utmost importance and Raja Raja elevated the social status of these dancers in par with the high priests of the temple. He provided them with bungalows, servants and officials to assist them in their day-to-day life, maintenance grants and also annual grants. There is no evidence in any culture or civilisation across the world, where danseuses were treated with such dignity.

Land Grabbing Disparity

Occupation-based caste divisions were in existence since the remote part of the History of Tamil Nadu. There is no data to substantiate that caste-based discrimination became prominent during the rule of Raja Rajan.

It is to be noted that in Monarchy all the agricultural lands belonged to the kingdom and land taxes were levied. The peasants were encouraged to do farming and pay taxes. Some lands were given as Brahmadeyam (gifts) to Brahmins; in this case only the ownership was transferred to Brahmins. Tillers were still engaged in these lands and their fair share was given with due respect.

The article is written with insights from Prof. Dr. G. Deivanayagam, an expert in Chola History.

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