Of kings and empires

Of kings and empires

by Jour ~ Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Here is a portrait of a map depicting the empire of the Chola Dynasty that ruled South India and parts of South East Asia under Rajendra Chola 1 in the 11th century. This map lies lost in a thatched hut which houses the museum as well. And the thatched hut is in a forgotten town called Gangaikondacholapuram, the erstwhile capital that once ruled over this entire empire. Today the town doesnt exist, except for an unfinished massive Brihadeshwara temple that resembles the one in Thanjavur, built by Rajendra's father, Raja Raja Chola . Here is a painting of the king , Rajendra himself - in the same museum .

Please click on both the pictures to see the enlarged versions