The Chola military (Tamil: சோழர் படை) was the combined armed forces of the Chola Empire organized during two separate Tamil golden ages, the Sangam Period and the Medieval Era. The Chola military fought dozens of wars, and it also underwent numerous changes in structure, organization, equipment and tactics, while conserving a core of lasting Tamil traditions.
Sangam period (300 BC – 300 AD)
It has not been possible to assemble an internal chronology of the Sangam works and pinpoint when and how the early Chola military was formed.[citation needed]
Karikala Chola stands pre-eminent amongst all those mentioned in Pattinappaalai. 'Karikala' means 'elephant feller' or 'charred leg', which is assumed to be a reference to an accident by fire that befell the prince early in his life.[citation needed]Pattinappaalai describes this accident and the enterprising way in which the prince escaped and established himself on the Chola throne. Pattinappalai is a poem on the then Chola capital Kaveripattinam and describes the numerous battles Karikala fought against the Cheras and Pandyas, including the famous Battle of Venni where the Chola army defeated a confederacy of (about) a dozen rulers headed by Chera and Pandya kings. Following the battle, the Chera king was disgraced (received a wound on his back) and committed suicide. Karikala thus broke the confederacy that was formed against him, conquered the Chera and Pandya kingdoms, and established Chola hegemony over Tamilakam.[citation needed] After the Battle of Venni, Karikala defeated the confederacy of nine minor chieftains in the Battle of Vakaipparandalai. He also invaded Sri Lanka and took away, among other things, 12,000 Sinhalese men to work as slaves in the construction of the Kallanai Dam.[1]
The poet Kovur Kilar mentions a protracted civil war between two Chola chieftains Nalankilli and Nedunkilli. Nedunkilli isolated himself in a fort in Avur, which was being besieged by Mavalattan, Nalankilli's younger brother. The poet chided Nedunkilli to come out and fight like a man instead of causing untold misery to the people of the city. In another poem, the poet begs both the princes to give up the civil war as whoever wins, the loser will be a Chola.
Kalavali by Poygayar mentions the Chola King Kocengannan and his battle with the Chera king Kanaikkal Irumporai. The Chera was taken prisoner and Poygayar, who was a friend of the Chera, sang a poem praising the Chola King Kochchenganan in 40 stanzas. The Chola king, pleased with the work, released the Chera. Kalavali describes the battle fought at Kalumalam, near the Chera capital. Kocengannan is one of the 63 nayanars. Kocengannan became the subject of many instances in later times and is portrayed as a pious Siva devotee who built many fine temples for Siva along the banks of the river Kaveri.
Medieval Chola army
The Chola dynasty faded into darkness after c. 300 CE. During this period, the Cholas lost their sovereignty in Tamilakam and held on to their old capital city of Urayur by serving as a vassal state under the Kalabhra and Pallava dynasties and by making use of the opportunity during a war between the Pandyas and Pallavas, Vijayalaya Chola rose out of obscurity and captured Thanjavur and re-established the Chola dynasty. In 852 CE, Vijayalaya Chola declared war on the Pandyas and defeated them and at the same time, the Cholas became so powerful that the Pallavas were also wiped out from the Thanjavur region at a later stage. The Medieval Chola Empire traced their ancestry to the ancient Tamil King, Karikala, making him the dynasty's ancestral father.[2]
Organization and administration
Cholas recruited military personnel of four types: soldiers of hereditary military families, soldiers raised from various tribes, personnel provided by various tradesmen and merchants, and mercenaries.[3]
In addition to the divisions, there were the Nadapu—the commissariat and Payanam—the admiralty and logistics. The addition to these, bureaucratic reforms revolutionized the Chola Army, resulting in victories on a massive scale.[4]
There were hundreds of generals in the Medieval Chola Army, some notable commanders include:
Senathipathi Araiyan Rajarajan (11th century)
Younger brother of Rajendra Chola I and highest ranking general of the Chola Army during their victories against the Western Chalukya dynasty, Somavamsi dynasty, the Pala Kingdom, and the Kamboja Pala dynasty
Senathipathi Abrameya Pallavan, was the commander-in-chief of Rajaraja Chola.
He was the commander in kandalur salai battle 988CE and also in the Kudamalai battle in 994 CE where Prince Rajendra led the forces.
General during the reign of Kulottunga Chola I and his successor Vikrama Chola who led many Chola campaigns in the deep south and distinguished himself in the Pandya Wars
Invaded Polonnaruwa and destroyed parakramabahu's preparations for the invasion of Chola Nadu and provided support for Sinhalese Prince Sri Vallabha, nephew of Parakramabahu and a rival claimant to the Polonnaruwa throne
Regiments
Horse-drawn chariots used by the Chola Army Elephants used in battle
Chola inscriptions mention numerous regiments by specific names. Rajaraja Chola I created a powerful standing army and a considerable navy, which achieved even greater success under his son Rajendra Chola I. The prominence given to the army from the conquest of the Pandyas down to the last year of the king's reign is significant and shows the spirit with which the king treated his soldiers. Rajaraja gave his army its due share in the glory derived from his extensive conquests. The army was composed chiefly of Kaikolars (Weavers), which were royal troops receiving regular payments from the treasury (e.g. Arul mozhideva-terinda-kaikola padai; in this, arulmozhideva is the king's name, terinda means well known, and padai means regime).[5][6] Kaikolars were also a part-time weavers who formed battalions during wartime.
Some of the well-known Kaikola battalions were:[citation needed]
Singalantaka-terinda-Kaikkolar
Virachozha-terinja-Kaikkolar
Kodandarama-terinja-Kaikkolar
Danatonga-terinja-Kaikkolar
Parantaka-terinja-Kaikkolar
Muthuvalpetra-Kaikkolar
Samarakesarit-terinja-Kaikkolar
Vikramasingat-terinja-Kaikkolar
Adityapanma-terinda-Kaikkolar
Karikala-chozha-terinja-Kaikkolar
Arulmozhideva-terinja-Kaikkolar
Parttivasekarat-terinja-Kaikkolar
Gandaraditta-terinja-Kaikkolar
Madurantaka-terinja-Kaikkolar
Kodandarama-terinja-Kaikkolar is named after Aditya Chola I who had another name Kodandarama. Smarakesarit-terinja-Kaikkolar and Vikramasingat-terinja-Kaikkolar derived their names from possible titles of Parantaka Chola I. Gandaraditta-terinja-Kaikkolar must have been the name of a regiment named after king Gandaraditya Chola, the father of Uttama Chola. Singalantaka-terinda-Kaikkolar, a regiment named after Singalantaka i.e. Parantaka Chola I. Danatunga-terinja-Kaikkolar (regiment or group). The early writing of the record and the surname Danatunga of Parantaka I suggest its assignment to his reign. Muthuvalpetra, meaning the “recipient of the pearl ornamented sword” in Tamil seems to indicate some special honour or rank conferred on the regiment by the king. Arulmozhideva-terinja-Kaikkolar is named after Raja Raja Chola I.[citation needed]
Nigarili- Chola terinda-Udanilai-Kudiraichchevagar — Cavalry
Mummadi- Chola-terinda-Anaippagar — Elephant corps
Vira- Chola-Anukkar
Parantaka-Kongavalar — Light Infantry
Mummadi- Chola-terinda-parivarattar
Keralantaka-terinda-parivarattar
Mulaparivara-vitteru alias Jananatha-terinda-parivarattar
Singalantaka-terinda-parivarattar
Sirudanattu Vadugakkalavar
Valangai-Parambadaigalilar
Sirudanattu-Valangai-Velaikkarappadaigal
Aragiya- Chola-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar
Aridurgalanghana-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar
Chandaparakrama-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar
Ilaiya-Rajaraja-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar
Kshatriyasikhamani-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar
Murtavikramabharana-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar
Rajakanthirava-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar
Rajaraja-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar
Rajavinoda-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar
Ranamukha-Bhima-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar
Vikramabharana-terinda-Valangai-Velaikkarar
Keralantaka-vasal-tirumeykappar
Anukka-vasal-tirumeykappar — Personal bodyguards
Parivarameykappargal — Personal bodyguards
Palavagai-Parampadaigalilar
Perundanattu-Valangai-Velaikkarappadaigal
Velaikkarappadaigal or Velaikkarar is the equivalent of "Guards regiment" or "King's Regiment"—a royal suffix given in honour of their loyalty and bravery. Some historians like Stein also propose that they were drawn from the civilian population during wartime, suggesting they were more like the National Guard. They are mentioned in the Mahavamsa; according to that account, the Sinhalese kingdom tried to use them as mercenaries against the Chola empire. They were later silenced and decommissioned when they refused and rebelled.[citation needed]
There are almost seventy such regiments that have been found in these inscriptions. In most of the foregoing names, the first portion appears to be the surnames or titles of the king himself or that of his son. That these regiments were called after the king or his son shows the attachment that the Chola king bore towards his army.[citation needed]
It may not be unreasonable to suppose that these royal names were prefixed to the designations of these regiments after they had distinguished themselves in some engagement or other. It is worthy of note that there are elephant troops, cavalry and foot soldiers among these regiments.[citation needed]
Top officers took various titles after the different kings such as Rajaraja Chola Brahmarajan, Rajarajakesari Muvendavelar, Jayamkondachola Villuparaiyar, Uttamachola Muvendavelar, Manukula Muvendavelar, Nittavinotha Muvendavelar, AtirajendraMuvendavelar, Mummudi chola pallavaraiyar, and Viranarayanan Muvendavelan.[7]
Chola troops in battle
Garrisons
The military administration system of the Chola dynasty in ancient India was a meticulously planned and executed strategy to ensure the security and stability of their vast empire. The army was stationed throughout the country in the form of local garrisons and cantonments, commonly known as "Kadagams." These garrisons were established in strategic locations to provide immediate security to the surrounding regions. They also served as administrative centres for the collection of taxes, maintenance of law and order, and the dispensation of justice.[citation needed]
The Cholas' military administration system extended beyond their borders, with garrisons stationed in the territories they had conquered. These garrisons were responsible for the collection of taxes and the maintenance of law and order in these regions. They also acted as a deterrent against any rebellion or uprising, thereby ensuring the continued subjugation of the conquered territories.[citation needed]
The Cholas' military administration system was not limited to the establishment of garrisons and cantonments. They also maintained a well-trained and well-equipped army that was ready to respond to any threat to the empire's security. The Cholas also had a navy that patrolled the seas around their empire, protecting their trade routes and preventing piracy.[citation needed]
Overall, the Cholas' military administration system was a testament to their foresight and strategic planning. It provided security and stability to their empire, ensuring its continued prosperity and longevity. Following the Chola conquest of Anuradhapura, Senathipathi of the Sri Lanka Front Army of Rajaraja l and Rajendra I, Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan, garrisoned the city of Polonnaruwa to administer control over the island and deter any attempt of reconquest by the Sinhalese armies.[8] After the troubles in the Pandya country, Kulothunga Chola I stationed his army in several military colonies along the main route to Pandya from Chola lands. One such colony was found at Kottaru and another at Madavilagam near South Arcot district in Tamil Nadu.[9]
The maritime force of the Chola dynasty was established with ships primarily utilized for trade and transportation. Notably, the dynasty lacked a dedicated ship for naval combat. Instead, these ships were repurposed to transport the land army overseas. The Chola maritime force consisted of several types of ships, such as the Kalamukha, Manthai, and Sandhani ships. The Kalamukha was a warship equipped with a battering ram, while the Manthai was a cargo ship with a capacity of up to 500 passengers. The Sandhani was designed specifically to transport horses and elephants overseas. Despite the lack of a ship designed for naval battles, the Chola dynasty maintained a formidable maritime force through the strategic utilization of their ships for both trade and transportation purposes.[10]: 251 [11]: 77
^Sakhuja, Vijay; Sakhuja, Sangeeta (2009). "Rajendra Chola I's Naval Expedition to Southeast Asia: A Nautical Perspective". In Kulke, Hermann; Kesavapany, K.; Sakhuja, Vijay (eds.). Nagapattinam to suvarnadwipa: Reflections on the Chola naval expeditions to Southeast Asia. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. pp. 76–90.
