During his visit to Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple in Tamil Nadu in July 2025, Prime Minister Modi recalled the Chola kings and remarked that the “historians consider the Chola period to be among the golden eras of India, an era distinguished by its military strength”. Furthermore, the “economic and strategic advancements achieved during the Chola era remain a source of inspiration for modern India”.

Indeed Chola’s were the pre-eminent power in peninsular India. They had also established social, cultural, and diplomatic relations with Srivijaya rulers in Sumatra. Prime Minister Modi also made reference to Shaivite tradition. Cholas had been catalysts in the propagation of Shaivite tradition in Southern India and their contribution in its transmission in Southeast Asia is notable. In particular, “Shaivite tradition had played a vital role in shaping India’s cultural identity and the Chola emperors were key architects of this legacy” according to Prime Minister Modi. Also several Tamil mercantile guilds were set up at several places in Southeast Asia resulting in a sophisticated India-Southeast Asia trading system that extended as far as China.

Prime Minister Modi glorified “King Rajaraja Chola who established a powerful navy, which was further strengthened by Rajendra Chola”. It is true that there have been many epochs of glory in the Indian history. Several dynasties and rulers in India developed maritime power and engaged in international commerce including wars at sea.

The Chola kings particularly Rajaraja I (AD 984-1013) and his son Rajendra Choladeva I (AD 1013-1044) enjoyed unprecedented maritime supremacy with an ocean going fleet for trade. They had encouraged trade missions and opening the Chola heartland to the overseas trading systems from the Mediterranean and Persia in the west and Malaya, Sumatra and China in the east. This resulted in a powerful ocean going fleet built around big ships. Notably, the Chola seafarers had a good understanding of the winds and sea currents. They had knowledge of heavenly bodies and at least 56 stars seen in the lower latitudes of the northern hemisphere were used for navigation.

In 1025 A.D., Rajendra Choladeva I dispatched an expeditionary force to Southeast Asia to conduct foray against the Srivijaya Kingdom. There is no credible evidence to determine the cause; however it is generally believed that the “purpose of these expeditions was not colonization, but to secure trade routes, expand maritime power, and promote cultural exchange”. Several other plausible reasons such as the deterioration in relations between Srivijaya and Chola kings due to former’s attempt to strangulate Indian trade with China, are attributable and could have triggered the expedition. It could also be Chola pattern of expansion that was instrumental in ordering the naval raid against Srivijaya territories.

In its tactical construct, the naval raid showcased Chola military maritime capability to undertake distant voyages and the ability to build a colossal logistical supply chain to support such a large and expansive naval operation across the seas. The raid resulted in the defeat of the Srivijaya kingdom at several places and showcased the consistent and an aggressive maritime mercantile policy that was marshalled for the naval raid.

At another level, Cholas encouraged culture and religion transmission in Southeast Asia and several Hindu temples in Southeast Asia are true reflections of the Indian influence. There is also evidence of Indian statecraft in the region. In the context of the latter, ancient Indian sutras, smritis, and shashtras may have found relevance in ancient Southeast Asian political developments and statecraft. According to O W Walters, Cambodian Kings were “drunk in the ocean of Sastras” and were familiar with political organisation in India. For instance, a 12th Century Cham king claimed accession on the basis of his Sanskrit treatise on governance ostensibly similar to an Indian Sastra. Apparently, the concept of ‘Mandala’ came to be exercised in Southeast Asian statecraft. The different Mandalas did not accept each other on equal terms. Although there were several Mandalas, the concept of ‘ekacchatra’ (one umbrella sovereignty) never emerged partly due to the geographical separation among various Mandalas as also their ‘historical experiences’.

The commemorative coin issued at the event is symbolic of “tribute to Rajendra Chola” and is representation of how “Tamil emperor carried Sanatana Dharma and Indian culture across the seas and united all of South Asia through a shared cultural thread”. In essence, Cholas can be described as the flag bearers of cultural interconnection between India and Southeast Asia and India’s current Act East Policy can be understood as mirror image of flourishing socio-cultural exchanges of ancient times.

Dr. Vijay Sakhuja is Professor and Head, Center of Excellence for Geopolitics and International Studies (CEGIS), REVA University, Bengaluru and is associated with Kalinga International Foundation, New Delhi.