Chola Inscriptions of Thanjavur
Chola Inscriptions of Thanjavur are a collection of temple inscriptions and copper plate grants from the Chola capital at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.
Overview
The Thanjavur inscriptions include over 100 inscriptions on the walls of the Brihadishvara Temple and many more on surrounding Chola monuments, documenting royal donations, administrative practices, and religious endowments from the 9th to 13th centuries CE.
Historical Context
The Chola dynasty, particularly under Rajaraja I (r. 985-1014) and Rajendra I (r. 1014-1044), inscribed extensive records on the walls of the Brihadishvara Temple. The inscriptions document the temple’s construction, land grants, revenue systems, and the organization of the temple staff. The Thanjavur inscriptions are among the most detailed administrative records from medieval South India.
Features/Significance
The Thanjavur inscriptions document the Chola administrative system in extraordinary detail, including revenue assessment, tax collection, and land measurement practices. They record donations from kings, queens, merchants, and officials. The inscriptions provide evidence of Chola trade networks, including contacts with Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean world.
Modern Status
The inscriptions are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as part of the Brihadishvara Temple complex. They have been extensively published and remain primary sources for Chola history and South Indian epigraphy.
Verification Notes
- Over 100 inscriptions on Brihadishvara Temple walls
- Dates: 9th-13th centuries CE
- ASI protected (TN-TJV-1)