Relationship of the Cholas with the Chinese

The Chola Empire at its greatest extent, during the reign of Rajendra Chola I in 1030 CE

The Cholas, the Tamil kings of the Chola dynasty who had ruled most parts of South India, maintained a strong relationship with the Chinese.

## Relationship during the 2nd century BC

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The relationship between the Chinese and Cholas dates back to second century BC. Ancient Chinese scholar Ban Gu had told that China had sent its ambassador to the court of the Cholas.

Ban Gu in his work the Book of Han (Ch'ien Han Shu) had written that he had seen many unprecedented objects which are unseen at China, at the city of kuvangtche. Berend, an acoustics expert, annotates that the city named by Ban Gu is analogous with the ancient Chola city kanchi (the present day's city of Kancheepuram at Tamil Nadu, India). This proves the relationship of Kanchi with China.[1]

## Coins

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Arrays of ancient Chinese coins have been found in recent years at the place which is considered to be the homeland of the Cholas (i.e. the present Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Pudukkottai districts of Tamil Nadu, India), which confirms the trade and the commercial relationship which existed between the Cholas and the Chinese.[2]

Place | Number of coins | Other details

|
|

Olayakkunnam | 323 | These coins are from 142-126 BC. This village is situated in Pattukkottai taluk in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu, India
Thaalikkottai | 1822 | This village is situated in Mannargudi taluk in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, India

## Relationship during the 11th century AD

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The later Cholas too continued to maintain a healthy relationship with the Chinese. During the reign of Rajendra Chola I (i.e. 1016–1033 AD) and Kulothunga Chola I (i.e. in 1077 AD), commercial and political diplomats were sent to China.[3][4]

## See also

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* Relationship of the Tamils with the Chinese

## References

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1. ^ Numismatics of Tamils by Nadana kaasinaathan - Tamil version (தமிழர் காசியல், நடன காசிநாதன்)
2. ^ Chinese Coins From Tanjore, Sino-Indian Studies, vol. I, Part I, Oct. 1944
3. ^ "the Chola monarchs sent embassies, partly diplomatic & commercial, to China which reached that country in 1016, 1033, 1077" - K.A. Nilakanta Shastri, "A history of South India"
4. ^ Indian History till 1200 AD - Annamalai University - Chapter-8 - section-24 - page-425 - Trade and Coinage - Tamil version (இந்திய வரலாறு கி.பி.1200 வரை - அண்ணாமலைப் பல்கலைக்கழகம் - அதிகாரம்-8 - பகுதி-24 - பக்கம்-425 - வாணிகமும் நாணயமுறையும்)

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Chola dynasty topics

History|

* Origins
* Early Cholas
* Battle of Venni
* Medieval Cholas
* Battle of Sri Purambiyam
* Battle of Takkolam
* South-East Asia campaign of Rajendra Chola I
* Chola invasion of Srivijaya
* Chalukya–Chola wars
* Chola rule in Anuradhapura
* Battle of Donur
* Chola expedition to North India
* Battle of Kandalur Salai
* Battle of Koppam
* Battle of Kudal-Sangamam
* Later Cholas
* Battle of Vijayawada
* Chola invasion of Kadaram
* Chola invasion of Kalinga (1097)
* Chola invasion of Kalinga (1110)
* Battle of Nettur
* Telugu Cholas

Government|

* Chola Empire (c. 300 BCE – 1279 CE)
* Legendary early Chola kings
* Mandalam
* Chola military
* Chola Navy
* Flag of Chola

Society and culture|

* Art
* Literature
* Religion
* Tamil copper-plate inscriptions
* In popular culture

Economy|

* Foreign trade
* Relationship of the Cholas with the Chinese

Architecture|

* Temples
* Chola temples in Bangalore
* Great Living Chola Temples
* Solesvara temples
* Kallanai Dam

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