Rajaraja I is the most celebrated of the Chola kings. He engaged in naval expeditions and emerged victorious in the West Coast, Sri Lanka and conquered the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
The military victory of Raja Raja I over Sri Lanka led to its northern and eastern portions coming under the direct control of the Chola authority.
Rajaraja I appointed a Tamil chief to govern the annexed regions and ordered a temple to be built.
It is locally called Siva Devale (shrine of Siva).
The Chola official appointed in Sri Lanka built a temple in a place called Mahatitta.
The temple is called Rajarajesvara.
Even as he was alive, Rajaraja I appointed his son, Rajendra I, as his heir apparent.
For two years, they jointly ruled the Chola kingdom.
Rajendra I took part in the military campaigns of his father, attacking the Western Chalukyas.
Consequently, the boundary of the Chola Empire extended up to Tungabhadra river.
When Rajaraja I attacked Madurai, the Pandyas escaped with their crown and royal jewels and took shelter in Sri Lanka.
Thereupon, Rajendra I conquered Sri Lanka and confiscated the Pandya crown and other royal belongings.
Rajendra I conducted the most striking military exploit after his accession in 1023 by his expedition to northern India.
He led the expedition up to the Godavari river and asked his general to continue beyond that place.
The Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple was built to commemorate his victories in North India.
During the Chola reign, the naval achievements of the Tamils reached its peak.
The Cholas controlled both the Coromandel and Malabar coasts.
The Chola navy often ventured into Bay of Bengal for some decades.
Rajendra’s naval operation was directed against Sri Vijaya.
Sri Vijaya kingdom (southern Sumatra) was one of the prominent maritime and commercial states that flourished from c. 700 to c. 1300 in South-east Asia.
Similarly, Kheda (Kadaram), feudatory kingdom under Sri Vijaya, was also conquered by Rajendra.
The Chola invasions of Western Chalukya Empire, undertaken in 1003 by Rajaraja I and 1009 by Rajendra I, were also successful.
Rajendra sent his son to ransack and ravage its capital Kalayani.
The dwarapala (door keeper) image he brought from Kalayani was installed at the Darasuram temple near Kumbhakonam, which can be seen even today.
Rajendra I assumed the titles such as Mudikonda Cholan (the crowned Chola),Gangaikondan (conqueror of the Ganges), Kadaramkondan (conqueror of Kadaram) and Pandita Cholan (scholarly Cholan).
