A Historical Study on Society and Culture in Thanjavur District in the Inscriptions of Rajaraja Chola I
Author : V Anusuya
Abstract :
This historical study examines society and culture in Thanjavur district during the reign of Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014 CE) through his inscriptions, primarily those at the Brih adisvara Temple. The research focuses on how these epigraphic records reveal the intricacies of Chola social structure, economic systems, religious practices, and cultural patronage in the empire's heartland. The objective is to reconstruct daily life, administrative hierarchies, and artistic expressions by analyzing primary inscriptions that detail temple endowments, land grants, staff roles, and rituals. Methods involve historiographical analysis of primary sources like temple wall engravings and copper plates, supplemented by secondary literature from scholars such as K.A. Nilakanta Sastri and S.R. Balasubrahmanyam. Key findings highlight a prosperous agrarian society with centralized administration, including village assemblies managing irrigation and revenues; a vibrant cultural scene fostering Tamil literature, music, and dance; and Shaivite dominance with inclusive endowments supporting diverse temple personnel, including women donors like Rajaraja's sister Kundavai. The study underscores the temple's role as an economic and social hub, integrating conquest spoils into local welfare. This research is relevant for understanding medieval South Indian heritage, demonstrating how inscriptions preserve evidence of a sophisticated civilization that influenced regional identity and pan-Indian Hindu traditions, offering insights into pre-colonial governance and cultural continuity.
Keywords :
Rajaraja Chola I, Chola Inscriptions, Thanjavur Society, Brihadisvara Temple, Chola Culture, Shaivite Patronage.
