Among the great empires in Indian History, the Chola Empire was also an important one; but most historians have not given adequate attention to it for some reason or other.
The Cholas had ruled Lanka once with Polonnaruwa as their capital. One of the Lankan historians and academics who has done research is Emeritus Professor of History, S. Pathmanathan.
In the third week of August a research seminar on The Chola Empire and its Religious Traditions was held for three days at the Ramakrishna Seminar Hall, Wellawatta under the aegis of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Moral Upliftment that has under it wing the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs.
Among the erudite specialists and academics that addressed the seminar was Prof. S. Pathmanathan. He read several papers and moderated the seminar conducted in the Thamil Language. On this occasion, a special publication covering the Chola period was also launched. In that, one of Prof S P's essays was titled Cultural Traditions in Chola Period
I wish to give the salient points in the first two paragraphs only of his article for the benefit of non-Thamilian readers. Instead of going through the whole essay, I shall select only one subhead, which is Cholas in Lanka.
=Rajaraja 1 in his eighth year of ascendancy seized the northern part of Lanka. Evidence of his rule can be found in the epigraphs found in Maathottam, Padaviya, and Thirukoanamalai. Further the epigraphs of his rule are found in the Thanjai Peruvudayaar Temple. What the Cholas captured in the northern part of Lanka was called Mumudi Chola Mandalam. It was divided into parts called Valanadu. The Chola administrators and others constructed temples.
=In 1017 during the fifth year of Rajendra Cholan there was a General by name Jayankonda Chola Mooveanda Velalan. He took with him the king Mahinda and his consort plus their crown, jewellry and other objects. He also handed over the crown and other accessories that were deposited with the Sinhala king by Rajasimman, a Pandyan king a century ago. As a result of the invasion by the Chola General the impact of the Cholas extended up to the north of Dakinadesham. The hegemony even spread to the eastern coastal areas of Ruhuna. The Chola impact lasted till 1017 when Kulotunga took up reins.
The rest of the article and the other articles in the publication available should be read by as many people as possible either directly or through translations.
Here is a list of articles appearing in the publication:
01. Cultural traditions in Chola Period (S. Pathmanathan)
02. Temples in the Chola Period (S. Pathmanathan)
03. Copper plates in the Chola Period (Nadana Kasinathan)
04. Temple Holy Labour and Epigraphical Studies in the Chola Period (Sithambaram Mylvaganan)
05. The Social and Cultural Status during the Chola Period
06. New Words and Dictionaries in the Epigraphs during the Cola Period (S. Govindarasanar)
07. Sculpture and Architecture in the Chola Period Veluchamy Suthanthiran)
08. The Saarangapaani Karanas in New Search (Ira Kalaikovan)
09. Chola Politics (Nithiyavathi Nithiyananthan)
10. Chola Literature
11. Religion in Chola Period
12. Seminars on Hinduism and Thamil Language (Devakumari Haran)
13. A Few Words on the Chief Consultant (S. Theivanayagam)
The Ministry, the department and the scholars deserve high praise in organising such a research seminar which attracted even non-academics and lovers of history and literature as seen at the seminar last fortnight.