The Only Time India Invaded
Since ancient times, India has been invaded by many powers of the world. While it has been a victim of numerous invasions throughout history, there is a popular perception that India has never invaded another country, a fact many Indians pride themself in. While this perception is almost entirely true, there is a remarkable exception.
This is the story of King Rajendra Chola I, the mighty ruler of the Chola Empire in South India, and his naval adventures in Southeast Asia during the 11th century. King Rajendra Chola I’s naval expeditions targeted regions that fall within modern-day countries in Southeast Asia. His primary focus was on the territories and kingdoms that were part of the Srivijaya Empire, which dominated the maritime regions of Southeast Asia at that time.
Rajendra Chola
Established in the fertile plains of the Kaveri River in present-day Tamil Nadu, the Chola dynasty rose to be one of the most influential empires. By the time of Rajendra Chola I, who ascended the throne in 1014 AD, the Chola Empire had reached the peak of its territorial extent and cultural influence.
