My historical research on the Cholas has been going on for a very long time,almost 20years since young. One of the most important places in that historical search is the Singapore Museum. An exhibition containing historical evidence about the Cholas was organized by the Singaporean Tamils there in the Singapore Museum.The exhibition was held there for almost a month. I heard about this exhibition when I was living with my family in Singapore 25 years ago. Later I went to visit the exhibition with my wife and children. Innumerable good information and explanatory texts about the Cholas were given there.
During the period of Rajaraja Chola, Tamils excelled in trade. At one time the Cholas had great influence in South East Asia for almost 200 years, military and diplomatic wise. The Cholas not only went to South East Asia from Nagapattinam to trade, but also went to China from there to trade and lived very comfortably. There are also many business groups heading the Sea trade.
During the period of Rajaraja Chola, the Sri Vijaya Empire had a very cordial friendship with the Chola Empire. As a confirmation of that, Rajaraja Chola has donated land to King Sri Vijaya to build Sudamani Buddha Temple in Nagapattinam. At that place the Buddha is depraved.It was built in 1006 AD by the King of Sri Vijaya, Mara Vijaya Dungavarman. Historians say that Buddhist monastery existed till the 18th century. It is not known whether there are any remains of it now.
While the Chola nation and Sri Vijaya were close allies for a long time, King Srivijaya, who was jealous of the growth of the Chola trade, not only imposed additional taxes on the Chola merchants, but also combed the palms of the merchants who refused to pay it with a sharp knife and tied the two hands together as if they were bowing and made them walk in the streets. He gave the most severe punishment so that the hands tied together in such a way would not be able to be separated in later days and would remain together forever.
This act made Rajendra Chola very angry. This was also the reason for the war on Sri Vijaya. When Sri Vijaya King was waiting for a direct attack by Rajendra Chola, he encircled the island of Sumatra and launched a surprise attack, destabilizing Sri Vijaya King and defeating him at his capital.
In this exhibition, there was a Thanjavur Inscription information banner that mentions Rajendra Chola’s invasion with information about which places Rajendra Chola conquered in South East Asia. in it
Alaikadal Midud Balakalanchelutchi Sankrima Tyyotunga Vanmanakia Kataradarasanai Vagayam Poru.Perunethi Paiirukum born in Kaad Kumbak Kari Yodu Magapadu Thurimi and Arthavana Kanagar Port Vichadi Toran at the gate of Meitholir Punaimanipudavam Kanakamanik Kathavam and Niraiseer Tiyyam.
Kalaithak Korbukal Tahitakolam and Nitamalingam Kalamudhirk Kadund Khilal Ilamuri Desam and Tenaka Warbozil Manakavaram and Tikkadal Kaval Katamurat Kadaram.
Wodeyarsree Rajendra Cholathava, a copper kesarivanma with a mapperu tanda.
The message of this inscription is mentioned in the second line of the inscription on the south side of king Rajendra chola Temple Garbhagruga.
In this museum, Rajendra Chola is said to have helped the Cambodian kings to defeat their enemies. I am going to write about this in more detail the title Life, Fall and Rise of Cholas.
An information board in this exhibition stated that Rajendra Chola paid tribute to the Chinese emperors. I consider this to be a huge historical error. This cannot be accepted in any way. I rushed to the office of the organizers of the exhibition, who had revealed this false information, to discuss it in person. But I could not meet them then. How could the Cholas have bowed to the Chinese when there is no historical evidence that they bowed to anyone at any time? The Cholas only went to China for trade purposes and the Cholas were not cowards enough to submit to the Chinese. The Cholas never respected the Chinese at any time.
There are references that when Kulothunga I was a Chola prince, he went to China with a fleet and met them. But the fact remains that these two nations exchanged gifts with each other and never enslaved anyone. Because the Cholas conquered and ruled more countries than the Chinese. Only this one note in the museum was grossly misrepresented.
Although the Chinese had a much larger fleet than the Tamils at that time, there is no historical record of conquering any country. There is no historical evidence to prove that the Cholas who conquered many countries lived in subjugation to the Chinese. I am deeply saddened to see such misinformation out there.
If the Chinese were superior in military strength, then why did the Chinese, who were in trade relations with Sri Vijaya during that period, not counter-attack against the Cholas when Rajendra Chola invaded and won Sri Vijaya? If the Cholas were submissive to the Chinese then there must have been a counter-attack, which itself meant that the Chinese were afraid of touching the Cholas.
Another museum in Singapore is at Sentosa.The museum has details of the ships used during that period. 99% percent of which the Chinese excelled in the naval force It is said. But there is no mention of Rajendra Chola’s military prowess, navy or trade, who brought Singapore under his rule.
Because the Chinese people are majority in Singapore. Tamil people live as minority. It has been the norm even today for the minority to be undervalued by those in the majority. But no one can hide history at any point of time.
It is very awe-inspiring to think of the bravery of our Tamils in ancient times,who are ready for war at any moment. I have uploaded the photos taken at the museum on this page for you to see. Feel free to share any information and doubts regarding this with me. This completes the information about the Singapore Museum.
From now on, in my next post titled Life, Fall and Rise of the Cholas, I am obliged to tell you in detail about the countries conquered by the Cholas, the trade of the Cholas and the hardships they encountered . Let us meet again on the topic of the life, fall and rise of the Cholas. The Journey continues…..