HST 197 Chapter Notes - Chapter 16: Middle Kingdoms Of India, Chola Dynasty, Coromandel Coast
Document Summary
Southern part of the indian subcontinent escaped the invasions, chronic wars, and turmoil that troubled the north. Competition between states sometimes resulted in regional wars, but southern conflicts were less frequent or intense. 2 kingdoms expanded enough to exercise at least nominal rule over much of southern. Ruled from coromandel coast for more than 4 centuries. Chola forces conquered ceylon and parts of southeast asia. Financed by profits of trade, the chola navy dominated the waters from south china sea to the arabian sea. Chola rulers did not build a tightly centralized government. They allowed for considerable amounts of autonomy for local and villages institutions as long as they maintained order and delivered tax revenues on time. They had less interest in ruling a state than they did for the profits that could be made from trade in the indian basin. The chola realm didn"t entirely collapse, but it was significantly reduced in size and power.
