Paying glowing tributes to the military might and administrative acumen of Rajendra Chola I and his father Rajaraja Chola in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (July 27, 2025) said the heights reached by the emperors were a source of inspiration, providing an ancient road map for the country to become a developed nation.
“The economic and strategic advancements achieved during the Chola era remain a source of inspiration for modern India. To become a developed nation, we too must prioritise unity; strengthen our Navy and Defence forces and look for new opportunities, even while safeguarding our core values,” Mr. Modi said at the valediction of the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival marking the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola I at Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
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Mr. Modi released a commemorative coin in honour of Rajendra Chola I on the occasion. The king had built Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the ancient capital of the Imperial Cholas, along with the Brihadisvara Temple and the Cholagangam, a massive lake, after his victorious expedition to the Gangetic plains about 1,000 years ago.
The Prime Minister announced the Centre would install grand statues of the two emperors in Tamil Nadu, to serve as the pillars of country’s historical consciousness. “The legacy of Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola is synonymous with India’s identity and pride. The history and heritage of the Chola Empire proclaim the true potential of India,” he said.
