There was no practice of recording history during the Chola period, but Ashoka’s inscriptions talk about the Cholas. Elara and Karikala Chola were two important Chola kings; Elara conquered Sri Lanka in 2nd century BC following which, Karikala Chola built Puhar, a large port that acted as a centre of trade.
The name Karikala meant ‘elephant feller’ or ‘charred leg’. He was very rich; the tale of a poet who received a gift of 1,600,000 gold pieces from Karikala Chola is famous.
Another Chola king, Kochchenganan is mentioned in Kalavali by Poygayar. He fought a battle with the Chera king Kanaikkal lrumporai following which the latter was imprisoned. Poygayar, who was a friend of the Chera king, wrote a poem praising Kochchenganan’s battle; Kochchenganan was pleased with the poem and freed the prisoner! The Chola monarchs were good administrators; they were friendly to the subjects and therefore approachable. Justice was meted out directly by the king on most occasions. Chola kings often took to the battlefield in person. They also had good trade relations with the Roman Empire.
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