With reference to the Chola empire, consider the following statements

1. The Chola Empire was founded by Vijayalaya.
2. The political and ceremonial center of the Cholas was Thanjavur
3. The Bay of Bengal came to be known as the ‘Chola Lake’ as Cholas dominated the area with its powerful navy. 
4. 'Project Digital Poompuhar' has been launched to recreate the port city of Cholas.

Select the correct statement.

• The Chola Empire was founded by Vijayalaya. He took over the Tanjore kingdom in the 8th century and led to the rise of the mighty Cholas by defeating the Pallavas. 
• The Imperial Cholas ruled over most of South India for about four centuries i.e., 875 -1175 AD.
• The political and ceremonial center of the Cholas was Thanjavur. The Cholas linked themselves to the Solar dynasty. 
• The Cholas conquered parts of Gujarat, Malwa, Deccan and Indonesia, Lakshadweep, Maldives, and Sri Lanka in entirety. The Bay of Bengal came to be known as the ‘Chola Lake’ as they dominated the area with their powerful navy. 
• The entire coast from Kanyakumari to Bengal came to be captioned ‘Cholamandalam’. Coromandel is the anglicized name of Cholamandalam.
• The Chola rulers were not only mighty conquerors and great administrators but also great builders. 
• They were great patrons of art; during their reign, the most magnificent temples and exquisite bronze icons were created in South India.  These temples of Southern India represent outstanding creative achievement in the architectural conception of the pure form of the Dravida type of temple which is now known as the Great Living Chola Temples.
• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched ‘Project Digital Poompuhar’ to recreate the Chola Dynasty port city of Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu. 

Hence all statements are correct.

By: Shubham Tiwari