Chola Empire

State · 850–1259 CE · at its largest around 1028 CE

A Tamil dynasty revived in the 9th century that became a major South Indian and maritime power under Rajaraja I and Rajendra I, ruling from Thanjavur.

On its lands while it lasted

Chola Empire revived (c. 848–1279 CE): Vijayalaya Chola took Thanjavur around 848, beginning the imperial Chola period in which the dynasty dominated southern India and the Bay of Bengal.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram (c. 850 CE): Capital of Chola Empire (850–1259).
Rajaraja I (c. 947 CE – 1014 CE): Chola emperor who expanded the empire across southern India and Sri Lanka and built the great temple at Thanjavur.
Chola bronze of Shiva Nataraja (c. 1000 CE): Chola artisans around Thanjavur cast bronze images of Shiva as Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance, framed by a ring of flames. Made by the lost-wax method, they are among the best-known works of Indian sculpture.
Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur (1010 CE): Monumental granite Hindu temple completed in 1010 under Rajaraja I, a masterpiece of Chola architecture.
Polonnaruwa (c. 1072 CE): Capital of Kingdom of Polonnaruwa (1072–1236).
Halebidu (c. 1111 CE): Capital of Hoysala Kingdom (1111–1343).
Warangal (c. 1177 CE): Capital of Kakatiya Dynasty (1177–1323).
Dambadeniya (c. 1236–1293 CE): Capital of Kingdom of Dambadeniya (1236–1293).