Chola Navy

The Chola Navy was composed of ships used for transporting the land army overseas.The Cholas did not have a standing navy in the modern sense. The maritime force of Cholas was formed by using ships used for trade, as they did not have a dedicated ship for naval combat. Early maritime activity of the Cholas is associated with Elara (2nd century BCE), whose rule in Sri Lanka implies organized sea transport across the Palk Strait. Later, Karikala Chola is linked with the development of the port of Kaveripattinam (Puhar), reflecting structured maritime trade. Scholars note that these activities indicate naval capability, though not a permanent standing navy in the modern sense.

Early evidence of Chola maritime activity is associated with Ellalan, who ruled parts of Sri Lanka in the mid-second century BCE, indicating cross-strait naval movement. Historians such as Romila Thapar and R. S. Sharma note that such expeditions required organized maritime transport. Maritime development is further linked to Karikala Chola (late 1st–early 2nd century CE), who is associated with the port city of Kaveripattinam (Puhar). His reign reflects expanding overseas trade and sustained contact with Sri Lanka. Scholars, however, distinguish this early naval activity from a permanent standing navy in the modern sense.

The Cholas were at the height of their power from the latter half of the 9th century CE through the early 13th century CE. Between 1010 and 1153 CE, Rajaraja's successors continued the expansion, making the Chola Empire a military, economic and cultural power in South and South-East Asia. During this period, the Chola Navy helped expand the empire with Naval expeditions to the Pala of Pataliputra, along the Ganges and the Chola invasion of Srivijaya (present-day Indonesia) in 1025 CE, as well as repeated embassies to China. The Chola Navy declined in the 13th century when the Cholas fought land battles with the Chalukyas of Andhra-Kannada area in South India, and with the rise of the Pandyan dynasty.