The earliest records of India’s maritime history are found in the Vedic literature, but the first instances of naval wars are only found during the Cholas reign over southern India.

When the two other Tamil dynasty - the Pandyas and Cheras allied with the SriLankan kingdom (1/3)

of Sinhalas against the Cholas, Rajaraja I defeated the Chera navy at Kandalur, perhaps to break the their monopoly in trade. Tamil inscriptions from his rule draw a record of his victory.

Certain details of raid are available in Tanjore inscription of his son Rajendra. (2/3)

While Raja Raja Chola was the first king with a naval fleet, his successor Rajendra continued the expansion of the empire in the far East. (3/3)