Latest / The Chola Empire: How South India Dominated the Indian Ocean — Fexingo History
Chola Temple Economy and the Kudavolai System
While earlier episodes have explored the Cholas’ naval power and military campaigns, this episode shifts focus to the administrative engine that made such expansion possible: the temple economy. We examine how the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur functioned not just as a spiritual center, but as a massive economic hub employing thousands of artisans, dancers, and priests. Lucas walks us through the intricate system of land grants, tax revenues, and daily management that turned religious devotion into state infrastructure. Luna guides the conversation toward the famous Kudavolai system, a…
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