Chola Naval Bases and the Bay of Bengal Empire

The Chola Empire: How South India Dominated the Indian Ocean — Fexingo History · Sep 27, 2026 · 7m · transcript

While earlier episodes explored the Chola navy’s campaigns and merchant guilds, we now turn to the infrastructure that made such dominance possible. This episode examines how Rajaraja I transformed Nagapattinam into a fortified naval headquarters and established a network of supply bases across the Indian Ocean. We look at the archaeological evidence of Chola-style temples in Srivijaya, the strategic importance of the Gulf of Mannar, and how these outposts functioned as both religious centers and military logistics hubs. By understanding the physical footprint of Chola power, we see how an…