Chola Temple Inscriptions: The Economy of Stone

The Chola Empire: How South India Dominated the Indian Ocean — Fexingo History · Nov 1, 2026 · 7m · transcript

We step away from the warships and naval campaigns to examine the Chola Empire’s most enduring legacy: its temples. While earlier episodes covered the Brihadeeswarar Temple and royal inscriptions, this episode focuses on the granular reality of temple economies through stone records. We explore how the Cholas managed vast land grants, labor obligations, and artisan guilds using epigraphic evidence. You will hear about the Kudavolai system for managing temple assets, the role of the Nagarathar merchant class in funding rituals, and the complex social hierarchy enforced by temple endowments…