It was one of the main states of the ancient Dakshinapath, other two were – Pandyas and Chera. In Ashoka’s edicts this state is described in the form of an independent state. People of Chola state were Tamil speakers. They encouraged writing of high quality literature in Tamil language ‘Kural’ written by Tirvalluver is an excellent example. Karikal (100 B.C.) was a Chola king, who founded the foundation of Puhar or Pugar nagar. He fought war with Singhalas and constructed 100 miles long dam at the bank of the river kaveri by the prisoners. He took capital of Cholas from Uraspur (Uryur) to Kaveripattnam. Aditya successor and son of Chola king Vijayalaya (880-907 A.D.) defeated Pallava king Aprajita. Parantaka I, son of Aditya completely ruined the power of the Pallavas. He also took control over Madurai, capital of Pandyas.

Chola took ahead the architecture of Pallavas. The chariacterstics of Cholas Dravida style temple art are – Square Viman, Mandapa, Gopuram Varihad Sadan with artistic pillars, for decoration traditional Lion (Chali), Bracket and joint pillars etc.

Chalukya Dynasty : Pulkeshin I descendant of Chalukya dynasty and did Ashwamegha Yagya. The Chalukyas of Vatapi ruled over (550 A.D. – 757 A.D.) except a gap of 13 years of their obstacles (642 – 655 A.D.) Among Chalukya kings. Pulkeshin II is the most famous. He became the king in 608 A.D. Expansion of his kingdom was in the North from Narmada to Kaveri in the south. He was defeated by Pallava king Narsingh Verma in 642 A.D. Vikramaditya I son of Pulkishen reestablished the glory of Chalukya power. In 973 A.D. Chalukya king Vikramaditya II defeated Rashtrakut king and made Kalyani his capital and established a new Chalukya power from 973 – 1200 A.D. This state of Chalukyas had a continued struggle for a long period with Cholas of Tanjore, Chalukya king named Satyashrya was defeated by Chola king Rajraja, Someshwar I of Chalukya Dynasty not only took revenge of this insult by defeating very badly King Rajadhiraj in Kappam war but he killed Rajadhiraja in this war. Vikramadityashashtha 7th king, who was with the name Vikramank took control over Kanchi and gave protection to famous poet Vilhana. Vilhana wrote a Grantha named Vikramankdev Charitam based on Vikramaditya’s life. Though Chalukya kings of Vatapi and Kalyani were Hindus but gave shelter to Budha and Jain religion.

Chalukya kings built many temples. The author of the Vyakhya of Yagyavalakya’s Smriti ‘ Mitaakshra’ famous Vidhivetta Vigyaneshwar lived in the capital of Chalukyas, Kalyani. Mitakshra is considered the Adhikarik Grantha of Hindu Law.