Gangaikonda Cholapuram

History at a glance

1. 1010
   Rajaraja I completes the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur.
2. 1023
   Rajendra I conquers the Gangetic plains and takes the title Gangaikonda, taker of the Ganges.
3. 1020-1036 — CONTESTED
   Rajendra builds a new capital, the Brihadisvara temple at its centre, and the Chola Gangam lake, in celebration of the campaign.
4. 1068
   The earliest surviving inscription in the temple is cut, in the reign of Virarajendra.
5. 1166
   Rajaraja II completes the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram.
6. 1946
   The temple comes under ASI protection.
7. 1986 or 1987
   Thanjavur's Brihadisvara is inscribed as the Great Living Chola Temples, reference 250.
8. 2004
   Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram are added as extensions. The property becomes 250bis.

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