Tamil Nadu goes to polls next year, and the legacy of a king who ruled over 1000 years ago is now taking centre stage in the state’s politics. Both the opposition BJP and the ruling DMK are vying with each other to highlight the achievements of the Chola dynasty, which was known for its maritime conquests and its sway over much of Southeast Asia, particularly the exploits of Rajendra Chola 1, son of Raja Raja Chola. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent high-profile visit to Thanjavur, the ancient temple town that represents Chola culture and Tamil pride, where he announced a slew of infrastructure projects, was obviously aimed at wooing Tamil voters who have hitherto proved elusive for the BJP. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the BJP had made a concerted move to target the........

© Free Press Journal