page_title: Chola Navy
hierarchical_section_title: Chola Navy
caption_attribution_description: English: A mural depicting the siege of the Kedah, the invaders are the Cholas. This picture shows the first usage of the flamethrower used by Indians. Chola Navy
context_page_description: The Chola Navy comprised the naval forces of the Chola Empire along with several other naval-arms of the country. The Chola navy played a vital role in the expansion of the Chola Empire, including the conquest of the Ceylon islands and naval raids on Sri Vijaya. The Cholas were one of the most powerful empires of all time with the strongest navy of any Indian power and probably the only thalassocracy from India.
  The navy grew both in size and status during the Medieval Cholas reign. The Chola Admirals commanded much respect and prestige in the society. The navy commanders also acted as diplomats in some instances. From 900 to 1100, the navy had grown from a small backwater entity to that of a potent power projection and diplomatic symbol in all of Asia, but was gradually reduced in significance when the Cholas fought land battles for subjugating the Chalukyas of Andhra-Kannada area in South India.
context_section_description: The Chola Navy (Tamil: சோழர் கடற்படை; Cōḻar kadatpadai) comprised the naval forces of the Chola Empire  along with several other naval-arms of the country. The Chola navy played a vital role in the expansion of the Chola Empire, including the conquest of the Ceylon islands and naval raids on Sri Vijaya (present-day Indonesia). The Cholas were one of the most powerful empires of all time with the strongest navy of any Indian power and probably the only thalassocracy from India.
  The navy grew both in size and status during the Medieval Cholas reign. The Chola Admirals commanded much respect and prestige in the society. The navy commanders also acted as diplomats in some instances. From 900 to 1100, the navy had grown from a small backwater entity to that of a potent power projection and diplomatic symbol in all of Asia, but was gradually reduced in  significance when the Cholas fought land battles for subjugating the Chalukyas of Andhra-Kannada area in South India.
caption: Depiction of the siege of Kedah, the battle between Beemasenan's Chola naval infantry and the defenders of Kedah fort.
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