Historical Overview Section

The Chola dynasty was one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the history of southern India. The earliest datable references to this Tamil dynasty are in inscriptions from the 3rd century BCE left by Ashoka, of the Maurya Empire. As one of the Three Crowned Kings of Tamilakam, the dynasty continued to govern over varying territory until the 13th century CE.

The heartland of the Cholas was the fertile valley of the Kaveri River, but they ruled a significantly larger area at the height of their power from the later half of the 9th century till the beginning of the 13th century. The whole country south of the Tungabhadra was united and held as one state for a period of two centuries and more. Under Rajaraja Chola I and his successors Rajendra Chola I, Rajadhiraja Chola, Virarajendra Chola and Kulothunga Chola I the dynasty became a military, economic and cultural power in South Asia and South-East Asia.

15mm Manufacturers supplying figures for this army

An interesting one for figures. A mix of later Arabs, Kushans and classical Indians tends to get used for this army, lurking into Moghul ranges later in the period.

Army Lists

Sample army lists for this army

200 point Britcon Second 2022 (V4)
1010 Chola
Ordinary Included
1 War Elephant (incl general) Elephant Elite
2 War Elephant Elephant Elite
2 Warriors Medium swordsmen impact
2 Light Infantry Javelin Light infantry javelin
2 Light Infantry Bow Light infantry bow
1 Archers Bowmen
==
Ordinary Included
1 War Elephant (incl general) Elephant Elite
2 War Elephant Elephant Elite
2 Warriors Medium swordsmen impact
2 Light Infantry Javelin Light infantry javelin
2 Light Infantry Bow Light infantry bow
1 Archers Bowmen
==
Hindu Ally, Ordinary Included
1 War Elephant (incl General) Elephant Elite
1 War Elephant Elephant Elite
2 Bowmen Bowmen Mediocre


200 point Britcon Winner 2022 (V4)
981 Chola
Brilliant
2 Elephant Elite
2 Guardsmen Medium swordsmen impact Elite
2 Light infantry javelin
2 Light infantry bow
2 Warriors Medium swordsmen impact
1 Bowmen
1 Bowmen Mediocre
==
Competent Included
2 Elephant Elite
3 Medium swordsmen impact
2 Light infantry javelin
1 Light infantry bow
2 Levy
==
Ally, Ordinary Included
1 Elephant Elite
2 Medium swordsmen impact
1 Light infantry bow



300 Point Doubles Burton 2022 (V4)
Elephant included General Ordinary
1 LF Bow
2 M/Sword Impetuous
1 Mediocre Bow
1 LF Javelin
==
4 El(S)
2 LF Bow
2 LF Javelin
3 MF Impact Sword Elite
1 LF Bow
Brilliant General
==
2 El(S) (included Ordinary General)
2 MF Impact Elite Swordsmen
1 LF Bow
1 LF Javelin
==
2 El
3 MF Sword Impact
1 Bw (O)
1 Bw(I)
2 LF Bow
Competent General


121 Beltway Tamil Indian USTT 2020
Brillaint
2 Elephants Elephant ------
2 Guardsmen Medium swordsmen impact Elite
2 Bowmen Bowmen ------
2 LI bow Light infantry bow ------
2 Chariots Light chariot bow ------
==
Ordinary Included
2 Elephants Elephant
2 Warriors Medium swordsmen impetuous
2 LI Javelins Light infantry javelin
==
Ordinary
2 Elephant Elephant
2 Warriors Medium swordsmen impetuous
2 LI Javelins Light infantry javelin
2 Bowmen Bowmen

121 Tamil w/Hindu Ally, Noodlers
Competent
2 Elephant Elephant ------
2 Guardsmen Medium swordsmen impact Elite
2 Warriors Medium swordsmen impetuous ------
2 Tribal auxilaries Light infantry javelin ------
2 Bowmen Bowmen ----
==
Ordinary, included, Unreliable
1 Elephant (gen) Elephant ------
2 Chariots w/ 2 horses Light chariot bow ------
2 Bowmen Bowmen Mediocre
1 Tribal auxiliaries Light infantry javelin ----
1 Indian horsemen Medium cavalry Mediocre
==
Competent Hindu Ally
2 Elephant Elephant Elite
2 Warriors Medium swordsmen impetuous ------
2 Auxiliaries Light infantry javelin ------
1 Indian horsemen Medium cavalry ------
2 Bowmen Bowmen Mediocre


121 Tamill (Aynsley - Britcon 2019)
Ordinary Unreliable
2 War Elephant Elephant
2 Swordsmen Medium swordsmen impetuous
2 LF Javelins
2 Bowmen Bowmen Mediocre
1 Chariots Light Chariot Bow ------
==
Ordinary unreliable
2 War Elephant Elephant ------
2 Swordsmen Medium swordsmen impetuous ------
2 Light Infantry Javelin Light Infantry Javelin ------
1 Archers Bowmen
1 Chariots Light Chariot Bow ------
==
Ordinary Unreliable
2 War Elephant Elephant ------
3 Swordsmen Medium swordsmen impetuous ------
2 Light Infantry Bow ------
3 Peasants and Servants Levy

121 Tamil Chola (Finnigan - Britcon 2019)
Brilliant
2 War Elephant Elephant
4 Swordsmen Medium swordsmen impetuous
2 Bowmen
2 Light infantry Javelin
1 Mediocre Cavalry
==
Competent Included
2 War Elephant Elephant ------
3 Swordsmen Medium swordsmen impact ------
2 Light Infantry Bow ------
2 Bowmen Bowmen Mediocre
==
Ordinary Included
1 War Elephant Elephant ------
2 Swordsmen Guards Medium swordsmen impact ------
2 Light Infantry Javelin Light infantry javelin ------
1 Levy

USTT Bandits list 2019
3 Elephants Elephant
4 Warriors Medium swordsmen impetuous
2 Bowmen Bowmen
3 Javelinmen Light infantry javelin
Brilliant
==
2 Elephants Elephant ------
2 Warriors Medium swordsmen impetuous ------
1 Bowmen Bowmen ------
2 Light Infantry bow Light infantry bow ------
1 Bowmen Bowmen Mediocre
Ordinary
==
1 Elephant Elephant ------
2 Guardsmen Medium swordsmen impact Elite
1 Javelinmen Light infantry javelin ------
1 Bowmen Bowmen ------
Ordinary Included