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Podcast: Listen To Devi Yesodharan Talk About The Powerful Chola Empire

Swarajya In-Depth

Oct 15, 2017, 12:22 PM | Updated 12:22 PM IST


Swarajya In-Depth with Devi Yesodharan
Swarajya In-Depth with Devi Yesodharan

Unusual for Indian empires, the Cholas had a powerful navy. Rajendra Chola, an ambitious emperor, conquered almost all of South India and the country’s eastern coast. He later ventured into the seas to gain hold of Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia.

While reading this fascinating piece of history, Devi Yesodharan got interested in the times and tales of the kingdom, which eventually led her to pen her first novel, Empire.



Devi Yesodharan’s first novel, <i>Empire</i>.
Devi Yesodharan’s first novel, <i>Empire</i>.

Empire, a work of historical fiction, is a war tale which recreates in fine detail the Chola period. Drawing parallels with her exploration of the literature on the Cholas, most of which is in Tamil and hence accessible solely through translations, the author provides an outsider’s view through the eyes of Aremis, a Greek female warrior.

Swarajya sat down with Devi Yesodharan to talk about the Cholas, historical fiction in India and the breaking of stereotypes.

In-Depth with Devi Yesodharan

In conversation with Devi Yesodharan on a gripping new historical novel about the mightiest king of 11th century India - and his female bodyguard


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