Chola Navy - Timeline of Events

Timeline of Events

The major events which had direct impact in the development of the Chola Naval capability are listed here, which is in no case comprehensive. But, some of the events had deep impact nevertheless.

Archeological evidence: The dated excavations,

• 3000 BCE - Dugboats were found in Arikamedu, what is now in Puducherry.
• 2400 BCE - Highly functional port is in operation in Lothal of what is now Gujarat.
• 700 BCE - The first mention of the word Yavana in pottery around korkai.(meaning Greeks or Romans)
• 300 BCE - A load-stone compass with Chinese inscriptions is found off the coast of Kaaveripoompatnam.
• 100 BCE - A settlement of Tamil/Pakrit speaking merchants founded in Rome.
• Late 1st century BCE - Roman glass was found in southern coastal regions of Tamilnadu.

Literary references and recordings

• 356-321 BCE: The Periplus of Niarchus, an officer of Alexander the Great, describes the Persian coast. Niarchus commissioned thirty oared galleys to transport the troops of Alexander the Great from northwest India back to Mesopotamia, via the Persian Gulf and the Tigris, an established commercial route.
• 334-323 BCE: Eratosthenes, the librarian at Alexandria, drew a map which includes Sri Lanka and the mouth of the Ganges. Which states the exchange of traffic and commodity in the regions.
• 207-190 BCE: In a puranaanuru song, there is an advice for enterprising soldiers, which when translated literally comes to "He should ride the horse like the Phalavas, Muster the elephant like cherals, and must organize the defense of a fort like the Yavanas, this brings to light the existence of Roman settlements.
• 1st century BCE : When Vennikkuyithiar mentions about Karikala, he mentions several class of inland vessels by Name some are Kalam, Punai & Patri.