Indian Rulers
Karikala Chola
Hero of Venni
Karikala Chola was an Indian king active in the 2nd c. AD during the Kushan period from the state of Chola. Died of natural causes.
Historical Note
Greatest of the early Cholas. Defeated an alliance of Chera and Pandya at Venni, then built the Kallanai (Grand Anicut) on the Kaveri — a dam still in service after eighteen centuries. The first great king of Tamil literature.