Port · The Chola empire of Kulottunga III · as at first light, 1 January 1200

Mamallapuram

A small port on the Coromandel coast south of Mylapore with the seventh-century Pallava shore temple and rock-cut monuments.

By 1200 it is a village and a minor landing, kept by the Chola administration; the great days of Pallava trade are over. The Shore temple stands near the sea; erosion of the coast is old.

Who holds it

Name
The Chola governor of Tondaimandalam
Title
see the lord or tenant line below
Born
not known
Confidence
low

Lord in 1200

The Chola governor of Tondaimandalam

How things stand that morning

A small port and monuments; the shore temple survives.

Places of note

  • Tirukalukundram: Vedagiriswarar hill temple.
  • Tirumukkudal: Temple town near Kanchi, with a Chola hospital inscription of 1069.
  • Marakanam salt pans: Coastal salt pans.

Where the sources disagree

Evidence: Short secondary sources only; no dated record of the person or office for 1200.

Primary sources for Chola empire

Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.

4 more in the sources library for Southern India and Sri Lanka.

Sources and studies

  1. Mahabalipuram, English Wikipedia

Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.