The Tirukkural as a Tool to Understand the Statecraft of the Chola Empire

Abstract This paper employs the Tirukkural as an analytical framework to study the statecraft of the Chola Empire, one of the longest-ruling thalassocratic dynasties in global history. The work provides a systematic approach to understanding governance, with particular emphasis on statecraft, interstate relations, and the monarchy of the Cholas, whose political influence spanned both Southern India and Southeast Asia. By examining the key precepts of the Tirukkural, this study seeks to examine pivotal moments in Chola history, notably the Chola expedition to Srivijaya. These military ventures, set against the backdrop of generally peaceful relations between India—particularly Southern India—and Southeast Asia, present a persistent historical conundrum. Through a critical analysis of the Tirukkural’s guiding principles, the paper assesses the text’s explanatory utility in understanding Chola political strategy. In doing so, it underscores the continued relevance of the Tirukkural as a potent tool for analysing the political dynamics of one of the most influential empires in the history of the Indian subcontinent.