The Navy that ruled the indian ocean for 1500 years

Añadido: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]Before European empires, one navy shaped the Indian Ocean for 15 centuries, the Cholas of South India.

[00:00:08]From around the 9th through the 13th century, they built shipyards, taxed sea trade, and launched blue water fleets. But they were heirs to older Tamil and Chera mariners, and rivals to Arab, Persian, and later Chinese fleets.

[00:00:23]The Cholas peaked under Rajendra Chola, raiding Srivijaya, protecting trade routes, and projecting power from the Bay of Bengal to Southeast Asia.

[00:00:32]Their legacy, a maritime network that knit Africa, India, and the Spice Islands.