Gangaikonda Cholapuram
To commemorate his celebrated military conquests over the Chalukyas, their subordinates and feudatories like the Hoysalas, Nolamba Pallavas, Uchhangi Pandyas etc., the Paramaras or Maharashtra/Gujarat area, Palas of Bengal, Ilam, Madurai and the Cheras as well as his famed northern campaign to the Ganges, Rajendra assumed the title of Gangaikonda Cholan and other famous titles like Mudigondasozhan, Irattapadikonda Sozhan among scores of other titles of his and had the Siva Temple Gangaikondacholapuram built and consecrated. Soon after this, the capital was moved from Thanjavur to Gangaikondacholapuram. Rajendra probably founded the city of Gangaikondacholapuram before his 17th year.
Most of the Chola kings who succeeded Rajendra were crowned here. They retained it as their capital, reoriented and trained the efficient Chola army. It is not known whether the capital was moved to the new location for strategic purposes, as the old capital Thanjavur had very strong fortifications.
Read more about this topic: Rajendra Chola I