Kalki Krishnamurthy wrote the historical tale Ponniyin Selvan. It is based on the life of Rajaraja Chola, a Tamil Chola ruler who is one of India’s most well-known emperors. The book is organised into five sections, each representing a different time period in Rajaraja Chola’s life.
Rajaraja’s early years as a prince are covered in the first section, “The Prince of Cholas.” The second section, “The Warrior,” details Rajaraja’s military operations and rise to power. In the third section, “The Emperor,” Rajaraja’s rule, his leadership, and his numerous accomplishments are covered. Rajendra Chola, the son of Rajaraja, rebels against his father and attempts to steal the kingdom in the fourth part, “The Rebel.”
