Whitney Cox is an Associate Professor in the Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago. His principal interest lies in Sanskrit language and literature, pre-modern Tamil, and in the cultural, political and social history of far southern India. He has been a member of the Collegium of the Berlin-based Zukunftsphilologie project since 2011 and has held awards from Fulbright-Hayes, the British Academy, and the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council.

'At once profoundly erudite, engaging to read, and methodologically innovative, Whitney Cox's book reveals the inner dynamics of the Chola state-system through a close study of one major king and fine-grained, sensitive readings of the inscriptions and literary classics that were produced at his court. In short: a remarkable book, rich in insight, about one of the most remarkable periods in South Asian history.' David Shulman, Hebrew University, Jerusalem

• Figures; Acknowledgements; Note on the transliteration and presentation of texts; Abbreviations; Introduction; 1. Râjiga, before 1070; 2. Râjendracola, June 1070–May 1074; 3. Kulottunga: the King and the Poets, ca.1087–1115; 4. The Emperor of the Three Worlds and the Lord of the Little Shrine; Conclusions; Notes; Bibliography.

Whitney Cox is an Associate Professor in the Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago. His principal interest lies in Sanskrit language and literature, pre-modern Tamil, and in the cultural, political and social history of far southern India. He has been a member of the Collegium of the Berlin-based Zukunftsphilologie project since 2011 and has held awards from Fulbright-Hayes, the British Academy, and the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council.

'At once profoundly erudite, engaging to read, and methodologically innovative, Whitney Cox's book reveals the inner dynamics of the Chola state-system through a close study of one major king and fine-grained, sensitive readings of the inscriptions and literary classics that were produced at his court. In short: a remarkable book, rich in insight, about one of the most remarkable periods in South Asian history.' David Shulman, Hebrew University, Jerusalem

• Figures; Acknowledgements; Note on the transliteration and presentation of texts; Abbreviations; Introduction; 1. Râjiga, before 1070; 2. Râjendracola, June 1070–May 1074; 3. Kulottunga: the King and the Poets, ca.1087–1115; 4. The Emperor of the Three Worlds and the Lord of the Little Shrine; Conclusions; Notes; Bibliography.

Whitney Cox is an Associate Professor in the Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago. His principal interest lies in Sanskrit language and literature, pre-modern Tamil, and in the cultural, political and social history of far southern India. He has been a member of the Collegium of the Berlin-based Zukunftsphilologie project since 2011 and has held awards from Fulbright-Hayes, the British Academy, and the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council.

'At once profoundly erudite, engaging to read, and methodologically innovative, Whitney Cox's book reveals the inner dynamics of the Chola state-system through a close study of one major king and fine-grained, sensitive readings of the inscriptions and literary classics that were produced at his court. In short: a remarkable book, rich in insight, about one of the most remarkable periods in South Asian history.' David Shulman, Hebrew University, Jerusalem

• Figures; Acknowledgements; Note on the transliteration and presentation of texts; Abbreviations; Introduction; 1. Râjiga, before 1070; 2. Râjendracola, June 1070–May 1074; 3. Kulottunga: the King and the Poets, ca.1087–1115; 4. The Emperor of the Three Worlds and the Lord of the Little Shrine; Conclusions; Notes; Bibliography.