About the Book: In Lords of Earth and Sea: A History of the Chola Empire, award‑winning historian Anirudh Kanisetti brings to vibrant life the unexpected rise and remarkable reign of the coastal South Indian Chola Empire—from its roots in the Kaveri floodplain around 850 CE to its sweeping cultural, political and maritime dominance. Blending the grandeur of temple‑building, naval raids and dynastic ambition with the lived experiences of peasants, seafarers and temple devotees, Kanisetti goes beyond royal chronicles to explore what everyday life looked like under Chola rule. With hundreds of inscriptions and a rich narrative voice, this deeply researched history reframes the Cholas’ legacy in Indian history.