An authoritative treasie on 12 generations of later chola history by a respected scholar. This book is THE MOST BASIC RESOURCE which kalki used for PS. After reading this - you'll be amazed how Kalki has used historic evidences with great imagination. For example, there is a passing reference to a old tamil song beginning "Sundara chozhar thinmaiyum vanappum ...etc.." Kalki will pull these lines out from the mouth of Buddha bikshu in choodamani viharam.
* The Cholas (English) - 3 vols by K.A.Neelakanda sastri - Madras university pub.
Another authoritative and detailed treasie by an eminent historian. I'm yet to read this book but I see many other authors quoting this work. Probably this was the first serious work on chola history by Indian authors.
Among the historians of Tamil history I place Dr.M.R above the rest. The way he presents the facts, his deep research in the subject are amazing. I'm yet to read this book but I've read his Pallavar varalaru. Awesome research ! This is meant for serious readers.
* The Chola temples (Eng) - by Archaeological survey of India
Simple yet elusive details on 3 main temples of chola times that survive till date.
* Pazhuvoor Pudhaiyalgal (Tamil) - by Dr.R.Kalai kovan - Saiva siddhantha noorpadhipu kazhagam.
Son of Dr.M.Rajamanickanar, Dr.R.Kalai kovan is one of the leading archaeologists currently in tamil nadu. His work on Pazhuvoor and its kings are absolutely wonderful.
That reminds me of something else. (Sorry for the deviation) Dr.R.Kalai kovan is having a small organization under his umbrella - called Dr.M.Rajamanickanar Institute of Hoistoric research. It's essentially a group of people interested in archaeology and who do excavations in co-ordination with Archaeological Survey of India. Frequently, this group's name will be apprearing in papers like Hindu. If any of you are interested in participating in live archaelogical digs involving chola times - you should join this group. It is in Trichy. I've been trying to locate this group's address for some time - shall be very grateful if one of you can identify this for the benifit of all !
* Recent books by Kudavail S.Balasubramaniam
This scholar has written wonderful books about cholas (Sorry, I don't have the titles now). He was working in Saraswathi Mahal library. Some of his recent finds are stunning. (For ex. how many of you know that Tanjore temple gopuram was fully plated with gold at the time of Rajaraja ? ) I think he has come out with some latest books and there was some mention about his works recently in The Hindu.
* There are also many other detailed books like "Rajarajeswaram", Chozhar valartha kalaigal" etc. etc.
Unfortulnately many of them are not available widely and sleeping in some dark corner in university libraries. We should think about doing something about it.
I also have references to many other historic titles - covering not just cholas but pallavas and pandiyas as well. If the group is interested I shall share them with pleasure.