The economic and political power of the Chola Empire was primarily strengthened by maritime trade networks. The Cholas were known for their extensive naval power and trade routes across Southeast Asia, which facilitated commerce and cultural exchange. This maritime trade allowed them to control trade in the Indian Ocean and establish prosperous trading relationships with other regions, contributing to their wealth and influence.
While new agricultural techniques and other factors may have played a role in their overall development, it was the mastery of maritime trade that significantly enhanced their economic and political standing both regionally and internationally.