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Cholas.pdf
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- 3. Introduction • Great antiquity. •Rose to prominence again in 9th cent CE. • Known as: Chola, Choda, Cholda, Chodda • Aggressive imperialistic kings. • Patrons of Art & Architecture. • Growing Trade & Commerce • India’s contact with south east Asia. • Great administrators: Election system & Local self governance. • Became a military, economic and cultural power in Asia.
- 4. Antiquity of Cholas •Sangam age: 6th cent BCE-3rd cent CE • Sangam age to Vijayalaya : 300-850 CE • Vijayalaya line • Chalukya Chola line: Kulotunga 1070CE
- 5. Antiquity of Cholas:Citations • Referred to in Sangam literature. • Manimekhalai: Hometown of protagonist = Puhar. • Ashokan inscription: Mentions Chola, Chera, Pandya. • Katyayana: Aware of Cholas. • Jatakas: Story of one Akitti leaving for Kaverpattanam from Benaras. • Periplus of the Erythraean Sea: Mentions Pandyas, Cheras but not Cholas. • Ptolemy: Mentions ports & inland cities Uraiyur, Kaveripattanam, Arcot • Milindpanh: Out of best known ports in India, Cholapattanam figures. • Mahvamsa: Chola-Ceylon relations.
- 6. Origin myth • Tiruvalangadu:Name of mula purush = Chola • Kanyakumari inscription: Avent of one Choda to south India who summoned brahmans from Aryavarta and settled them on banks of Kaveri. He then cleared the forests, plated areca groves and made the county hospitable. • Original Homeland: The dynasty originated in the fertile valley of the Kaveri River
- 7. Origin • Mythical ancestry+ Legendary pedigree. • Tracing descent from sun though some kings of lunar genesis also mixed up in it. • Names of legendary kings: Manu, Ikshkvaku, Pruthu, Yuvanashav, Mandhata etc. • Anbil copper plate: Names of 15 such kings before Vijayalaya including Karikal, Killi, Koccenganan. • Tiruvalangadu copper plate: 44 names. • Kanyakumari inscription: 52 names. • No 2 lists are same. • K.A.N. Shashtri: Some of the names of the list are historical.
- 8. Caste of Cholas •Titles of Rajendra Chola. • Kshatriyashikhamani • Cholamartanda • Ravikulamartanda
- 9. Chola capitals • InitiallyUraiyur • Vijayalaya shifted capital to Tanjore. • Rajendra chola shifted capital to Gangaikondacholapuram. • Mundikondasholapuram = Special Capital in Srilanka • Kanchi was their sub capital.
- 10. Sources • Tiruvalangadu copperplates, Kanyakumari inscription, Lyden copper plates, Uttarmerur inscription, Brihadishwara temple inscriptions. • Ashokan inscription. • Coins. • Sangam literature, Jatakas, Milindapanh, Periyapuranam, Chullavamsa, Mahavamsa • Accounts of Periplus, Ptolemy, Chinese & Arab travellers, Marcopolo. • Art & Architectural remains.
- 11. Tiruvalangadu copper plates TheTamil portion of the grant consists of 524 lines engraved on twenty-one copper- plates
- 12. Uttarmerur inscription The earliestrecorded inscription referring to the election system around 1000 C.E
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- 38. Keeladi excavations: 6thcentury BCE and 1st cent CE
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- 42. Vijayalaya c.850-870CE • Pallavavassal • Udayendrium Plates: Battle of Sri Purambiyan • Pallava + Chola + Gangas vs. Pandyas • Pallavas through victorious, owed it more to their allies than to their own strength.
- 43. Conquest of Tanjore •Pallava overlord asked Vijayalaya to conquer Tanjore. • He instead acquired Tanjore for himself. • Tiruvalangadu copper plates: Acquired Tanjore from a samant family of Pandyas. • Tirukoyilloor inscription: Title Tanjaikonda, Parkesari • With a single stroke struck Pallavas and Pandyas. • Made Tanjore his capital. • Constructed Durga temple at Tanjore.
- 44. Aditya I (c.871-907CE) •S/O Vijayalaya. • Administrative-military exposure as Yuvaraja • Tiruvalandgadu copper plates: Overthrew Pallava Aparajita. • Kanyakumari inscription: Slew Aparajita. Title Kondanrama, Tondainaaddu • K.A.N.shashtri: Did so in 890 CE. • Took Tondamandalam. • Helped by Ganga king who later became his feudatory. • Chola boundaries touching Rashtrakuta kingdom.
- 45. Other achievements • WonKongu from Ganga king Prithvipati II. • Matrimonial alliance with Pallavas: Married a Pallava princess. • Matrimonial alliance with Rashtrakutas: Married daughter of Krishna II • Strengthened his political position. • Friendly relations with Cheras. • Ardent worshipper of Shiva: Constructed temple at Tanjore. • Got hold of Tadkkakaad city. • Titles: Rajkesari, Rajakesarivarman.
- 46. Parantak I (907-955CE) • A great militarist who had made extensive conquests. • Received a stable kingdom in succession: : Chennai to Kalhasti, Kaveri to Mysore. • Pallavas had declined: Pandayas busy in internal politics. • Religious but secular. • Utilized the spoils of war to donate to numerous temple charities. • Able administrator: Took measures to increase agricultural produce, constructed canals for irrigation. • Titles: Veeranarayana, Panditvatsala, Kunjarmalla, Parikesharivarman, Vidyanuraga etc
- 47. Chola-Rashtrakuta conflict • Fatherof Parantaka I married daughter of Krishna II Rashtrakuta. • Kannardeva = step brother of Parantaka I • Attempt by Rashtrakuta Krishna II to place his grandson Kannardeva on Chola throne. • Rashtrakuta + Bana (samanata) armies reached Tanjore. • Parantaka + Ganga samanta: successfully diffused Rashtrakuta threat. • Kanyakumari inscription: Parantaka took the title of Veerachola after defeating Krishnaraja.
- 48. Chola-Pandya conflict: StageI • Udayendriyum copper plates: Defeated Pandya king Rajsimha II & occupied Madurai. • Extended his boundaries to Kanyakumari. • Tiruvalandgadu inscription: Took the title Maduraikonda, Madurantaka.
- 49. Chola-Pandya conflict: StageII • Mahavamsa: Pandaya king sought help from Sri Lankan king Kassap V. • Kassap send an army in support of Rajasimha Pandya. • 915 CE: Pandya + Srilankan army vs. Cholas • Parantaka defeated the combined army & took the title Sangramraghava. • Mahavamsa: Pandya army was destroyed due to a pandemic & Kassap called back his army. • Chullavamsa: Took a decade to acquire whole of Pandya kingdom.
- 50. Chola-Pandya conflict: StageIII • Mahavamasa: Pandya king Rajasimha went to Sri Lanka. • Sri Lankan king Dappul IV promised to help him against Cholas: Could not do so. • Rajasimha had to flee Sri Lanka leaving behind his crown and other precious belongings. • Took shelter in Kerala. • Reason: ? • 920 CE: Parantaka attacked Madura & defeated & ousted Rajasimha from Kerala. • Parantaka decided to coronate himself in Madura: Sent army to Sri Lanka to bring back Pandya crown. • Sri Lankan king defeated this army.
- 51. Other victories • Banassided with Rashtrakutas during the early struggle of Parantaka. • So Paranataka defeated Banas. • Helped by Gang samant Prithvipati. • Bestowed title Banadhiraj, Hastimaharaja on Ganga king for his help. • Also defeated Vaidumbas of Renaad who were friends of Banas. • Vaidumads ruled : North Arcot, Guddapah and Nellore districts
- 52. Matrimonial alliances • Namesof his 11 queens known from inscriptions. • Assumed to have married two distinct Chera princesses .
- 53. Battle of Takkolam(949 CE) • Climax of the confrontation between the two imperials powers: Cholas & Rashtrakutas • Parantaka I + his son Rajaditya Vs. Rashtrakuta Krishna III + Butuga II ( western Ganga) + Banas + Vaidumbas • Leiden Grant + Tiruvalangadu Plates: Death of Rajaditya I on the battlefield. • Atakur inscription: Butuga II (Ganga King) killed Rajaditya I. • Krishna III occupied Tondamandalam. • Total collapse of Chola resistance after the battle of Takkolam. • The defeat at Takkolam reversed the substantial political gains made by Parantaka Chola in previous decades. • Opened the way for a period of multiple & disputed Chola accessions. • The Chola royals remained in confusion and perhaps continued a precarious political existence under the threat of Rashtrakuta invasion
- 54. Extent • Dominions comprisedalmost the whole of the Tamil country. • North: Pennar • South: Kanyakumari. • Area of influence: extended ill Nellore in A.P.
- 55. Gandaraditya (953-956 CE) •Defeated some enemies at Veerasholiyam. • K.A.N.Shastri: They were samantas of Krishna III. • Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi: one of the most powerful queens of Chola empire who over a period of sixty years constructed numerous temples and gave generous gifts to many temples. • Highly respected patron of the arts • Succeeded by Arinjaya who died quickly.
- 56. Sundar Chola (ParantakaII) 957-973CE • S/O Arinjai & Vaidumba Princess. • Arcot + Chingelput district: Chola inscriptions in greater number than Krishna III. • Took Tondamandalam back from Rashtrakutas. • Revolt of Pandyas : Veerpandya + Sri Lankan king vs. Sundar chola. • Sundar chola defeated the combined armies. • Pandya king forced to flee. • Sunadar chola then attacked Sri Lanka. • Result ? • Helped in his conquests by Kodumbaloor king. • Patron of Tamil & Sanskrit Language and Literature. • Queen Vaanvanmahadevi performed Sati upon his death.
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- 60. Uttam Chola • Sundarchola ruled as king & then made his son Aditya II heir apparent. • Uttam Chola claimed his right to Chola throne. • Aditya II assassinated under mysterious circumstances. • People wanted Rajaraj I (S/O Sunder chola) to be king. • But Rajaraja stepped aside and gave throne to Uttam chola. • c.980CE: Tailap (Kalyani Chalukya king) fought Chola king Uttamachola & defeated him. • Period of administrative reforms and stablilty. • After death of Uttam Chola, Chola throne occupied not by his son but by Rajaraja I
- 63. Rajaraja I (985-1014CE) •S/O Sundar chola and Vaanvanmahadevi. • First great ruler of Chola dynasty. • Functioned as Yuvaraj during his father’s reign. • Exposure to administrative and military responsibilities. • Made Cholas a superpower. • Period of cultural accomplishments as well.
- 64. Imperialistic campaign: Kerala& Pandyas
- 65. Imperialistic campaign: Kerala& Pandyas • Somewhere between 989-992CE: Attacked Kerala. • Tanjore inscription: Defeated Kerala king Bhaskararavivarman in Kaandloor (Trivandrum). • Took the title Kaandloor Shalaikkalmarutta. • Tiruvalandgadu copper plates: Won Pandya capital, captured Vilinda fort & imprisoned Pandya ruler Amarbhujanga. • Victory somewhere before 992 CE.
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- 69. Imperialistic campaign: WesternGangas • Rajaraja’s inscription of 6th regnal year: Defeated kings of Gangawadi, Nolamwadi, Tadigaipaadi. • These were under western Gangas. • These remained under Chola dominion till 1117 CE.
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- 71. Imperialistic campaign: Srilanka •Mahendra V king of Sri Lanka faced internal conflicts: fled his capital. • Tiruvalangadu copper plates: Mighty Chola naval force crossed the sea & destroyed the power of Sri Lankan king. • Mahavamsa: doesn’t refer to this victory. • Tirumagal inscription: Verifies. Compares him with Lord Rama.
- 72. Rajaraja I’s coinsfrom Sri Lanka
- 73. Sri Lankan Victory •Northern Sri Lanka became a part of Chola kingdom & renamed as Maamundisholamandalam. • Rajaraja I made Polonnaruva as his capital and constructed many temples there. • Brihadishwar temple inscriptions: Rajaraja I gave several villages in Sri Lanka in grant for Brihadeshwar temple. • Strategy of ruthless plunder and destruction of major political and religious centers on the island. • Culavamsa: The capital at Anuradhapura was "utterly destroyed in every way by the Chola army” • Establishment of semi-permanent and fortified encampments, from where wide-ranging raids could be carried out in other parts of the island
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- 75. Imperialistic campaign: KalyaniChalukyas: Stage I • Kalyani Chalukya King: Tailap II (c.957?-997) • 992 CE inscription of Tailap: Kalyani Chalukya Tailap defeated Chola emperor & took 150 Chola elephants. • Contemporary Chola king = Rajaraja I.
- 76. Imperialistic campaign: KalyaniChalukyas: Stage II • Kalyani Chalukya King: Satyasharya (c.997-1008CE) • 1003 CE inscription of Rajaraja I: Rajaraja acquired Rattapadi (Kalyani Chalukya area). • No evidence for Chola control of Rattapadi. • Tiruvalangadu copper plate: Chalukya king scared of mighty army of Rajaraj, fled the battlefield and became Kashtashraya instead of Satyashrya. • Karandai copper plate: Bloody battle fought at Tungbhadra banks. • Hottur inscription: Rajendra I, S/O Rajaraja attacked & looted Donur (Bijapur) with an army of 9 lakh soldiers. He killed Brahmins, females & children & raped maidens = blurring the moralities of war as laid out in the Dharmashastras. • Aftermath: Chola control extended till Tungabhadra.
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- 78. Imperialistic campaign: Chalukyasof Vengi • Friendly relation with Chalukyas of Vengi. • Helped king Shaktivarman to ascend Vengi throne not once but twice. • Brother of Shaktivarman = Bhim I • Bhim I + Kalyani Chalukyas vs. Shaktivarman + Rajaraja I • Rajaraja I victorious. • Also won Kalinga. • Rajaraja I married his daughter with a brother of Shaktivarman. • Vengi became a subordinate kingdom under Cholas.
- 79. Imperialistic campaign: Maldives •A naval campaign led to the conquest of the Maldives Islands. • Demonstration of the Chola naval power in the Indian Ocean. • Not much details available. • Jhon Keay: Rajaraja is supposed to have conquered twelve thousand old islands... a phrase meant to indicate the Maldives. • Romila Thapar: Essential to the Chola control over trade with Southeast Asia and with Arabia and eastern Africa.
- 80. Other Achievements • Efficientcentralized and local self governance. • 1000CE: Survey for agricultural lands & arrangements for irrigation. • Strict + high taxation policy: Rate 1/3 of produce • Generous justice system. • Strong navy and army. • Patron of art and architecture • Constructed Rajarajeshwar temple (Brihadishwar temple) at Tanjore. • Religiously tolerant: Constructed temples for Shiva, Vishnu, Buddha. • Issued many coins. • Titles: Srilankaveer, Shivapadshekhar, Keralantaka, Telingkulkaal, Cholanityavinoda, Ravikulamanikya etc
- 84. Rajendra Chola (1014-1044) •1012 CE: Appointed as co regent. • 1014CE: Accession • 1018 CE: installed his eldest son Rajadhiraja Chola I as the crown prince. • Well exposed and well versed in royal responsibilities and duties. • Led military campaigns during the reign of his father. • Turned the mighty empire he received in succession to even greater empire. • Established Indian power in Sri Lanka and South East Asia. • Titles: Parakesari, Yuddhamalla, Mummudi, Gangai Kondan, Kadaram Kondan
- 85. Imperialistic campaigns Rajendra Chola in Battle,Kolaramma Temple, Kolar
- 86. Imperialistic campaign: Kalyani Chalukyas StageI • Kalyani Chalukya king = Satyashraya. • Rajendra I accquired Raichur, Banavasi, Southern Hyderabad, Manyakheta, Pattapaadi = Kalyani Chalukya areas. • Rajendra Won them as Yuvaraja?
- 87. Imperialistic campaign: KalyaniChalukyas:Stage II • Kalyani Chalukya king = Jaisimha II • Belgaanve inscription 1019CE: Jaisimha II called conqueror of Cholas. • Verified by finds of his inscriptions from Bellari & Mysore. • 1021CE inscription: Rajendra defeated Jaisimha II & took 7 lakhs from his treasury & control of Rattapaadi. • Tiruvalangadu inscription: Rajendra Chola called as one who uprooted Tailvamsha(= Family of Tailap, Kalyani Chalukya). • Later Jaisimha II defeated Cholas and followed Chola army till Gangawadi and Chera kingdom. • Tungbhadra river = boundary between Kalyani Chalukya and Chola kingdom.
- 88. Imperialistic campaign: KalyaniChalukyas:Stage III • Kalyani Chalukya king = Someshwar I. • Someshwar I attacked Vengi. • Rajendra sent Chola army under his son and Yuvraja Rajadhiraj to Vengi. • Rajadhiraj defeated Someshwar I. • He then plundered Capital of Chalukyas = Kalyani. • Brought an idol from Kalyani to Tanjore.
- 89. Imperialistic campaign: Kerala •1018 CE: Attacked & defeated Kerala king. • Took his crown and properties. • Kerala king defeated by Rajaraja I also. • Probably Kerala king tried to won back his independence or Rajendra attacked them to crush his power.
- 90. Imperialistic campaign: Pandyas •1018CE: Sent Chola army to Pandya kingdom. • Pandya king fled. • Rajendra Chola appointed his son as governor of Madura. • Constructed a palace in Madura. • Pandyas defeated by Rajaraja I also. • Either they tried to win back their independence or Rajendra attacked them to crush their power.
- 91. Expansion in Ceylon •Mahavamsa: Rajendra’s attack in 36th regnal year of Mahendra V = 1018 CE. • Completely conquered the island. The whole of Anuradhapura including the south- eastern province of Rohana were incorporated into the Chola Empire • Karandai copper plate: Rajendra snatched the crown of Sri Lankan king and queens + crown of Pandya king. • Chola armies destroyed Buddhist viharas in Sri Lanka. • Rajendra Chola constructed many temples near Polonnurva in Sri Lanka. • Defeated Sri Lankan king held prisoner in Tanjore for 12 years. • After death of his father, Kassap VI, S/O Mahendra V, took back Rohan province from Cholas
- 92. Imperialistic campaign: EasternIndia • Tiruvalangadu copper plates: Rajendra sent Chola army under Vikram Chola to east India to bring back water from pious Ganges to sanctify his kingdom. • Vikram Chola won Odisa, Bastar, Indrarath & south Kosal. • Defeated Dharampala of Dharambhukti, Ranashoor of southern Radh, Mahipala of northern Radh & Govindachandra of Bengal. • Tiruvalangadu copper plates: Rajendra Chola took the title of Gangaikonda after this successful campaign. • Constructed a city & temple at Gangaikondacholapuram & shifted his capital there.
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- 95. Imperialistic campaign: Southeast Asia
- 96. Imperialistic campaign: SouthEast Asia • Karandai copper plates: King of Kambuj (= Cambodia) requested for help of Rajendra to save his royal treasury. • Tamil Prashasti: won following kingdoms in south east Asia. • Srivijay, Panni, Malayayoor , Ilaamudidesham = in Sumatra • Maayurudingam , Madamalingalm, Ilangshokam, Kadaram = in Malaysia • Maankkavaaram = Nicobar island • Mevilivangam, Valaippanduru = Unidentified • R.C.Majumdar + K.A.N.Shashtri: South east Asian campaign either due to resistance by king of Srivijay in trade or to get better control of economic benefits.
- 97. Imperialistic campaign: Attackon Kadaram (in Malaysia) • 14th regnal year inscription of Rajendra: Rajendra’s naval invasion in Kadaram. • Tiruvalangadu copper plates: Powerful Chola navy won Kedah/Kadaram. • Tamil Prashasti: Many ships of Rajendra defeated king of Kadaram & took his army elephants and treasury.
- 98. A Siamese painting depictingthe Chola raid on Kadaram (Kedah).
- 99. Kadaram victory • Aninscription from the Svetaranyesvara temple in Tiruvenkadu: “A record in the 30th year of the reign of Rajakesari Varma alias Udaiyar Rajadhiraja Deva (I) Records that one Ambalan Seyyavayar set up the image of Picchadevar (Bhikshatana), gave lands for its requirements, presented gold and silver ornaments, opened a charity house and provided for its maintenance. The same person is said to have obtained lands for the temple from the king's father (Rajendra I), who was pleased to take Purvadesam, Ganga and Kadaram”
- 101. Relations with Chalukyasof Vengi: Stage I • Cholas and Kalyani Chalukyas: Both interested in Vengi. • Vengi king Vimaladitya had married the daughter of Rajaraja I: Rajendra Chola = Mama of prince Rajarajanarendra (S/O Vimaladitya ). • Kalyani Chalukya king supported Rajarajanarendra’s step brother Vishnuvardhan VII for position of Vengi king. • Rajendra sent chola army to support accession of Rajarajanarendra as Vengi king. • Defeated Kalyani king + Vishnuvardhan VII • Took titles of Veerbhushan, Jaisimhakulkaal etc. • Rajendra Chola performed coronation of Rajarajanarendra & married his daughter with him
- 102. Relations with Chalukyasof Vengi: Stage II • King of Vengi = Rajaraja • He ended relations of Vengi Chalukyas with Cholas. • Befriended Kalyani Chalukya king Someshwar instead. • As a result, Cholas lost their hold in Vengi.
- 103. Revolts in Kerala,Madura & Simhala • Practical difficulties in controlling such a vast empire. • Revolts in various parts of Chola empire. • Retaliation by Rajendra chola. • Out of 3 Mitra kings who revolted, head of one was cut off in battle. • Virkeralan was captured. • Sundar Pandya was forced to retreat to Malalaiyoor. • King of Venaad was killed. • Chera king hid in jungle & Chola destroyed his ships at sea. • Partial success in submission of Simhala revolt.
- 104. Extent of empire: RajendraChola I
- 105. Achievements • Great conquerorand monarch. • Able administrator: Strict control • Powerful army and navy. • Strong economy : trade with south east Asia. • Constructed ponds for irrigation. • Constructed Gangaikondacholapuram city and temple. • Established Vedic Vidyalaya to promote Vedic studies. • Issued many coins.
- 109. Rajadhiraj (1044-1063CE) • Co-regentwith his father for 25 years: lot of experience. • One of the greatest and bravest warriors in the Chola dynasty • A great king who fought his own wars, standing shoulder to shoulder with his men on front lines • At the forefront of most of his father's military campaigns. • Sometime after he ascended the throne, he placed Rajendra Chola II as a co-regent • Titles: Jayamkonda Chola, Kalyanapuramgonda, Virarajendra Varman, Aahavamall, Kulantaka and Kalyanapurangondachola
- 110. Sri Lanka • Inscriptionsof Rajadhiraj : He defeated 4 Srilankan kings. • Southern Sri Lanka =A Sinhalese stronghold in perpetual conflict with Cholas. • Revolt & anarchy due uprisings by Sinhalese subjects against Chola reign. • Ill-treatment, Looting & killing of traders-businessmen-visitors from South India visiting Sri Lanka. • Rajadhiraja took prompt measures to punish the wrong-doers among natives. • The victorious generals of Cholas executed the captured Lankan generals along with their family members, mainly in return for their disrupting traders activities from South India in the Lankan mainland by looting and killing them for their riches
- 111. Sri Lanka: StageII • Mahavamsa: Kassap fought Cholas for 6 months. Killed many & forced others to retreat. • Kassap took title of Vikrambahu & ruled Rohan area. • Vikramabahu launched an all out attack on Chola armies to expel them. • Vikrambahu assisted by a Pandya prince Vikarama Pandya & Jagatpala, a Kannauj prince. • Rajadhiraja’s forces battled and killed these princes. • Chola inscriptions: Chola army took the crown of Sri Lankan king Vikrambahu. • Vikrambahu fled to southern Sri Lanka. • Rajadhiraj captured Vikrambahu’s wife and sister. Cut off nose of his mother. • Veershalameghan (Srilankan prince) came to avenge this: Fought but was killed. • Next Sri Lankan king = King Kitti alias Vijaybahu , S/O Vikramabahu in 1058 CE. • Despite these revolts, Sri Lanka remained under Cholas.
- 112. Someshwar I – Cholaconflict • Long conflict. • Mostly defensive battles • Difficulty in ascertaining the sequence of battles. • Destruction of temples & cities • Embarrassing treatment by Cholas
- 113. Rajadhiraj vs. KalyaniChalukyas: Stage I (before 1048CE) • Kalyani Chalukya king: Someshwar I • Manimangalam inscription: Rajadhiraj defeated many Chalukya commanders in battle & fell the royal palace at Kamipali city (near Hospet). • Chalukya commander of army killed and Vikramatiya IV and Vijayaditya VII fled. • Inscription of his 13th regnal year: took many as captive, snatched numerous elephants & horses. • Inscribed “Aahavmall fled the battlefield in fear” on back of one messenger.
- 114. Second attack • KalyaniChalukya king: Someshwar I • Sacked the city of Pundoor. • Killed chieftain of Kalyani Chalukyas. • Destroyed their military camp. • Caught hold of Kalyani Chalukya elephantry. • Installed a victory pillar with his royal insignia. • Burned the royal palace at Manndiyai and erected a chola victory pillar there. • Burned the city Manndiyal.
- 115. Third attack • Foughtat Kalyan. • Chalukya king sent 2 messengers for peace talks: Cholas humiliated them. • Chola inscriptions: When Someshwar sent his messengers to court of Rajadhiraj for treaty, Rajadhiraj ridiculed them, shaved one’s heads, dressed one as female & gave them names Ahavmalla & Ahavmalli. • Chola army entered Kalayanpura & ransacked it. • Rajadhiraj II consecrated himself & took the title of Veerarajendra. • Brought home much war booty. • In memory of this victory, he gilded the roof of one Shiva templein his kingdom. • No lasting effect of this victory on Kalyani Chalukyas. • Someshwar still controlling Tungabhadra region
- 116. Fourth & finalbattle: Battle at Koppam • Sources: Inscription dated to 1054 and Rajendra Chola's Manimangalam record of 1055 CE. • 1054 CE: Rajadhiraja + Rajadhiraja's brother and heir-apparent, Rajendra II led a huge army and plundered the province of Rattamandalam. • Cholas victorious. But Rajadhiraja I lost his life in the battlefield. • Someshvara I banished. • Elephants, horses and camels of the Chalukyas, along with a huge booty and the queens of Someshvara I fell into the hands of the Cholas. • Rajendra II crowned himself on the battlefield and erected a victory pillar at Kolhapur before returning to his country. • Fleet: Koppam = In Kolhapur • Shastri: Koppam = In Maski, Karnataka
- 117. Extent of empire •From Tungabhadra to Simhala • From Ganges to Kerala?
- 118. Chola succession afterRajadhiraj I Rajendra II Adhirajendra Parkeshari Vir Rajendra
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- 120. Kulottunga I • Sonof Chalukya king Rajaraja = Rajendra II alias Kulottunga I. • Kulottunga I = great grandson of Rajendra Chola I. • (Daughter of Rajendra I married Vengi king) • Some: Battle for accession between Adhirajendra Chola & Kulottunga I. • K.A.N.Shashtri: Doesn’t agree. • Some: Adhirajendra Chola killed in a revolt: instigated by Kulottunga I ?? • Vikramankadevacharita: After his death, Chola throne was acquired by Kulottunga I in 1070 CE. • Kalikapurana: Kulottunga ascended throne at a time of lawlessness and chaos & protected it. • From him onwards, Cholas known as Chola Chalukya branch of kings / Later Cholas.
- 121. Decline of Cholas •By the third quarter of the twelfth century Chola ascendancy was waning. • Many factors. • People tired of excessive taxes: internal revolts • Provinces on the fringes of the kingdom were being eroded by neighbors. • The power of the feudatories increased when central control weakened. • Frequent campaigns exhausted Chola economy and although they had finally succeeded in establishing their supremacy it was at the cost of their own stability. • The eventual breaking of Chalukya power by the Cholas was to recoil on the Cholas themselves since it removed the controlling authority over the Chalukya feudatories, who set up their own kingdoms and prepared to attack the Chola kingdom.
- 122. Internal rebellions • 5thregnal year of Rajaraja III. • Loss of property and wealth. • A temple also destroyed. • Its idols safely transferred to other place. • Donatory Copper plates destroyed. • Such revolts became a common practise during his reign.
- 123. Fights for accessionto Chola throne • V.Venkaiyya: Rajaraja II and Rajendra III fought a civil war for accession to throne which ultimately led to Chola decline • But this theory is not well supported by facts.
- 124. Lack of foresight •Violation of terms of treaty with Pandyas by Rajaraja III • Battle between Chola & Pandyas. • Cholas defeated. • Uraiyur-Tanjore burnt, Queens captured. • Pandya king Jatavarman Sundar Pandya coronated himself in Chola capital.
- 125. Powerful contemporaries • Risein power of Pandyas, Hoyasals, Kakatiyas, Yadavas, Teluguchoda. • Hoyasals who were initially Chola feudatory, shifted their allegiance to Pandyas now. • Hoyasalas took Srirangam from Rajendra III. • Kakaityas took northern parts of Chola kingdom during reign of Rajendra III. • Pandyas became a superpower at this time. • Jatavarman Sundarpandya defeated Hoyasal king, ousted Kakatiyas from Kanchi and forced Rajendra III to accept his sovereignty. • Rajendra III ruled as Pandya samanta from 1258-1271 CE. • With his death, Chola empire ended.