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Chenkuttuvan

2026-10-02T18:26:22Z

2401:4900:4DD6:15C:F48B:D3FF:FEB9:6DA5: Added sources from Chera Period of the sangam period by Sesha Aiyar.

{{Short description|2nd century Chera dynasty ruler in south India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox royalty
| caption = Chera coin from early historic south India (Napier Museum, Thiruvananthapuram)
| succession = [[Chera dynasty|Chera ruler]]
| name = Chenkuttuvan
| title = Kadal Pirakottiya Kadalottiya
| image = File:Chera Coin.jpg
| reign = c. 180 CE{{sfn|Subbarayalu|2014|p=49-50}}
| predecessor =
| father = [[Nedum Cheralathan]]{{sfn|Subbarayalu|2014|p=50–51}}
| mother = Chola Manakkilli{{sfn|Sastri|1957|p=504-18}}
| spouse = Illanko Venmal (Chilappathikaram)
| house = [[Chera dynasty|Chera]]
}}
{{Chera Dynasty}}
'''Chenkuttuvan''' (c. 180 CE,{{sfn|Subbarayalu|2014|p=49-50}} literally 'the Righteous Kuttuvan'{{sfn|Sastri|1958|p=114-115}}), title '''Kadal Pirakottiya,{{sfn|Gurukkal|2013|p=}}''' identified with '''Kadalottiya''' '''Vel Kezhu Kuttuvan,{{sfn|Aiyar|1937|p=4-5 and 21-23}}''' was the most celebrated [[Chera dynasty|Chera]] ruler of early historic [[South India|southern India]].{{sfn|Aiyar|1937|p=21-23}}{{sfn|Singh|2008|p=384-85}} He is also mentioned in [[Silapathikaram|Chilappathikaram]], the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] epic poem purportedly composed by the Chera prince [[Ilango Adigal|Ilanko Adikal]]''.'''{{sfn|Aiyar|1937|p=4-5 and 21-23}}'''''

Chenkuttavan is eulogized by the poet [[Paranar]] in the fifth decade of the [[Patiṟṟuppattu|Pathitrupathu Collection]], part of the [[Ettuthokai|Ettuthokai Anthology]] of [[Sangam literature|early Tamil literature (the Sangam Literature)]].{{sfn|Zvelebil|1973|p=52–53}} He was likely a member of the [[Muziris|Muchiri-Karur]] branch (associated with present-day central [[Kerala]]) of the Chera dynasty.{{sfn|Subbarayalu|2014|p=49-50}} During his reign, the Chera territory encompassed the [[Malabar Coast]] (present-day [[Kerala]]) and the interior [[Kongu Nadu|Kongu country]] (western [[Tamil Nadu]]).{{sfn|Menon|1967}}{{sfn|Menon|2007|pp=67–68}} The influx of [[Greco-Roman world|Yavana (Greco-Roman)]] gold into south India through the Indian Ocean [[spice trade]] during Chenkuttavan's reign is memorably described in ancient Tamil poems.{{sfn|Gurukkal|2013|p=}}

According to Fifth Decade, [[Patiṟṟuppattu|Pathitrupathu]], Chenkuttavan achieved a major victory against a northern "[[Indo-Aryan languages|Arya]]" king, occupied the forests of "Idumbil", and won another significant battle at a location called "Viyalur" (possibly against the powerful Ezhimala chieftain Nannan{{sfn|Singh|2008|p=384-85}}).{{sfn|Aiyar|1937|p=21-24}} He also destroyed Kodukur, likely located in the Kongu country, defeated a chieftain named Mannan of Mokur, and successfully intervened in a succession dispute in the [[Chola dynasty|Chola country]], installing his chosen contender on the throne.{{sfn|Aiyar|1937|p=21-24}}

The martial achievements of Chenkuttavan are described — albeit in an exaggerated manner — in the medieval Tamil epic poem [[Silapathikaram|Chilappathikaram]]''.''{{sfn|Subbarayalu|2014|p=50–51}} A method known as the "[[Gajabahu synchronism|Gajabahu Synchronism/Triple Synchronism]]", based on Canto 30:160 from this epic, is widely used by scholars to date Chenkuttuvan's reign to around the 2nd century CE.{{sfn|Shulman|2016|p=99–101}}

== Early Tamil texts ==
Chenkuttavan is praised by the poet [[Paranar|Kacharu Cheyyul Paranar]] in the fifth decade of [[Patiṟṟuppattu|Pathitrupathu Collection]], part of the [[Ettuthokai|Ettuthokai Anthology]].{{sfn|Zvelebil|1973|p=52–53}}{{sfn|Ferenczi|2022|p=|pp=116}} In the Pathitrupathu, he is described as the Lord of the Kudavar people (that is, of Kudanadu) and as the Kuttuvan (the Lord of the Kuttuvar people).{{sfn|Ferenczi|2022|p=|pp=374 and 121}}

Chenkuttavan was the son of the Chera ruler [[Nedum Cheralathan|"Imayavaramban" Nedum Cheralathan]], the Lord of the Westerners, and Chola Manakilli, a princess from family of the [[Chola dynasty|Cholas of Uraiyur]].{{sfn|Aiyar|1937|p=21-23}}{{sfn|Aiyar|1937|p=4-5 and 21-23}} "Kalankayakkanni" Narmudi Cheral and "Adu Kottu Pattu" Cheralathan were his elder and younger half-brothers, respectively (Pathitrupathu Collection).{{sfn|Ferenczi|2022|p=278-79}} The wife of Chenkuttuvan was certain Illanko Venmal, the daughter of a velir chieftain (Chilappathikaram).{{sfn|Menon|1967}}{{sfn|Menon|2007|pp=67–68}} According to [[Patiṟṟuppattu|Pathitrupathu]], Chenkuttuvan ruled the Chera country for 55 years.{{sfn|Zvelebil|1992|p=110-111}}{{sfn|Ferenczi|2022|p=278-79}} His son was known as "Kuttuvan Cheral", possibly the ruler of the "Umpar Kadu" region.{{sfn|Ferenczi|2022|p=|pp=278-79 and 345}}

The [[Patiṟṟuppattu|Pathitrupathu Collection]] that praises Chenkuttuvan notably contains references to burial grounds with urns holding the remains of earlier Chera rulers.{{sfn|Ferenczi|2022|p=|pp= 129}}

The patikam to Pathitrupathu, Decad V, mentions Chenkuttuvan's expedition to bring the sacred stone for the creation of the [[Pattini]] idol, during which he defeated and killed an "[[Indo-Aryan languages|Arya]]" king. Scholars believe that the exaggerated account of Chenkuttuvan's military expedition to the [[Indo-Gangetic Plain|Ganges Valley]], as found in Chilappathikaram, may have been a later interpolation into this text or an associated ancient (now lost) tradition.{{sfn|Zvelebil|1992|p=110-111}}{{sfn|Sastri|1958|p=114-115}}

The ten [[Patiṟṟuppattu|Pathitrupathu]] songs praising Chenkuttuvan are;{{sfn|Ferenczi|2022|p=|pp=146}}

# The Venkai-tree with Glowing Flowers
# The Shining Seat of Vessels
# The Shelves that Cannot be Climbed
# The Sturdy Limbs Destroyed by Pain
# The Food with Meat Curry
# The Wheels with Bloody Ridge
# Viralis with Delicate Forehead
# A Great and High Life
# The Warriors with Red Hands
# The Frightening Flood-like Vanguard

== Relation to maritime trade ==
Poet [[Paranar]] praises the Chera ruler Chenkuttuvan for his maritime prowess.

{{cquote|"Kuttuvan not finding an enemy worthy to fight with became angry, with martial might besieged the sea and with magnificent spear drove back the sea whose wave rose high".{{sfn|Menon|1987|p=24–25}}
}}

Early Tamil poems refer to the "hill products" and "sea products" — later mainly being precious pearls — associated with Chenkuttuvan, and to the [[Yavana]] ([[Greco-Roman world|Graeco-Roman]]) gold that "reached ashore by boats" in exchange (Purananuru 343).{{sfn|Gurukkal|2013|p=}} Chenkuttuvan's mastery over the sea may have earned him the frequently used title "Kadal Pirakottiya", which roughly translates to "One Who Left the Sea Behind" or "One Who Drove Back the Sea".{{sfn|Gurukkal|2013|p=}}{{sfn|Ferenczi|2022|p=|pp=134}}

In the Pathitrupathu, Chenkuttuvan is described as "the conqueror of the cool sea with sounding waves" and as the distributor of sapphire-coloured wine from the shining seat of vessels—a possible reference to Mediterranean wine.{{sfn|Ferenczi|2022|p=|pp=118 and 121}}

== Military achievements ==
Poet Paranar also praised Chenkuttuvan's military prowess -

{{cquote|"Kuttuvan of the Gold Garland, whose army destroyed the beauty of many lands, till the noise rose loud of the drums used in numerous battles with the monarchs of the country between Comorin (Cape Comorin) on the south and Himalayas, the mountain that rises high as the northern boundary."{{sfn|Menon|1987|p=24–25}}
}}

The following are the military achievements of Chenkuttuvan from early Tamil poems.

# The panegyric to the fifth decade describes Chenkuttuvan as "the king feared by the northerners", who wanted to take a sacred stone for the idol of the goddess [[Pattini]]. He is also reported to have killed a certain "Arya king" and bathed in the sacred [[Ganges|Ganges River]].{{sfn|Ferenczi|2022|p=|pp=145}}
# It is recorded that Chenkuttavan camped at a location called "Idumbil" with his warriors.{{sfn|Ferenczi|2022|p=|pp=145}} He won a major victory at another location called "Viyalur" (perhaps in the country of [[Ezhimala]] Nannan and against Nannan).{{sfn|Singh|2008|p=384-85}}{{sfn|Sastri|1958|p=114-115}} The "fort" of Kodukur, perhaps in the Kongu country, was also destroyed.{{sfn|Aiyar|1937|p=21-23}}{{sfn|Singh|2008|p=384-85}} In this War kodugur and Viyalur Nannan was helped by [[Cholas]] and [[Pandyas]] but cheran Senguttuvan defeated the combined army and conquered Nannan territories.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sesha Aiyar |first=K. G. |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.277483 |title=Chera Kingsof the Sangam Period |date=1937}}</ref> Cheran Senguttuvan was powerful monarch of south india that time he could dominated [[Cholas]] and [[Pandyas]] Region . It's represented by his royal decrees bore consisted of bow , the fish and the tiger . It's make that Cheran senguttuvan great monarch.<ref>{{cite book
|last=Aiyar
|first=K. G. Sesha
|title=Chera Kings of the Sangam Period
|publisher=Luzac & Co.
|location=London
|year=1937
|page=25
}}</ref>
# He also defeated a Pandyan chieftain called "Pazhaiyan" Mannan of Mokur (while aiding his ally Arukai, an enemy of the Mannan of Mokur) ([[Patiṟṟuppattu|Pathitrupathu]], 45, V Pathikam and repeated in Chilappathikaram, XXVIII, 124-26'').''{{sfn|Aiyar|1937|p=21-23}}'''''{{sfn|Aiyar|1937|p=4-5 and 21-23}}'''''
# It is recorded that Chenkuttuvan successfully intervened in a succession dispute in the [[Chola dynasty|Chola country]] and established his relative (brother-in-law) [[Nalankilli|Killi]] on the throne. The other nine Chola contenders to the throne were defeated in a battle at a location known as "Vayil" or "Neri-vayil".{{sfn|Aiyar|1937|p=21-23}}

Additional achievements described in Chilappathikaram include;

# In the Chilappathikaram, Chenkuttuvan is described as the ruler who "overthrew the Kadambu [tribe] with fences of the vast/dark water" or as the one "who overthrew the Kadambu of the Sea."{{sfn|Ferenczi|2022|p=|pp=278-79 and 345}}
# He also conquered the Kongar (or the people of the Kongu country) in a martial campaign (Chilappathikaram'', XXV, 152-53)''.{{sfn|Aiyar|1937|p=21-23}}

According to Chilappathikaram, Cheran Chenkuttuvan's northern expedition to the [[Ganges]] is described as follows:

{{cquote|"Villavan Kodai (his minister), then addressed the king: "May your righteous rule last many years! You fought against your equals who surrendered their tiger-flag and fish-flag on the bloody battlefield of [[Konkan]]. This (incident) has reached the ears of elephants stationed in the eight directions. My eyes will never forget the sight of your advancing elephant in the midst of [[Tamil language|Tamil]] hosts which destroyed the joint forces of [[Konkani language|Konkanar]], [[Odia language|Kalingar]], the cruel [[Kannada|Karunatar]], [[Bengali language|Bangalar]], [[Western Ganga dynasty|Gangar]], Kattiyar famous for their innumerable spears, and the northern [[Indo-Aryan languages|Aryas]].

"Nor can we forget the valour you displayed singlehanded, when having made your mother bathe in the full and rising floods of the mighty [[Ganges]], you waged such a terrific war against a thousand [[Indo-Aryan languages|Aryas]], that the cruel God of Death stood aghast."
| source = [[Cilappatikaram]] (Vanjikkandam; Katcikkadai), 150 - 164<ref>{{cite book |last=Dikshitar |first=V. R. Ramachandra |title=The Silappadikaram |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1939 |page=289 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.35913/page/289/mode/1up |access-date=26 April 2026}}</ref>
}}

{{quote|"Confronted with such a warrior, Uttaran (Sans. Uttara), Vicittiran (Vicitra), Uruttiran (Rudra), Bairvan (Bhairava), Cittiran (Citra), Singan (Simha), Tanuttaran (Dhanurdhara), Sivetan (Siveta), and other kings of the [[Indo-Aryan languages|north]], along with Kanaka and Vijaya marched at the head of a confederate army vast as the ocean, saying : 'Let us see the prowess of the southern [[Tamil language|Tamil]] kings.’ When they advanced thus Senguttuvan inwardly rejoiced, even as a hungry lion in search of prey would rejoice at the sight of a herd of elephants, and sprang upon the different forces of the enemy decorated with kanci garlands. The pandal of flags swallowed the sun's rays; the earth (the battlefield) re-echoed to the sounds of the cruel drums covered with well-tanned skins, white conches, roaring drums, long horns and sweet cymbals (pandil), reinforced by the all-pervading thunder of the royal war-drum with its hairy covering seeming to devour lives given in sacrifice."|source=[[Cilappatikaram]] (Vanjikkandam; Katcikkadai), 182 - 196<ref>{{cite book |last=Dikshitar |first=V. R. Ramachandra |title=The Silappadikaram |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1939 |page=300 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.35913/page/300/mode/1up |access-date=26 April 2026}}</ref>
}}

According to the Pathitrupathu, Chenkuttuvan was renowned for his [[chariots]], adorned with flags swaying at their tops, as well as for his horses and elephants.{{sfn|Ferenczi|2022|p=|pp=118,121 and 128}} The text contains multiple references to swords, bows and arrows, and "walls protected by deep moats".{{sfn|Ferenczi|2022|p=|pp=131}} It is also mentioned that Chenkuttuvan’s warriors used bull-hide shields to protect themselves from enemy darts ([[Patiṟṟuppattu|Pathitrupathu]], 45).{{sfn|Aiyar|1937|p=21-23}}

== First Northern Campaign ==
{{cquote|"On the day when our king bathed his mother in the mighty waters of the Ganges, the fierce spear of the Chera, which had faced the twenty-five hundred Aryan kings, opened its eyes to behold the dark-eyed god of death."}}

{{cquote|"The Kongas, Kalingas, Kodungaru-nadars, Pangalas, Gangas, the many-speared Kattiyars, together with the northern Aryans, remained within my sight amid the confusion of Tamil and northern tongues, during the hunt in the northern mountains."}}

According to literary accounts, Chenkuttuvan travelled to northern India to bathe his mother in the Ganges, where he encountered opposition from several Aryan rulers.
The opposing group is said to have included the Kongas, Kalingas, Karunadars, Pangalas, Gangas and Kattiyars, among others.
Chenkuttuvan is described as having defeated these forces in battle, with his elephant corps playing an important role in the conflict.
The literary accounts further describe the opposing forces as being scattered after the fierce fighting at the Ganges.
This conflict is described as Chenkuttuvan's earlier northern campaign, preceding his later expedition to obtain the stone for the Pattini image.<ref>{{cite book
|last=அப்பாதுரையார்
|first=கா.
|title=தென்னாட்டுப் போர்க்களங்கள்
|page=82
|url=https://archive.org/details/tva-bok-0012519/page/82/mode/1up
|via=Internet Archive
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=மயிலை சீனி. வேங்கடசாமி |title=சேர சோழ பாண்டியன் |page=39 |url=https://archive.org/details/tdl.57388-nuul-ceer-coolll-paannttiynnn/page/39/mode/1up |access-date=2026-09-10}}</ref>

== Second North Campaign ==

=== Chenkuttavan Chera in ''Chilappathikaram'' ===
{{multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 250
| direction = horizontal
| image1 = Kannagi statue, Marina beach, Chennai.jpg
| image2 =
| footer = Kannaki statue in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
}}
Authorship of the Tamil epic [[Silappatikaram|Chilappathikaram]] is traditionally ascribed to prince [[Ilango Adigal|Ilanko Adikal]] (literally "the prince ascetic"; Kudakko Cheral Ilanko), who appears in the work as the younger brother of Chenkuttuvan Chera.{{sfn|Tikkanen|2015|p=}} The third part of [[Silappatikaram|Chilappathikaram]] (the Vanchi Kantham) narrates Chenkuttuvan's expedition to the [[Himalayas]] to collect the virakkallu (sacred stone) for an idol of the goddess [[Kannagi|Kannaki]]-[[Pattini]].{{sfn|Subbarayalu|2014|p=50–51}}{{sfn|Shulman|2016|p=99–101}}

According to the patikam of Chilappathikaram, the royal astrologer at the Chera king's court predicted that the younger prince, or the Ilanko, would succeed the king. In response, Ilanko immediately renounced his claim to the throne and chose to live as an ascetic. He relocated to a [[Jainism|Jain]] monastery (the Kunavayir Kottam) on the outskirts of Vanchi, where he composed the epic Chilappathikaram.{{sfn|Shulman|2016|p=99–101}}

According to K. G. Sesha Aiyar, Cheran Senguttuvan undertook an expedition to North India to consign the remains of his deceased mother to the Ganges. During this expedition, he is said to have encountered and defeated Aryan rulers in battle. A later northern expedition is described in the Silappadikaram, in which Senguttuvan travelled to the Gangetic region to obtain stone for an image of Kannaki, whom he intended to enshrine as Pattini-Kadavul. Sesha Aiyar notes that this expedition is not mentioned in the Patiṟṟuppattu but is recorded in the Silappadikaram.

Sesha Aiyar describes Senguttuvan as a ruler associated with extensive military activity. Patiṟṟuppattu 50 states that he spent nights planning military campaigns, while the Silappadikaram states that he was engaged in warfare for 50 of the 55 years of his reign. Sesha Aiyar further considers Senguttuvan the most powerful southern monarch of his period and states that his authority extended over the Chola and Pandya realms. He also notes that the insignia associated with his royal decrees consisted of the bow, fish and tiger, representing the symbols associated with the Chera, Pandya and Chola dynasties.<ref name="SeshaAiyar1937pp24-25">{{cite book |last=Sesha Aiyar |first=K. G. |title=Chera Kings of the Sangam Period |year=1937 |pages=24–25 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.277483/page/n40/mode/1up}}</ref>

=== Context ===
Chera king Chenkuttuvan and his queen, Ilanko Venmal, were moved by [[Kannagi|Kannaki]]'s tragic story, and the queen wanted her to be worshipped as a "Goddess of Chastity". In response, Chenkuttuvan sought advice from his court, which suggested carving a stone block from the sacred [[Himalayas]] to create the "virakkallu" (the sacred stone) for the Kannaki idol.{{sfn|Ilango Adigal|1939|p=}}

The king then ordered a military expedition to the Himalayas. Setting out from his capital, Vanchi, Chenkuttuvan first led his army to the Blue Mountain (the [[Nilgiri Mountains|Nilgiris]]), where he was welcomed by learned Brahmanas, the people of Konkana country, the Karunatar, and the people of Kongu country, as well as the Ovar. There, he also met Sanjaya, an envoy of king Nutruvar Kannar (the [[Satavahana dynasty|Satavahana]]). Sanjaya informed Chenkuttuvan that the Nutruvar Kannar had no conflicts with the Chera ruler. Chenkuttuvan responded that he needed vessels to cross the [[River Ganges]].{{sfn|Ilango Adigal|1939|p=}}

The Chera army then marched to the Ganges, crossed it using the vessels provided by the Nutruvar Kannar, and camped in the "uttara country". Soon, the northern [[Indo-Aryan languages|Arya]] rulers—led by Kanaka and Vijaya, sons of Balakumara, along with allied princes Uttara, Vichitra, Rudra, Bhairava, Chitra, Singha, Dhanurdhara, and Sveta—confronted Chenkuttuvan's forces with a massive army. After a fierce battle, the northern alliance was defeated, and the sacred stone for the Kannaki-Pattini idol was secured.{{sfn|Ilango Adigal|1939|p=}}

Princes Kanaka and Vijaya were taken as prisoners and brought to the southern country. Two and a half months after his departure, Chenkuttuvan returned victoriously to Vanchi, where the temple for Kannaki-Pattini was consecrated with the virakkallu from the Himalayas.{{sfn|Ilango Adigal|1939|p=}}

The [[Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple|Bhagavati Temple]] in [[Kodungallur]], Kerala, is believed to be the Kannaki temple thus consecrated.{{sfn|Shulman|2016|p=99–101}}

== Dating Chenkuttavan Chera ==
A method known as [[Gajabahu synchronism|Gajabahu Synchronism/Triple Synchronism]], first propounded by scholar [[V. Kanakasabhai Pillai]], is widely used by the scholars to date Chenkuttavan Chera to 2nd century CE.{{sfn|Zvelebil|1992|p=110-111}} The method is often criticized for its dependency on numerous conjectures.{{sfn|Shulman|2016|p=99–101}}{{sfn|Zvelebil|1973|pp=37–39|ps=: The opinion that the Gajabahu Synchronism is an expression of genuine historical tradition is accepted by most scholars today}} However, complementary epigraphical/archeological evidence broadly seems to support the Gajabahu dating. The method was famously supported by historian [[K. A. Nilakanta Sastri]].{{sfn|Subbarayalu|2014|p=49-51}}{{sfn|Zvelebil|1973|p=38}}

=== Gajabahu Synchronism ===
As stated in [[Silappatikaram|Chilappathikaram]] (text proper, canto 30:160), several neighboring kings were invited by king Chenkuttavan to the installation of [[Kannagi|Kannaki-Pattini]] at Vanchi.{{sfn|Zvelebil|1992|p=110-111}} These included the "Arya" kings Kanaka and Vijaya, the Kongu king of Kudaku, the king of Malva, and "Kayavaku", the king of [[Sri Lanka|Lanka]].{{sfn|Zvelebil|1992|p=110-111}}

The 30th Canto, 160, in translation, reads -<blockquote>"The monarch of the world [Chenkuttavan] circumambulated the shrine thrice and stood there proffering his respects. In front of him the Arya kings released from prison, kings removed from central jail, the Kongu ruler of Kudaku, the king of Malva and Kayavaku, the king of sea-girt Ceylon, prayed reverently to the deity thus...</blockquote>Kayavaku, the king of [[Sri Lanka|Lanka]], can tentatively be identified with [[Gajabahu I of Sri Lanka|Gajabahu I]], king of [[Sri Lanka]] (r. ''c.'' 173 — 195 CE{{sfn|Subbarayalu|2014|p=49-50}}). In this context, Chenkuttavan (and the early Tamil poems) can be dated to either the first or the last quarter of the 2nd century CE.{{sfn|Shulman|2016|p=99–101}}

The Gajabahu dating is generally considered the "sheet anchor" for dating events in early historic Tamil texts (and the early historic rulers of southern India).{{sfn|Shulman|2016|p=99–101}}{{sfn|Zvelebil|1973|pp=37–39|ps=: The opinion that the Gajabahu Synchronism is an expression of genuine historical tradition is accepted by most scholars today}}{{sfn|Zvelebil|1973|p=38}}

== In popular culture ==
=== Films ===
* The Tamil-language film [[Raja Rani (1956 film)|''Raja Rani'']] (1956) features [[Sivaji Ganesan]] playing the role of Chenkuttavan in a [[Story within a story#Play within a film|play within the film]].
* Chenkuttavan is briefly portrayed by an uncredited actor at the beginning of the Tamil-language film [[Poompuhar (film)|''Poompuhar'']] (1964).
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last1=Aiyar |first1=K. G. Sesha |author-link1= |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.277483 |title=Chera Kings of the Sangam Period |publisher=Luzac and Co. |year=1937 |isbn= |location=London |pages= |chapter= |orig-year=}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ferenczi |first=R. |url=https://ediss.sub.uni-hamburg.de/bitstream/ediss/11295/1/Eo%CC%88tvo%CC%88s%20Lora%CC%81nd%20Tudoma%CC%81nyegyetem_new_2024.pdf |title=An Annotated Translation of the Patiṟṟuppattu and the Political Geography of the Early Cēra Kingdom |publisher=University of Hamburg |editor-last=Wilden |editor-first=E. |location=Hamburg |publication-date=2022 |pages= |chapter= |editor-last2=Wojtilla |editor-first2=Gyula}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Gurukkal |first=Rajan |date=2013 |title=Classical Indo-Roman Trade: A Misnomer in Political Economy |url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2013/26-27/special-articles/classical-indo-roman-trade.html |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |language=en |volume=48 |issue=26–27}}
* {{cite book |author=Ilango Adigal |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.201802/page/n7/mode/1up |title=The Silappadikaram |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1939 |isbn= |translator-last=Dikshitar |translator-first=V. R. Ramachandra}}
* {{cite book | last1=Menon | first1=A. Sreedhara | author-link= A. Sreedhara Menon | title=A Survey of Kerala History | date=1967 | publisher=Sahitya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N7WaZe2PBy8C | language=en | oclc=555508146 }}
** {{cite book|last1=Menon|first1=A. Sreedhara|author-link1=A. Sreedhara Menon|title=A Survey of Kerala History|publisher=D C Books|location=Kerala, India|isbn=978-8126415786|edition=|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FVsw35oEBv4C|year=2007|orig-year=1967}}
*{{Cite book|title=Kerala History and its Makers|last=Menon|first=A. Sreedhara|publisher=D C Books|year=1987|location=Kottayam|pages=}}
*{{cite book |last1=Sastri|first1=K. A. Nilakanta|author-link1= |url=https://indianculture.gov.in/ebooks/history-south-india-prehistoric-times-fall-vijayanagar |title=A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1958 |isbn= |location= |pages=|chapter= |orig-year=|edition=2nd}}
*{{cite book |last1=Sastri|first1=K. A. Nilakanta|author-link1= |url=http://indianculture.gov.in/ebooks/comprehensive-history-india-vol-ii-mauryas-and-satavahanas |title=Comprehensive History of India, Vol. 2: The Mauryas and Satavahanas |publisher=Orient Longman |year=1957 |isbn= |location=Bombay |pages=|chapter= |orig-year=}}
*{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Upinder |author-link= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC |title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: from the Stone Age to the 12th century |date=2008 |publisher=[[Longman|Pearson Longman]] |isbn=978-81-317-1120-0 |location=[[New Delhi]] |pages=}}
* {{Cite book |last=Shulman |first=David |url=https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674059924 |title=Tamil: A Biography |publisher=The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press |year=2016 |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts |pages=}}
* {{Cite book |last=Subbarayalu |first=Y. |url=https://global.oup.com/academic/product/a-concise-history-of-south-india-9780198099772 |title=A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2014 |editor-last=Karashima |editor-first=Noburu |location=New Delhi |pages=49–50 |chapter=Early Tamil Polity}}
* {{Cite web |date=2015 |editor-last=Tikkanen |editor-first=Amy |title=Silappathikaram |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Silappathikaram#ref845622 |website=Encyclopædia Britannica}}
*{{Cite book |last=Zvelebil |first=Kamil V. |url=https://brill.com/display/title/752?language=en |title=Companion Studies to the History of Tamil Literature |publisher=Brill |year=1992 |location=Leiden |orig-year=1991}}
*{{Cite book |last=Zvelebil |first=Kamil |url=https://archive.org/details/smileofmuruganontamilliteratureofsouthindiakamilzvelebilbrill_368_E |title=The Smile of Murugan: On Tamil Literature of South India |publisher=E. J. Brill |year=1973 |location=Leiden |pages=}}

[[Category:People from the Chera kingdom]]
[[Category:Chera kings]]

Karikala

2026-10-02T15:02:28Z

2401:4900:4DD6:15C:F48B:D3FF:FEB9:6DA5: Kalingathuparani verse - 178 Praise Karikala Chola Himalayan Expenditon added the quotation

{{Short description|Historical Chola king who ruled southern India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name = Karikala Cholan
| native_name =
| title = Peruvalatthaan Thirumavalavan Kaviri Kandan Makkotai Konda Cholan Parakesari ([[Sanskrit]]) <ref name="Rama Shankar Tripathi 478">{{cite book|title=History of Ancient India|author=Rama Shankar Tripathi|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass, 1967 - India - 605 pages|page=478}}</ref><ref name="Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri 68">{{cite book|title=Studies in Cōḷa history and administration|author=Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri|publisher=University of Madras, 1932 - History - 210 pages|page=68}}</ref>
| image = Karikalacholan kallanai trichy.jpg
| alt = Karikala the Great
| reign =
| caption = Bronze statue of Karikāla Chōḻaṉ
| predecessor = [[Ilamcetcenni]]
| successor = [[Nedunkilli]] and [[Nalankilli]]
| spouse = [[Velir]] princess from Nangur<ref>{{cite book|title=Art and culture of Tamil Nadu|author=Irāmaccantiran̲ Nākacāmi|publisher=Sundeep Prakashan, 1980 - Art, Indic - 184 pages|page=140}}</ref>
| spouse-type = Queen
| issue = [[Nalankilli]] [[Nedunkilli]] Māvalattān
| father = [[Ilamcetcenni]]
}}
{{Chola history}}
'''Karikala''' ({{lang-ta| கரிகால சோழன்}}) often referred to as '''Karikala the Great'''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2022/may/21/the-great-cholas-through-the-ages-2456011.html | title=The great Cholas through the ages }}</ref> was a [[Tamils|Tamil]] [[Emperor]] of the early Chola kingdom who ruled ancient [[Tamilakam]] from [[Uraiyur]]. He is credited with the construction of the flood banks of the [[Kaveri|river Kaveri]]. He is recognised as the greatest of the Early Cholas. In Thiruvalangadu plates of [[Rajendra Chola I]], [[Medieval Cholas|Medieval Tamil Cholas]] listed Karikala Chola as one of their ancestors. In Malepadu plates (7th century CE) of Renati Chola king Punyakumara, [[Telugu Cholas]] claimed that they belong to the family of Karikala Chola and praises him for stopping the overflow over the banks of river Kaveri.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hultzsch |first=Eugene |date=1911–1912 |title=Epigraphia Indica |journal=Epigraphia Indica |volume=11 |pages=339 |via=Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India}}</ref>

== Sources ==
The story of Karikala is mixed with legend and anecdotal information gleaned from [[Sangam literature]]. The only sources available are the numerous mentions in Sangam poetry. The period covered by the extant literature of the Sangam is not easy to determine with any measure of certainty.

''[[Paṭṭiṉappālai]]'', ''[[Poruṇarāṟṟuppaṭai]]'' and a number of individual poems in the ''[[Akanaṉūṟu]]'' and ''[[Purananuru]]'' have been the main source for the information that is attributed to Karikala.

No authentic records of Karikala's reign have been found so far. However many rulers and petty chiefs who came after him claimed him as their ancestor and decorated themselves as belonging to the ''[[Chola dynasty|Chola race]] of Karikala and of the [[Kashyapa]] [[gotra]]''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Indian Antiquary, Volume 38|author=Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland|pages=7–8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Andhra Pradesh district gazetteers, Volume 16|author=Andhra Pradesh (India), Bh Sivasankaranarayana|publisher=Printed by the Director of Print. and Stationery at the Govt. Secretariat Press; [copies can be had from: Govt. Publication Bureau, Andhra Pradesh], 1977 - Andhra Pradesh (India)|page=19}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Karikala was the son of [[Ilamcetcenni]].<ref>''Purananuru'' – 266</ref> The name Karikalan has been held to mean "the man with the charred leg" and perpetuates the memory of a fire accident in the early years of his life. Some scholars also hold the view ''kari'' and ''kalan'' are Tamil words meaning "slayer of elephants". ''Poruṇarāṟṟuppaṭai'' describes the back-formed origin legend of this incident as follows:{{quote|The king of [[Uraiyur]] ([[Tiruchirappalli]]) Ilamcetcenni married a [[Velir]] princess from Azhundur and she became pregnant and gave birth to Karikala. Ilamcetcenni died soon after. Due to his young age, Karikala's right to the throne was overlooked and there was political turmoil in the country. Karikala was exiled. When normality returned, the Chola ministers sent a state elephant to look for the prince. The elephant finds the prince hiding in [[Karuvur]] (modern day [[Karur]] in [[Tamil Nadu]]). His political opponents arrested and imprisoned him. The prison was set on fire that night. Karikala escaped the fire and, with the help of his uncle Irum-pitar-thalaiyan, defeated his enemies. Karikala’s leg was scorched in the fire and from thence Karikala became his name.}}Old Sangam Age inscriptions and the sthala puranam of the great ancient Saiva shrine at Parasalur, near [[Mayiladuthurai|Mayavaram]], state that in order to escape a murder plot hatched by conspirators, Karikal Valavan stayed there in disguise as a Vedic and Agama Sastra lecturer for eight years. The [[Paṭṭiṉappālai]], written in praise of Karikala, also describes this incident but without mentioning the fable of the burnt limb:
{{quote|Like a tiger cub with sharp claws and curved stripes growing strong within a cage, his strength matured while he was in the bondage of his enemies. Just as a large-trunked elephant pulls down the banks of a pit and reunites with its mate, he, after deep and careful consideration, drew his sword, overpowered the strong guard, and eventually achieved his glorious heritage.}}

== Military conquests ==
{{cquote|"You delight in looting the enemy's country by the light of the destructive fires which you have started. Because of your plunder, the enemy's land is deprived of all good things." <ref>{{cite journal
|last=Spencer
|first=George W.
|title=The Politics of Plunder: The Cholas in Eleventh-Century Ceylon
|page=405
}}</ref>}}

According to Purananuru poem verse - 7:

{{cquote|"Your legs press and command elephants and
your perfect feet are rubbed by your warrior anklets.
Your bow that dazzles the eyes rests in your charitable
hands, to release arrows in battles. Your chest is so broad, and Thirumakal forsakes others for it. You have the strength to drive back elephants. You do not consider whether it is day or night to plunder enemy towns, blazing them as their citizens cry loudly.

O Valavan riding your elegant chariot! There is nothing
good remaining in your enemy countries where there were prosperous towns, where, instead of mud, they used fish to block holes of dams with sounds of cool flowing water!"<ref>{{cite web
|title=Ettuthokai – Purananuru 1–200 |url=https://sangamtranslationsbyvaidehi.com/ettuthokai-purananuru-1-200/
|website=Sangam Translations by Vaidehi
|access-date=10 September 2026
}}</ref>}}

=== Battle of Venni ===
{{Main|Battle of Venni}}
Karikala’s Naval Power and the Battle of Venni — described in Purananuru - 66 by Venni Kuyathiyar:

{{Quote|"O heir of a mighty man who mastered the movement of the wind and had his ships sail on the huge, full ocean! O Karikalan who owns rutting elephants! You who won displaying your strength in the battlefield near prosperous Venni town"|Purananuru - 66<ref>{{cite book |last=Herbert |first=Vaidehi |title=Purananuru: Translation in English with Meanings |page=147}}</ref>}}
According to the '' Poruṇarāṟṟuppaṭai'', Karikala Chola fought a great [[Battle of Venni]] in which both [[Pandyan dynasty|Pandyan]] and [[Chera dynasty|Cheran]] king [[Uthiyan Cheralathan]]<ref>{{cite book|title=[[A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar]]|first=K. A. Nilakanta|last=Sastri|author-link=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|ref=Sastri}} </ref> suffered a defeat.<ref name=majumdar137>See Majumdar, p 137</ref> Although we know very little about the circumstances leading to this battle, there can be no doubt that it marked the turning point in Karikala’s career, for in this battle he broke the back of the powerful confederacy formed against him.<ref name=tri458>See Tripathi, p 458</ref> Besides the two crowned kings of the Pandya and Chera countries, eleven minor chieftains took the opposing side in the campaign and shared defeat at the hands of Karikala.<ref name=kulke104>See Kulke and Rothermund, p 104</ref><ref name=Balambal>{{cite book|title=Studies in the History of the Sangam Age|pages=21|isbn=978-8185163871|year=1998|last=V.|first=Balambal|publisher=Kalinga Publications|location=New Delhi}}</ref> The Chera king, who was wounded on his back in the battle, committed suicide by starvation. Venni was the watershed in the career of Karikala which established him firmly on his throne and secured for him some sort of hegemony among the three crowned monarchs. Venni is also known as Vennipparandalai and now it is known as [[Kovilvenni]] and is situated near [[Thanjavur]].<ref name=sastri112>See Nilakanta Sastri, ''A History of South India'', p112-113</ref>

=== Battle of Vahaipparandalai ===

According to Pattinapalai verse:

{{quote|"Those from Oli land are humble and under
his control. Those from the ancient Aruva
land submit to him. Northerners lose to
him and Kudanadu ruler bows to his might.
He captures enemy forts and ruins the strengths
of the Pandiyan king. He ruins the weak forest
kings and their heirs with enraged red eyes,
as well as king Irungovel's clan, with his huge
army of brave warriors."|source =Pattinapalai (274 - 285)<ref>{{cite web |title=Pathuppāttu – Pattinappālai |url=https://sangamtranslationsbyvaidehi.com/pathuppattu-pattinappalai/ |author=Vaidehi Herbert |access-date=5 August 2026 |publisher=Sangam Poems Translated by Vaidehi |language=en |at=lines 274–285}}</ref>
}}
The [[Battle of Vahaipparandalai]] was a significant military engagement during the Sangam period in South India, fought by the Chola king Karikala. In this battle,[[Karikala Chola]] defeated confederacy of nine enemy chieftains, forcing them to submit. This victory, along with his earlier triumph at the [[Battle of Venni]], solidified Karikala's dominance over the [[Tamilakam|Tamil region]] and established him as a powerful ruler.[[Paranar]], a contemporary of Karikala, in his poem from ''[[Agananuru]]'' mentions this incident without giving any information on the cause of the conflict.<ref name="sastri112">See Nilakanta Sastri, ''A History of South India'', p112-113</ref><ref name="NilakantaSastri120">{{Cite book |last=K. A. Nilakanta Sastry |url=http://archive.org/details/history-of-south-india-k.-a.-nilkanta-sastry |title=A History Of South India (K. A. Nilakanta Sastry)}}</ref>The Confederacy of Nine kings and their vassals were defeated by him , Numerous Oliyars Submitted to him , The Pallavas of Kanchi and the Kurumbas were Compelled to accept his sovereignty. The Battle of Vahaiparantalai make karikala master of vast domination including Thondaimandalam . Pattinapalai mentioned the city was strong walls with Goddess of victory and karikala furnished with door tiger cryst engraved . Pattinapalai also said Karikala chola has no enemies that he left his capital puhar with sword and proceeded his rule north up to Himalayas . Bramanical sacrifice was encouraged in his rule and karikala patrone litterature.According to Seshadri sastri karikala reign was 113AD to 135 AD.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mahajan |first=V. D. |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=sjscEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA622&dq=karikala+kurumbas&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwinn5v7xoeWAxUrzDgGHYAWEGIQ6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=Vahaiparantalai&f=false |title=Ancient India |publisher=S. Chand Publishing |isbn=978-93-5283-603-1 |language=en}}</ref> Oliyar, Aruvalar ,Vadavar , Kudavar , Tennavar ,Poduvar Irungovel were defeated in that battle of Vahaiparantalai.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kalidos |first=Raju |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=zG1uAAAAMAAJ&q=Karikala+defeated+vadavar&dq=Karikala+defeated+vadavar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjExvvws4iWAxVdQmwGHT4UKAsQ6AF6BAgIEAM#oliyar |title=History and Culture of the Tamils: From Prehistoric Times to the President's Rule |date=1976 |publisher=Vijay Publications |language=en}}</ref> "The famous victor, the Sola, Karikal, protected the families of the Kurumbar who tend (flocks) onthe hill-tops".the poem also states karikala destroyed forests and turned into habbitable places.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Srinivas Iyengar |first=P. T. |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.277107 |title=History of the Tamils from the earliest times to 600 A.D |date=1929}}</ref> According to Paranar The nine princess with large army who proposed karikala probably Kurumbas and they were defeated by Karikala in that battle .<ref>{{Cite book |last=V. Kanakasabhai |url=http://archive.org/details/TheTamilsEighteenHundredYearsAgo1956 |title=The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago |date=1956}}</ref>

=== Srilanka Conquests ===
Historian Ma. Rācamāṇikkanār cites the Kalingattuparani as a source for the Sri Lankan campaign of Karikala Chola. According to him, after returning from his expedition to the Himalayas, Karikala proceeded to Sri Lanka with a naval force, conquered it, left one of his military commanders to govern there, and returned to the Chola country. He further states that the Kalingattuparani says that Karikala brought twelve thousand families to the Chola country on his return. In a footnote concerning this account, Rācamāṇikkanār cites W. Geiger’s A Short History of Ceylon for the Mahāvaṃsa chronology concerning a period of Tamil rule in Sri Lanka from 44 BCE to 17 BCE.<ref>{{cite web
|last=இராசமாணிக்கனார்
|first=மா.
|title=சோழர் வரலாறு
|publisher=பூரம் பதிப்பகம்
|location=சென்னை
|year=1947
|url=https://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0600_01.html
|access-date=2026-10-02
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book
|last=இராசமாணிக்கனார்
|first=மா.
|title=சோழர் வரலாறு: மூன்று பாகங்கள்
|publisher=பூரம் பதிப்பகம்
|location=சென்னை
|year=1947
|pages=58–59 |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZl9kZpy.TVA_BOK_0003900/page/57/mode/1up
}}</ref>

According to legends Karikala was one of the few Chola kings who won the whole of Ceylon(Lanka). The Grand anicut was built after his conquest over the Singalese kingdom and he used Singalese war prisoners for the hard task of moving stones from the mountains to the river bed of the Kaveri.{{cn|date=October 2021}} The ''Pattinappalai'' also describes the destruction caused by Karikala’s armies in the territories of his enemies and adds that as the result of these conflicts, the "Northerners and Westerners were depressed… and his flushed look of anger caused the Pandya’s strength to give way…".

The Chola invasion of Anurathapura happened in 110 AD, during the reign of [[Vankanasika Tissa]], the ruler of the [[House of Lambakanna I|Lambakanna dynasty]]. Karikala had a powerful [[Chola navy|navy]], which he used to capture Sri Lanka. During the campaign, Karikala’s forced defeated Vankanasika Tissa and captured 12,000 Sinhalese Prisoners along with treasures and The war Prosoners was to work as slaves to build the Kaveri Dam.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wijesekera |first=Nandadeva |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=zoNuAAAAMAAJ&q=Karikala+Chola+Srilanka&dq=Karikala+Chola+Srilanka&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiIwfXkpJKUAxVeQ_EDHWPGDsEQ6AF6BAgNEAM#Karikala%20Chola%20Srilanka |title=Contacts and Conflicts with Sri Lanka |date=1986 |publisher=N. Wijesekera |language=en}}</ref> Kallanai is a massive dam of unhewn stone, 329 metres (1,080 ft) long and 20 metres (60 ft) wide, across the main stream of the Kaveri. A later Chola record from Tiruvaduturai refers to this event that is raising the banks of the Kaveri by Parakesari Karikala Chola.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Subramaniam |first=N. |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.462306 |title=History Of Tamilnad |date=1962}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=REDDY |first=Prof P. CHENNA |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=j1amEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA144&dq=12,000+prisoners+karikala&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiH5O7fsYmUAxVJUGwGHQNyOPMQ6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=12,000%20prisoners%20karikala&f=false |title=REVISITING INDIA’S PAST: Commemoration Volume to Prof. Vijay Kumar Thakur |date=2023-01-09 |publisher=Blue Rose Publishers |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Navaratnam |first=C. S. |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=pUKAr_2qEhwC&q=Karikala+Chola+12+000+prisoners&dq=Karikala+Chola+12+000+prisoners&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjaqeDwuomUAxURSmwGHZk6DsMQ6AF6BAgLEAM#12000 |title=Tamils and Ceylon: From the Earliest Period Up to the End of the Jaffna Dynasty with a Chart of Important Events Up to 1900 |date=1958 |language=en}}</ref>

According to the Rajavaliya, Vankanasika Tissa ruled for three years. During his reign, the king of the Chola country landed in Sri Lanka with a Tamil army and, according to the chronicle, took 12,000 people away as prisoners.<ref>{{cite book
|editor-last=Gunasekara
|editor-first=B.
|title=The Rajavaliya
|publisher=George J. A. Skeen
|location=Colombo
|year=1900
|page=47
|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.42908/page/n62/mode/1up
}}</ref>

=== Conquest of Tondainadu and Andhra from Pallavas ===
Based on numerous village records and [[Telugu Chodas|Telugu Chola]] inscriptions found in Andhra, Karikala seems to have battled against a Pallava king named Trilochana Pallava or Mukhanti Pallava or Mukhanti Kaduvetti and captured [[Tondaimandalam|Tondainadu]], leaving the southern Telugu country to the Pallava king. The Pallava king who had [[Kanchipuram|Kanchi]] as his capital moved the capital to [[Srikalahasti|Kalahasti]] after losing Kanchi in the battle. The inscriptions also says that Karikala ordered Trilochana Pallava to come and assist him in building the flood banks along the Kaveri river. But the Pallava king who was ruling from Kalahasti declined to obey which made Karikala to declare war against him. Karikala won the battle and captured the Telugu country. During that time period, southern Andhra was covered with big forests which is not fit for cultivation. So, Karikala destroyed the forests and planted many villages. One of the villages is Pottapi, which was the most important village and hence the whole locality acquired in course of time the name Pottapi Nadu. Unlike Trilochana Pallava, Karikala Chola donated lands not only to Brahmins but also to the cultivators.<ref>{{Cite book |last=N. |first=Venkata Ramanayya |title=Trilochana Pallava And Karikala Chola |publisher=V. Ramaswamy Sastrulu & Sons |year=1929 |location=Madras |pages=65–69 |language=English}}</ref>

=== Northern Expedition and Conquests ===

According to Kalingathuparani verse - 178 Praise Karikala Chola Himalayan Expenditon:

{{Quote|"When the Chola king Karikālan went to the northern countries to fight,
the Himalaya mountain stopped him.
He turned the hill upside down with a chendu weapon, planted his tiger banner on it and said
to Himalaya, “May you become as before!”
and made the hill straight again."|Kalingathuparani - 178<ref>{{cite web
|title=Kalingathupparani (The War of Kalingam) - English Translation
|author=Kausalya Hart
|publisher=Project Madurai |url=https://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0730.html
|access-date=2 October 2026
}}</ref>}}

According to Silapathikaram, Indira vilavureduttakadai verses 89 to 110 Mentioned Karikala Chola Military Achivements:

{{quote|"Once Tirumavalavan felt that there was no foe on either side fit to fight with him and thinking, in his thirst for war, that there might be foes in the north, he had an auspicious day chosen for taking out hig sword, umbrella and war-drum, and he prayed to his guardian deity that he might be lucky enough to find an enemy fit to encounter his broad shoulders, and advanced in that direction. Finding the great Himalayas, the residence of gods, as the barrier arresting his further progress, he retreated with pride after engraving his tiger-emblem on its rocky side.
On his return, the king of the great [[Vatsa|Vacciranadu]] whose sway extended as far as the roaring sea (in the east), gave him a pearl canopy as tribute while th» king of [[Magadha]] famous for his sword-play, and his enemy a while ago, presented to him an audience-hall (pattimandapam) . The king of [[Avanti]] gave him a friendly present of a tall and beautiful arch on the gateway. Though all these were made of gold and gems, their technique was not known to human artists even of exceptional skill ; they were long ago given to the ancestors of these three monarchs by the divine Maya in return for some valuable service rendered to him. When they were all placed together, they formed an artistic mandapam much praised by great men."|Silapathikaram,Indira vilavureduttakadai 89-110<ref>{{cite book |last=Dikshitar |first=V. R. Ramachandra |title=The Silappadikaram |publisher=Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford |year=1939 |page=114 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.201802/page/n128/mode/1up |access-date=7 August 2026 |chapter=Indira Vilavureduttakadai, verses 89–110}}</ref>}}

According to [[Cilappatikaram]], Nadukarkadai mentioned about Karikala Chola Successful North India Campaign and he received gifts from [[Indo-Aryan peoples|north]] Indian kingdoms by tributary it's follows:

{{quote|"O king with the tumbai and the anklet, tokens of success in battle! Attended by these vanquished [[Aryan|Arya]] kings we went to the ancient city of Sembiyan ([[Chola]]) and paid our respects to him through his officers. Seated in the ornamented mandapam constructed (with the materials received as gifts) from the Vaccira ([[Vatsa]]), [[Pradyota dynasty|Avanti]] and [[Magadha]] kings, he remarked to the commander of his chariot corps occupying the front rank of the army : ' it is no achievement to capture in the wide expanse of the battlefield those who, after displaying great military prowess, gave up their umbrellas and swords and fled in the disguise of non-combatants.”|source=[[Cilappatikaram]], Nadukarkadai 78 - 94<ref>{{cite book
|last=Dikshitar
|first=V. R. Ramachandra
|title=The Silappadikaram
|year=1939
|publisher=Oxford University Press |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.35913/page/319/mode/1up
|page=319
|access-date=26 April 2026
}}</ref>
}}
After subduing the south Karikala went on an expedition to the north and engraved his tiger emblem in the Himalayas. The king of the great [[Vajra (king)|Vajra]] whose sway extended as far as the roaring sea (in the east), gave him a pearl canopy as a tribute while the king of [[Magadha]] famous for his sword-play, and his enemy a while ago, presented to him an audience hall (pattimandapam). The king of [[Avanti (Ancient India)|Avanti]] gave him a friendly present of a tall and beautiful arch on the gateway. Though all these were made of gold and gems, their technique was not known to human artists even of exceptional skill; they were long ago given to the ancestors of these three monarchs by the divine [[Mamuni Mayan|Maya]] in return for some valuable service rendered to him.<ref name="The Silappadikaram, page 114">The Śilappadikāram by V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar, p114-115</ref>

== Grand Anicut ==
[[File:Grand Anaicut.JPG|thumb|Kallanai built by Karikala Chola on river Kaveri]]

Sometime between the reign of Sinhalese monarch [[Vankanasika Tissa]], Karikala, with a large army, invaded the island and took away 12,000 Sinhalese men to work as slaves to build the Kaveri Dam.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6nrXAAAAMAAJ&q=sinhalese+slaves+kaveri+dam | isbn=9789555801102 | title=Walking to Kataragama | year=2007 | publisher=International Centre for Ethnic Studies }}</ref>

Later Chola kings attributed the building of dikes along the banks of the [[Kaveri]] to Karikala.<ref name=majumdar137 /><ref name=kulke104 /><ref name="History of ancient India, page 478">''History of ancient India, page 478: ..raising the banks of the Kaveri by Parakesari Karikala Chola''</ref><ref name="Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Volume 39, page 156">''Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Volume 39, page 156</ref> The raising of the banks of the river Kaveri by Karikala is also mentioned by the Malepadu plates (seventh century CE)<ref>{{Cite book|last=R. C. Majumdar|first=General Editor|url=https://archive.org/details/classicalage03bhar|title=History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 03, The Classical Age p.265|date=1970|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan|others=Public Resource}}</ref> of the [[Telugu_Cholas#Renati_Cholas|Telugu Chola]] sovereign of Renadu, [[Tumkur|Erigal]]-Mutturaju Punyakumara, who claims descent from Karikala: ''karuna – saroruha vihita – vilochana – pallava – trilochana pramukha kilapritvisvara karita kaveri tira'' (he who caused the banks of the Kaveri to be constructed by all the subordinate kings led by the Pallava Trilochana whose third eye was blinded by his lotus foot).

The [[Grand Anicut]], also known as the Kallanai was built by Karikala<ref name="kallanai_googlebook">{{cite book | last = Singh | first = Vijay P. |author2=Ram Narayan Yadava | title = Water Resources System Operation: Proceedings of the International Conference on Water and Environment | publisher = Allied Publishers | year = 2003 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Bge-0XX6ip8C&dq=kallanai&pg=PA508 | isbn = 81-7764-548-X | page = 508}}</ref> and is considered one of the oldest water-diversion or water-regulator structures in the world which is still in use.<ref name="kallanai_oldest">{{cite web | url = http://www.hindunet.org/saraswati/traditionwater.pdf | title = ''This is the oldest stone water-diversion or water-regulator structure in the world''| access-date = 2007-05-27 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070206130842/http://www.hindunet.org/saraswati/traditionwater.pdf |archive-date = 2007-02-06}}</ref> The Kallanai is a massive dam of unhewn stone, 329 metres (1,080 ft) long and 20 metres (60 ft) wide, across the main stream of the Kaveri.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9021884/Cauvery-River|title=Cauvery River – Britannica Online Encyclopedia}}</ref> A later [[Chola]] record from Tiruvaduturai refers to this event that is raising the banks of the Kaveri by Parakesari Karikala Chola.<ref name="Rama Shankar Tripathi 478">{{cite book|title=History of Ancient India|author=Rama Shankar Tripathi|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass, 1967 - India - 605 pages|page=478}}</ref><ref name="Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri 68">{{cite book|title=Studies in Cōḷa history and administration|author=Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri|publisher=University of Madras, 1932 - History - 210 pages|page=68}}</ref>

== Perur Patteeswarar Temple ==
[[File:Perur Patteeswarar1.jpg|thumb|Perur Patteeswarar Temple]]
After his victory over the Northern kingdoms of Vatsa, Magadha and Avantika, Karikala returned back to [[Tamilakam|Tamil land]] and worshipped Lord [[Shiva]] at the [[Perur Pateeswarar Temple, Coimbatore|Perur Pateeswarar Temple]] located at the banks of river [[Noyyal]] in present day [[Coimbatore]]. Karikala was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He is said to have done the [[Kumbhabhishekham]] (sanctification ritual) of the temple through hundred golden vessels. A famous text named '''Perur Puranam''' was composed by Kachiyappa Munivar in Tamil on the origin of the temple.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.perurpatteeswarar.tnhrce.in/history-patteeswarar.html|title=Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple - History|access-date=14 December 2016}}</ref>

=== Karikala Cholan Manimandapam ===
[[File:Karikaala Chozan Memorial -1.jpg|thumb|Karikala Cholan Manimandapam]]
Karikala Cholan Manimandapam (memorial hall) was built in honour of the king who built the Grand Anicut. The hall designed as per Chola architecture style was built at a cost of {{INR}} 21 million. It features a bronze statue of the king.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/Karikalan-cholan-memorial-inaugurated/articleshow/30300318.cms | title=Karikalan cholan memorial inaugurated |newspaper=The Times of India | access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/karikalan-manimandapam-ready-for-inauguration/article5342940.ece | title=Karikalan Manimandapam ready for inauguration |work=The Hindu | access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref>

== Dating Karikala ==
According to [[Nilakanta Sastri]] Karikala reigned in 90 CE.<ref name="A History of South India, page 119">A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar, page 119</ref>

However, [[V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar]] states that the Karikala mentioned in [[Silappadikaram]] and [[Sangam literature]] are two different kings and the Karikala mentioned in [[Silappadikaram]] has nothing to do with Trilocana Pallava and nothing prevents another Karikala having flourished in [[Puhar, Nagapattinam|Puhar]] a few centuries later.<ref name="The Silappadikaram, page 24">The Śilappadikāram by V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar, page 24</ref>

The copper-plate charters and stone inscription of the 10th and 11th centuries also mention two different Karikala thus unable to determine his exact reign.

== See also ==
* [[Legendary early Chola kings]]
* [[Tamil history from Sangam literature]]
* [[List of Tamil monarchs]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== Further reading ==

* {{cite book|title=[[A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar]]|first=K. A. Nilakanta|last=Sastri|author-link=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|ref=Sastri}}
* {{cite book | first= Kulke| last= Hermann |author2=Rothermund D| orig-year= 2000| year=2001 | title= A History of India | publisher= Routledge | isbn= 0-415-32920-5}}
* {{cite book | first= R.C | last= Majumdar| year= 1987| title= Ancient India | publisher= Motilal Banarsidass Publications | location= India| isbn= 81-208-0436-8}}
* {{cite book | first= A.S| last= Mudaliar| orig-year= 1931| year= 1984| title= Abithana Chintamani| publisher= Asian Educational Services | location= New Delhi}}
* {{cite book | first= K.A| last= Nilakanta Sastri| author-link=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri | orig-year= 1935| year= 1984| title= The CōĻas| publisher= University of Madras | location= Madras}}
* {{cite book | first= K.A | last= Nilakanta Sastri| orig-year= 1955| year= 2002| title= A History of South India| publisher= OUP| location= New Delhi}}
* {{cite book | first= Rama Sankar| last= Tripathi| year= 1967| title= History of Ancient India| publisher= Motilal Banarsidass Publications| location= India| isbn= 81-208-0018-4}}
* {{cite book | title=History of the Tamils from the Earliest Times to the Present Day| last= Iyengar| first= P. T. Srinivasa | author-link= P. T. Srinivasa Iyengar| year=1929}}
* {{cite book | first= R.| last= Raghava Iyengar| year= 1951| title= Pattinapalai, Research Monograph| publisher= Annamalai University Publications| location= Chidambaram}}

[[Category:Chola kings]]

Karikala

2026-10-02T14:28:12Z

2401:4900:4DD6:15C:F48B:D3FF:FEB9:6DA5: Rajavaliya account chola king srilanka conquest added with citation

{{Short description|Historical Chola king who ruled southern India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name = Karikala Cholan
| native_name =
| title = Peruvalatthaan Thirumavalavan Kaviri Kandan Makkotai Konda Cholan Parakesari ([[Sanskrit]]) <ref name="Rama Shankar Tripathi 478">{{cite book|title=History of Ancient India|author=Rama Shankar Tripathi|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass, 1967 - India - 605 pages|page=478}}</ref><ref name="Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri 68">{{cite book|title=Studies in Cōḷa history and administration|author=Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri|publisher=University of Madras, 1932 - History - 210 pages|page=68}}</ref>
| image = Karikalacholan kallanai trichy.jpg
| alt = Karikala the Great
| reign =
| caption = Bronze statue of Karikāla Chōḻaṉ
| predecessor = [[Ilamcetcenni]]
| successor = [[Nedunkilli]] and [[Nalankilli]]
| spouse = [[Velir]] princess from Nangur<ref>{{cite book|title=Art and culture of Tamil Nadu|author=Irāmaccantiran̲ Nākacāmi|publisher=Sundeep Prakashan, 1980 - Art, Indic - 184 pages|page=140}}</ref>
| spouse-type = Queen
| issue = [[Nalankilli]] [[Nedunkilli]] Māvalattān
| father = [[Ilamcetcenni]]
}}
{{Chola history}}
'''Karikala''' ({{lang-ta| கரிகால சோழன்}}) often referred to as '''Karikala the Great'''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2022/may/21/the-great-cholas-through-the-ages-2456011.html | title=The great Cholas through the ages }}</ref> was a [[Tamils|Tamil]] [[Emperor]] of the early Chola kingdom who ruled ancient [[Tamilakam]] from [[Uraiyur]]. He is credited with the construction of the flood banks of the [[Kaveri|river Kaveri]]. He is recognised as the greatest of the Early Cholas. In Thiruvalangadu plates of [[Rajendra Chola I]], [[Medieval Cholas|Medieval Tamil Cholas]] listed Karikala Chola as one of their ancestors. In Malepadu plates (7th century CE) of Renati Chola king Punyakumara, [[Telugu Cholas]] claimed that they belong to the family of Karikala Chola and praises him for stopping the overflow over the banks of river Kaveri.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hultzsch |first=Eugene |date=1911–1912 |title=Epigraphia Indica |journal=Epigraphia Indica |volume=11 |pages=339 |via=Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India}}</ref>

== Sources ==
The story of Karikala is mixed with legend and anecdotal information gleaned from [[Sangam literature]]. The only sources available are the numerous mentions in Sangam poetry. The period covered by the extant literature of the Sangam is not easy to determine with any measure of certainty.

''[[Paṭṭiṉappālai]]'', ''[[Poruṇarāṟṟuppaṭai]]'' and a number of individual poems in the ''[[Akanaṉūṟu]]'' and ''[[Purananuru]]'' have been the main source for the information that is attributed to Karikala.

No authentic records of Karikala's reign have been found so far. However many rulers and petty chiefs who came after him claimed him as their ancestor and decorated themselves as belonging to the ''[[Chola dynasty|Chola race]] of Karikala and of the [[Kashyapa]] [[gotra]]''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Indian Antiquary, Volume 38|author=Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland|pages=7–8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Andhra Pradesh district gazetteers, Volume 16|author=Andhra Pradesh (India), Bh Sivasankaranarayana|publisher=Printed by the Director of Print. and Stationery at the Govt. Secretariat Press; [copies can be had from: Govt. Publication Bureau, Andhra Pradesh], 1977 - Andhra Pradesh (India)|page=19}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Karikala was the son of [[Ilamcetcenni]].<ref>''Purananuru'' – 266</ref> The name Karikalan has been held to mean "the man with the charred leg" and perpetuates the memory of a fire accident in the early years of his life. Some scholars also hold the view ''kari'' and ''kalan'' are Tamil words meaning "slayer of elephants". ''Poruṇarāṟṟuppaṭai'' describes the back-formed origin legend of this incident as follows:{{quote|The king of [[Uraiyur]] ([[Tiruchirappalli]]) Ilamcetcenni married a [[Velir]] princess from Azhundur and she became pregnant and gave birth to Karikala. Ilamcetcenni died soon after. Due to his young age, Karikala's right to the throne was overlooked and there was political turmoil in the country. Karikala was exiled. When normality returned, the Chola ministers sent a state elephant to look for the prince. The elephant finds the prince hiding in [[Karuvur]] (modern day [[Karur]] in [[Tamil Nadu]]). His political opponents arrested and imprisoned him. The prison was set on fire that night. Karikala escaped the fire and, with the help of his uncle Irum-pitar-thalaiyan, defeated his enemies. Karikala’s leg was scorched in the fire and from thence Karikala became his name.}}Old Sangam Age inscriptions and the sthala puranam of the great ancient Saiva shrine at Parasalur, near [[Mayiladuthurai|Mayavaram]], state that in order to escape a murder plot hatched by conspirators, Karikal Valavan stayed there in disguise as a Vedic and Agama Sastra lecturer for eight years. The [[Paṭṭiṉappālai]], written in praise of Karikala, also describes this incident but without mentioning the fable of the burnt limb:
{{quote|Like a tiger cub with sharp claws and curved stripes growing strong within a cage, his strength matured while he was in the bondage of his enemies. Just as a large-trunked elephant pulls down the banks of a pit and reunites with its mate, he, after deep and careful consideration, drew his sword, overpowered the strong guard, and eventually achieved his glorious heritage.}}

== Military conquests ==
{{cquote|"You delight in looting the enemy's country by the light of the destructive fires which you have started. Because of your plunder, the enemy's land is deprived of all good things." <ref>{{cite journal
|last=Spencer
|first=George W.
|title=The Politics of Plunder: The Cholas in Eleventh-Century Ceylon
|page=405
}}</ref>}}

According to Purananuru poem verse - 7:

{{cquote|"Your legs press and command elephants and
your perfect feet are rubbed by your warrior anklets.
Your bow that dazzles the eyes rests in your charitable
hands, to release arrows in battles. Your chest is so broad, and Thirumakal forsakes others for it. You have the strength to drive back elephants. You do not consider whether it is day or night to plunder enemy towns, blazing them as their citizens cry loudly.

O Valavan riding your elegant chariot! There is nothing
good remaining in your enemy countries where there were prosperous towns, where, instead of mud, they used fish to block holes of dams with sounds of cool flowing water!"<ref>{{cite web
|title=Ettuthokai – Purananuru 1–200 |url=https://sangamtranslationsbyvaidehi.com/ettuthokai-purananuru-1-200/
|website=Sangam Translations by Vaidehi
|access-date=10 September 2026
}}</ref>}}

=== Battle of Venni ===
{{Main|Battle of Venni}}
Karikala’s Naval Power and the Battle of Venni — described in Purananuru - 66 by Venni Kuyathiyar:

{{Quote|"O heir of a mighty man who mastered the movement of the wind and had his ships sail on the huge, full ocean! O Karikalan who owns rutting elephants! You who won displaying your strength in the battlefield near prosperous Venni town"|Purananuru - 66<ref>{{cite book |last=Herbert |first=Vaidehi |title=Purananuru: Translation in English with Meanings |page=147}}</ref>}}
According to the '' Poruṇarāṟṟuppaṭai'', Karikala Chola fought a great [[Battle of Venni]] in which both [[Pandyan dynasty|Pandyan]] and [[Chera dynasty|Cheran]] king [[Uthiyan Cheralathan]]<ref>{{cite book|title=[[A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar]]|first=K. A. Nilakanta|last=Sastri|author-link=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|ref=Sastri}} </ref> suffered a defeat.<ref name=majumdar137>See Majumdar, p 137</ref> Although we know very little about the circumstances leading to this battle, there can be no doubt that it marked the turning point in Karikala’s career, for in this battle he broke the back of the powerful confederacy formed against him.<ref name=tri458>See Tripathi, p 458</ref> Besides the two crowned kings of the Pandya and Chera countries, eleven minor chieftains took the opposing side in the campaign and shared defeat at the hands of Karikala.<ref name=kulke104>See Kulke and Rothermund, p 104</ref><ref name=Balambal>{{cite book|title=Studies in the History of the Sangam Age|pages=21|isbn=978-8185163871|year=1998|last=V.|first=Balambal|publisher=Kalinga Publications|location=New Delhi}}</ref> The Chera king, who was wounded on his back in the battle, committed suicide by starvation. Venni was the watershed in the career of Karikala which established him firmly on his throne and secured for him some sort of hegemony among the three crowned monarchs. Venni is also known as Vennipparandalai and now it is known as [[Kovilvenni]] and is situated near [[Thanjavur]].<ref name=sastri112>See Nilakanta Sastri, ''A History of South India'', p112-113</ref>

=== Battle of Vahaipparandalai ===

According to Pattinapalai verse:

{{quote|"Those from Oli land are humble and under
his control. Those from the ancient Aruva
land submit to him. Northerners lose to
him and Kudanadu ruler bows to his might.
He captures enemy forts and ruins the strengths
of the Pandiyan king. He ruins the weak forest
kings and their heirs with enraged red eyes,
as well as king Irungovel's clan, with his huge
army of brave warriors."|source =Pattinapalai (274 - 285)<ref>{{cite web |title=Pathuppāttu – Pattinappālai |url=https://sangamtranslationsbyvaidehi.com/pathuppattu-pattinappalai/ |author=Vaidehi Herbert |access-date=5 August 2026 |publisher=Sangam Poems Translated by Vaidehi |language=en |at=lines 274–285}}</ref>
}}
The [[Battle of Vahaipparandalai]] was a significant military engagement during the Sangam period in South India, fought by the Chola king Karikala. In this battle,[[Karikala Chola]] defeated confederacy of nine enemy chieftains, forcing them to submit. This victory, along with his earlier triumph at the [[Battle of Venni]], solidified Karikala's dominance over the [[Tamilakam|Tamil region]] and established him as a powerful ruler.[[Paranar]], a contemporary of Karikala, in his poem from ''[[Agananuru]]'' mentions this incident without giving any information on the cause of the conflict.<ref name="sastri112">See Nilakanta Sastri, ''A History of South India'', p112-113</ref><ref name="NilakantaSastri120">{{Cite book |last=K. A. Nilakanta Sastry |url=http://archive.org/details/history-of-south-india-k.-a.-nilkanta-sastry |title=A History Of South India (K. A. Nilakanta Sastry)}}</ref>The Confederacy of Nine kings and their vassals were defeated by him , Numerous Oliyars Submitted to him , The Pallavas of Kanchi and the Kurumbas were Compelled to accept his sovereignty. The Battle of Vahaiparantalai make karikala master of vast domination including Thondaimandalam . Pattinapalai mentioned the city was strong walls with Goddess of victory and karikala furnished with door tiger cryst engraved . Pattinapalai also said Karikala chola has no enemies that he left his capital puhar with sword and proceeded his rule north up to Himalayas . Bramanical sacrifice was encouraged in his rule and karikala patrone litterature.According to Seshadri sastri karikala reign was 113AD to 135 AD.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mahajan |first=V. D. |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=sjscEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA622&dq=karikala+kurumbas&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwinn5v7xoeWAxUrzDgGHYAWEGIQ6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=Vahaiparantalai&f=false |title=Ancient India |publisher=S. Chand Publishing |isbn=978-93-5283-603-1 |language=en}}</ref> Oliyar, Aruvalar ,Vadavar , Kudavar , Tennavar ,Poduvar Irungovel were defeated in that battle of Vahaiparantalai.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kalidos |first=Raju |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=zG1uAAAAMAAJ&q=Karikala+defeated+vadavar&dq=Karikala+defeated+vadavar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjExvvws4iWAxVdQmwGHT4UKAsQ6AF6BAgIEAM#oliyar |title=History and Culture of the Tamils: From Prehistoric Times to the President's Rule |date=1976 |publisher=Vijay Publications |language=en}}</ref> "The famous victor, the Sola, Karikal, protected the families of the Kurumbar who tend (flocks) onthe hill-tops".the poem also states karikala destroyed forests and turned into habbitable places.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Srinivas Iyengar |first=P. T. |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.277107 |title=History of the Tamils from the earliest times to 600 A.D |date=1929}}</ref> According to Paranar The nine princess with large army who proposed karikala probably Kurumbas and they were defeated by Karikala in that battle .<ref>{{Cite book |last=V. Kanakasabhai |url=http://archive.org/details/TheTamilsEighteenHundredYearsAgo1956 |title=The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago |date=1956}}</ref>

=== Srilanka Conquests ===
Historian Ma. Rācamāṇikkanār cites the Kalingattuparani as a source for the Sri Lankan campaign of Karikala Chola. According to him, after returning from his expedition to the Himalayas, Karikala proceeded to Sri Lanka with a naval force, conquered it, left one of his military commanders to govern there, and returned to the Chola country. He further states that the Kalingattuparani says that Karikala brought twelve thousand families to the Chola country on his return. In a footnote concerning this account, Rācamāṇikkanār cites W. Geiger’s A Short History of Ceylon for the Mahāvaṃsa chronology concerning a period of Tamil rule in Sri Lanka from 44 BCE to 17 BCE.<ref>{{cite web
|last=இராசமாணிக்கனார்
|first=மா.
|title=சோழர் வரலாறு
|publisher=பூரம் பதிப்பகம்
|location=சென்னை
|year=1947
|url=https://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0600_01.html
|access-date=2026-10-02
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book
|last=இராசமாணிக்கனார்
|first=மா.
|title=சோழர் வரலாறு: மூன்று பாகங்கள்
|publisher=பூரம் பதிப்பகம்
|location=சென்னை
|year=1947
|pages=58–59 |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZl9kZpy.TVA_BOK_0003900/page/57/mode/1up
}}</ref>

According to legends Karikala was one of the few Chola kings who won the whole of Ceylon(Lanka). The Grand anicut was built after his conquest over the Singalese kingdom and he used Singalese war prisoners for the hard task of moving stones from the mountains to the river bed of the Kaveri.{{cn|date=October 2021}} The ''Pattinappalai'' also describes the destruction caused by Karikala’s armies in the territories of his enemies and adds that as the result of these conflicts, the "Northerners and Westerners were depressed… and his flushed look of anger caused the Pandya’s strength to give way…".

The Chola invasion of Anurathapura happened in 110 AD, during the reign of [[Vankanasika Tissa]], the ruler of the [[House of Lambakanna I|Lambakanna dynasty]]. Karikala had a powerful [[Chola navy|navy]], which he used to capture Sri Lanka. During the campaign, Karikala’s forced defeated Vankanasika Tissa and captured 12,000 Sinhalese Prisoners along with treasures and The war Prosoners was to work as slaves to build the Kaveri Dam.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wijesekera |first=Nandadeva |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=zoNuAAAAMAAJ&q=Karikala+Chola+Srilanka&dq=Karikala+Chola+Srilanka&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiIwfXkpJKUAxVeQ_EDHWPGDsEQ6AF6BAgNEAM#Karikala%20Chola%20Srilanka |title=Contacts and Conflicts with Sri Lanka |date=1986 |publisher=N. Wijesekera |language=en}}</ref> Kallanai is a massive dam of unhewn stone, 329 metres (1,080 ft) long and 20 metres (60 ft) wide, across the main stream of the Kaveri. A later Chola record from Tiruvaduturai refers to this event that is raising the banks of the Kaveri by Parakesari Karikala Chola.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Subramaniam |first=N. |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.462306 |title=History Of Tamilnad |date=1962}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=REDDY |first=Prof P. CHENNA |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=j1amEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA144&dq=12,000+prisoners+karikala&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiH5O7fsYmUAxVJUGwGHQNyOPMQ6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=12,000%20prisoners%20karikala&f=false |title=REVISITING INDIA’S PAST: Commemoration Volume to Prof. Vijay Kumar Thakur |date=2023-01-09 |publisher=Blue Rose Publishers |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Navaratnam |first=C. S. |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=pUKAr_2qEhwC&q=Karikala+Chola+12+000+prisoners&dq=Karikala+Chola+12+000+prisoners&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjaqeDwuomUAxURSmwGHZk6DsMQ6AF6BAgLEAM#12000 |title=Tamils and Ceylon: From the Earliest Period Up to the End of the Jaffna Dynasty with a Chart of Important Events Up to 1900 |date=1958 |language=en}}</ref>

According to the Rajavaliya, Vankanasika Tissa ruled for three years. During his reign, the king of the Chola country landed in Sri Lanka with a Tamil army and, according to the chronicle, took 12,000 people away as prisoners.<ref>{{cite book
|editor-last=Gunasekara
|editor-first=B.
|title=The Rajavaliya
|publisher=George J. A. Skeen
|location=Colombo
|year=1900
|page=47
|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.42908/page/n62/mode/1up
}}</ref>

=== Conquest of Tondainadu and Andhra from Pallavas ===
Based on numerous village records and [[Telugu Chodas|Telugu Chola]] inscriptions found in Andhra, Karikala seems to have battled against a Pallava king named Trilochana Pallava or Mukhanti Pallava or Mukhanti Kaduvetti and captured [[Tondaimandalam|Tondainadu]], leaving the southern Telugu country to the Pallava king. The Pallava king who had [[Kanchipuram|Kanchi]] as his capital moved the capital to [[Srikalahasti|Kalahasti]] after losing Kanchi in the battle. The inscriptions also says that Karikala ordered Trilochana Pallava to come and assist him in building the flood banks along the Kaveri river. But the Pallava king who was ruling from Kalahasti declined to obey which made Karikala to declare war against him. Karikala won the battle and captured the Telugu country. During that time period, southern Andhra was covered with big forests which is not fit for cultivation. So, Karikala destroyed the forests and planted many villages. One of the villages is Pottapi, which was the most important village and hence the whole locality acquired in course of time the name Pottapi Nadu. Unlike Trilochana Pallava, Karikala Chola donated lands not only to Brahmins but also to the cultivators.<ref>{{Cite book |last=N. |first=Venkata Ramanayya |title=Trilochana Pallava And Karikala Chola |publisher=V. Ramaswamy Sastrulu & Sons |year=1929 |location=Madras |pages=65–69 |language=English}}</ref>

=== Northern Expedition and Conquests ===
According to Silapathikaram, Indira vilavureduttakadai verses 89 to 110 Mentioned Karikala Chola Military Achivements:

{{quote|"Once Tirumavalavan felt that there was no foe on either side fit to fight with him and thinking, in his thirst for war, that there might be foes in the north, he had an auspicious day chosen for taking out hig sword, umbrella and war-drum, and he prayed to his guardian deity that he might be lucky enough to find an enemy fit to encounter his broad shoulders, and advanced in that direction. Finding the great Himalayas, the residence of gods, as the barrier arresting his further progress, he retreated with pride after engraving his tiger-emblem on its rocky side.
On his return, the king of the great [[Vatsa|Vacciranadu]] whose sway extended as far as the roaring sea (in the east), gave him a pearl canopy as tribute while th» king of [[Magadha]] famous for his sword-play, and his enemy a while ago, presented to him an audience-hall (pattimandapam) . The king of [[Avanti]] gave him a friendly present of a tall and beautiful arch on the gateway. Though all these were made of gold and gems, their technique was not known to human artists even of exceptional skill ; they were long ago given to the ancestors of these three monarchs by the divine Maya in return for some valuable service rendered to him. When they were all placed together, they formed an artistic mandapam much praised by great men."|Silapathikaram,Indira vilavureduttakadai 89-110<ref>{{cite book |last=Dikshitar |first=V. R. Ramachandra |title=The Silappadikaram |publisher=Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford |year=1939 |page=114 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.201802/page/n128/mode/1up |access-date=7 August 2026 |chapter=Indira Vilavureduttakadai, verses 89–110}}</ref>}}

According to [[Cilappatikaram]], Nadukarkadai mentioned about Karikala Chola Successful North India Campaign and he received gifts from [[Indo-Aryan peoples|north]] Indian kingdoms by tributary it's follows:

{{quote|"O king with the tumbai and the anklet, tokens of success in battle! Attended by these vanquished [[Aryan|Arya]] kings we went to the ancient city of Sembiyan ([[Chola]]) and paid our respects to him through his officers. Seated in the ornamented mandapam constructed (with the materials received as gifts) from the Vaccira ([[Vatsa]]), [[Pradyota dynasty|Avanti]] and [[Magadha]] kings, he remarked to the commander of his chariot corps occupying the front rank of the army : ' it is no achievement to capture in the wide expanse of the battlefield those who, after displaying great military prowess, gave up their umbrellas and swords and fled in the disguise of non-combatants.”|source=[[Cilappatikaram]], Nadukarkadai 78 - 94<ref>{{cite book
|last=Dikshitar
|first=V. R. Ramachandra
|title=The Silappadikaram
|year=1939
|publisher=Oxford University Press |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.35913/page/319/mode/1up
|page=319
|access-date=26 April 2026
}}</ref>
}}
After subduing the south Karikala went on an expedition to the north and engraved his tiger emblem in the Himalayas. The king of the great [[Vajra (king)|Vajra]] whose sway extended as far as the roaring sea (in the east), gave him a pearl canopy as a tribute while the king of [[Magadha]] famous for his sword-play, and his enemy a while ago, presented to him an audience hall (pattimandapam). The king of [[Avanti (Ancient India)|Avanti]] gave him a friendly present of a tall and beautiful arch on the gateway. Though all these were made of gold and gems, their technique was not known to human artists even of exceptional skill; they were long ago given to the ancestors of these three monarchs by the divine [[Mamuni Mayan|Maya]] in return for some valuable service rendered to him.<ref name="The Silappadikaram, page 114">The Śilappadikāram by V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar, p114-115</ref>

== Grand Anicut ==
[[File:Grand Anaicut.JPG|thumb|Kallanai built by Karikala Chola on river Kaveri]]

Sometime between the reign of Sinhalese monarch [[Vankanasika Tissa]], Karikala, with a large army, invaded the island and took away 12,000 Sinhalese men to work as slaves to build the Kaveri Dam.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6nrXAAAAMAAJ&q=sinhalese+slaves+kaveri+dam | isbn=9789555801102 | title=Walking to Kataragama | year=2007 | publisher=International Centre for Ethnic Studies }}</ref>

Later Chola kings attributed the building of dikes along the banks of the [[Kaveri]] to Karikala.<ref name=majumdar137 /><ref name=kulke104 /><ref name="History of ancient India, page 478">''History of ancient India, page 478: ..raising the banks of the Kaveri by Parakesari Karikala Chola''</ref><ref name="Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Volume 39, page 156">''Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Volume 39, page 156</ref> The raising of the banks of the river Kaveri by Karikala is also mentioned by the Malepadu plates (seventh century CE)<ref>{{Cite book|last=R. C. Majumdar|first=General Editor|url=https://archive.org/details/classicalage03bhar|title=History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 03, The Classical Age p.265|date=1970|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan|others=Public Resource}}</ref> of the [[Telugu_Cholas#Renati_Cholas|Telugu Chola]] sovereign of Renadu, [[Tumkur|Erigal]]-Mutturaju Punyakumara, who claims descent from Karikala: ''karuna – saroruha vihita – vilochana – pallava – trilochana pramukha kilapritvisvara karita kaveri tira'' (he who caused the banks of the Kaveri to be constructed by all the subordinate kings led by the Pallava Trilochana whose third eye was blinded by his lotus foot).

The [[Grand Anicut]], also known as the Kallanai was built by Karikala<ref name="kallanai_googlebook">{{cite book | last = Singh | first = Vijay P. |author2=Ram Narayan Yadava | title = Water Resources System Operation: Proceedings of the International Conference on Water and Environment | publisher = Allied Publishers | year = 2003 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Bge-0XX6ip8C&dq=kallanai&pg=PA508 | isbn = 81-7764-548-X | page = 508}}</ref> and is considered one of the oldest water-diversion or water-regulator structures in the world which is still in use.<ref name="kallanai_oldest">{{cite web | url = http://www.hindunet.org/saraswati/traditionwater.pdf | title = ''This is the oldest stone water-diversion or water-regulator structure in the world''| access-date = 2007-05-27 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070206130842/http://www.hindunet.org/saraswati/traditionwater.pdf |archive-date = 2007-02-06}}</ref> The Kallanai is a massive dam of unhewn stone, 329 metres (1,080 ft) long and 20 metres (60 ft) wide, across the main stream of the Kaveri.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9021884/Cauvery-River|title=Cauvery River – Britannica Online Encyclopedia}}</ref> A later [[Chola]] record from Tiruvaduturai refers to this event that is raising the banks of the Kaveri by Parakesari Karikala Chola.<ref name="Rama Shankar Tripathi 478">{{cite book|title=History of Ancient India|author=Rama Shankar Tripathi|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass, 1967 - India - 605 pages|page=478}}</ref><ref name="Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri 68">{{cite book|title=Studies in Cōḷa history and administration|author=Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri|publisher=University of Madras, 1932 - History - 210 pages|page=68}}</ref>

== Perur Patteeswarar Temple ==
[[File:Perur Patteeswarar1.jpg|thumb|Perur Patteeswarar Temple]]
After his victory over the Northern kingdoms of Vatsa, Magadha and Avantika, Karikala returned back to [[Tamilakam|Tamil land]] and worshipped Lord [[Shiva]] at the [[Perur Pateeswarar Temple, Coimbatore|Perur Pateeswarar Temple]] located at the banks of river [[Noyyal]] in present day [[Coimbatore]]. Karikala was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He is said to have done the [[Kumbhabhishekham]] (sanctification ritual) of the temple through hundred golden vessels. A famous text named '''Perur Puranam''' was composed by Kachiyappa Munivar in Tamil on the origin of the temple.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.perurpatteeswarar.tnhrce.in/history-patteeswarar.html|title=Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple - History|access-date=14 December 2016}}</ref>

=== Karikala Cholan Manimandapam ===
[[File:Karikaala Chozan Memorial -1.jpg|thumb|Karikala Cholan Manimandapam]]
Karikala Cholan Manimandapam (memorial hall) was built in honour of the king who built the Grand Anicut. The hall designed as per Chola architecture style was built at a cost of {{INR}} 21 million. It features a bronze statue of the king.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/Karikalan-cholan-memorial-inaugurated/articleshow/30300318.cms | title=Karikalan cholan memorial inaugurated |newspaper=The Times of India | access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/karikalan-manimandapam-ready-for-inauguration/article5342940.ece | title=Karikalan Manimandapam ready for inauguration |work=The Hindu | access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref>

== Dating Karikala ==
According to [[Nilakanta Sastri]] Karikala reigned in 90 CE.<ref name="A History of South India, page 119">A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar, page 119</ref>

However, [[V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar]] states that the Karikala mentioned in [[Silappadikaram]] and [[Sangam literature]] are two different kings and the Karikala mentioned in [[Silappadikaram]] has nothing to do with Trilocana Pallava and nothing prevents another Karikala having flourished in [[Puhar, Nagapattinam|Puhar]] a few centuries later.<ref name="The Silappadikaram, page 24">The Śilappadikāram by V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar, page 24</ref>

The copper-plate charters and stone inscription of the 10th and 11th centuries also mention two different Karikala thus unable to determine his exact reign.

== See also ==
* [[Legendary early Chola kings]]
* [[Tamil history from Sangam literature]]
* [[List of Tamil monarchs]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== Further reading ==

* {{cite book|title=[[A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar]]|first=K. A. Nilakanta|last=Sastri|author-link=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|ref=Sastri}}
* {{cite book | first= Kulke| last= Hermann |author2=Rothermund D| orig-year= 2000| year=2001 | title= A History of India | publisher= Routledge | isbn= 0-415-32920-5}}
* {{cite book | first= R.C | last= Majumdar| year= 1987| title= Ancient India | publisher= Motilal Banarsidass Publications | location= India| isbn= 81-208-0436-8}}
* {{cite book | first= A.S| last= Mudaliar| orig-year= 1931| year= 1984| title= Abithana Chintamani| publisher= Asian Educational Services | location= New Delhi}}
* {{cite book | first= K.A| last= Nilakanta Sastri| author-link=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri | orig-year= 1935| year= 1984| title= The CōĻas| publisher= University of Madras | location= Madras}}
* {{cite book | first= K.A | last= Nilakanta Sastri| orig-year= 1955| year= 2002| title= A History of South India| publisher= OUP| location= New Delhi}}
* {{cite book | first= Rama Sankar| last= Tripathi| year= 1967| title= History of Ancient India| publisher= Motilal Banarsidass Publications| location= India| isbn= 81-208-0018-4}}
* {{cite book | title=History of the Tamils from the Earliest Times to the Present Day| last= Iyengar| first= P. T. Srinivasa | author-link= P. T. Srinivasa Iyengar| year=1929}}
* {{cite book | first= R.| last= Raghava Iyengar| year= 1951| title= Pattinapalai, Research Monograph| publisher= Annamalai University Publications| location= Chidambaram}}

[[Category:Chola kings]]

Ellalan

2026-10-02T14:18:36Z

2401:4900:4DD6:15C:F48B:D3FF:FEB9:6DA5: Added rajavaliya account of ellala king

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox monarch
| image = MadrasHighCourtManuNeedhiCholanStatue (cropped).jpg
| caption = Statue of Ellāḷaṉ in the premises of [[Madras High Court]] in [[Chennai]]
| succession = [[List of Sri Lankan monarchs#Anuradhapura Kingdom (437 BC – 1017 AD)|King of Anuradhapura]]
| reign = {{circa|205|161 BCE}}
| religion = [[Shaivism]]
| predecessor = [[Asela of Anuradhapura|Asela]]
| successor = [[Dutugamunu]]
| issue = Veedhividangan<ref name="auto">{{cite news|title=From the annals of history|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-editorialfeatures/from-the-annals-of-history/article484460.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|date=25 June 2010|location=India}}</ref> Princess Shardha
| dynasty = [[Chola Dynasty]] or [[Kalinga (Mahabharata)|Kalingas]] Dynasty (according to some legends)
| birth_date = 235 BCE
| death_date = 161 BCE
}}
{{Chola history}}
'''Ellalan''' ({{lang-ta|எல்லாளன்|translit=Ellāḷaṉ}}; {{lang-si|එළාර|translit=Eḷāra}}) was a member of the Tamil [[Chola dynasty]], also known as "Manu Needhi Cholan", who upon capturing the throne became king of the [[Anuradhapura Kingdom]], in present-day [[Sri Lanka]], from 205 BCE to 161 BCE.<ref name="The Five Kings">{{cite web|title=The Five Kings|url=http://mahavamsa.org/mahavamsa/original-version/21-five-kings/|publisher=mahavamsa.org|access-date=21 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Early history (from 250 BCE – 1000 CE)|url=http://ceylontamils.com/history/history2.php|publisher=Ceylon Tamils|access-date=21 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Elāra|url=http://www.palikanon.com/english/pali_names/e/elaara.htm|publisher=palikanon.com|access-date=21 September 2015}}</ref>

Ellalan is traditionally presented as being a just king even by the Sinhalese.<ref name="Chapter XXV">{{cite web|url=http://lakdiva.org/mahavamsa/chap025.html|title=Chapter XXV|website=lakdiva.org}}</ref> The [[Mahavamsa]] states that he ruled 'with even justice toward friend and foe, on occasions of disputes at law,<ref name="Chapter XXI">{{cite web|url=http://lakdiva.org/mahavamsa/chap021.html|title=Chapter XXI|website=lakdiva.org}}</ref> and elaborates how he even ordered the execution of his son for killing a calf under his chariot wheels.

Ellalan is a peculiar figure in the history of Sri Lanka and one with particular resonance given the past ethnic strife in the country. Although he was an invader, he is often regarded as one of Sri Lanka's wisest and most just monarchs, as highlighted in the ancient [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] Pali chronicle, the ''[[Mahavamsa]]''.

According to the chronicle, even Ellalan's nemesis [[Dutugamunu]] had a great respect for him, and ordered a monument be built where Ellalan was cremated after dying in battle. The [[Dakkhina Stupa]] was believed to be the tomb of Ellalan. Often referred to as 'the Just King', the Tamil name ''Ellāḷaṉ'' means 'the one who rules the boundary".

According to the Rajavaliya, during the reign of King Asela, Ellalan, a Tamil ruler from the Chola country, arrived in Sri Lanka with a large Tamil army and landed at Mahawatutota, located at the mouth of the Mahaveli River. He subsequently attacked Anuradhapura, defeated and killed Asela, and assumed control of the kingdom. The chronicle states that Ellalan constructed 32 fortresses for the Tamils and strengthened the city. It further records that he maintained twenty great champions and, accompanied by 1,080,000 armed Tamils, demolished numerous dagobas in Anuradhapura that it attributed to Devanampiya Tissa. According to the Rajavaliya, Ellalan ruled for 44 years.<ref>{{cite book
|editor-last=Gunasekara
|editor-first=B.
|title=The Rajavaliya
|publisher=George J. A. Skeen
|location=Colombo
|year=1900
|page=25
|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.42908/page/n40/mode/1up
}}</ref>

== Birth and early life ==
Ellalan is described in the ''[[Mahavamsa]]'' as being "A Damila of noble descent . . . from the Chola-country";<ref name="Chapter XXI"/> In that work, he is mentioned as ''Elara''. Little is known of his early life. Around 205 BCE, Ellalan mounted an invasion of the [[Rajarata]] based in Anuradhapura in northern Sri Lanka and defeated the forces of king [[Asela of Anuradhapura]], establishing himself as sole ruler of Rajarata.

He has been mentioned in the ''[[Silappatikaram]]'' and ''[[Periya Puranam]]''.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news|title=Tiruvarur in religious history of Tamil Nadu|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/16/stories/2010071652340600.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718030249/http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/16/stories/2010071652340600.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 July 2010|date=16 July 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> His name has since then been used as a metaphor for fairness and justice in [[Tamil literature]]. His capital was [[Thiruvarur]].

== Defeat and death ==
Despite Ellalan's famously even-handed rule, resistance to him coalesced around the figure of [[Dutugamunu]], a young [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] prince from the kingdom of Mahagama. Towards the end of Ellalan's reign, [[Dutugamunu]] had strengthened his position in the south by defeating his own brother, [[Saddha Tissa of Anuradhapura|Saddha Tissa]], who challenged him. Confrontation between the two monarchs was inevitable and the last years of Ellalan's reign were consumed by the war between the two. Ellalan was near seventy years when the battle with the young Dutugamunu took place.<ref name="Obeyesekere 172">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xiERHFK_QeoC&q=elara&pg=PA172|title=The Work of Culture: Symbolic Transformation in Psychoanalysis and Anthropology|last=Obeyesekere|first=Gananath|date=1990-11-27|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=9780226615981|pages=172|language=en}}</ref>

The ''Mahavamsa'' contains a fairly detailed account of sieges and battles that took place during the conflict.<ref name="Chapter XXV"/> Particularly interesting is the extensive use of [[war elephant]]s and of flaming [[Pitch (resin)|pitch]] in the battles. Ellalan's own war elephant is said to have been [[Maha Pambata|Maha Pabbatha]], or 'Big Rock' and the Dutugamunu's own being '[[Kandula (elephant)|Kandula]]'.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mahavamsa.org/2008/05/war-king-elara/|title=War Against King Elara|website=mahavamsa.org|access-date=2017-12-15}}</ref>

The climactic battle is said to have occurred as Dutugamunu drew close to Anuradhapura. On the night before, both King Ellalan and prince Dutugamunu are said to have conferred with their counsellors. The next day both kings rode forwards on war elephants, Ellalan "in full armour . . . with chariots, soldiers and beasts for riders". Dutugamunu's forces are said to have routed those of Ellalan and that "the water in the tank there was dyed red with the blood of the slain'. Dutugamunu, declaring that 'none shall kill Ellalan but myself', closed on him at the south gate of Anuradhapura, where the two engaged in an elephant-back duel and the aged king was finally felled by one of Dutugamunu's darts.<ref name="Obeyesekere 172"/>
[[File:Dakkhinatupa.jpg|left|thumb|Until 19th century, the [[Dakkhina Stupa]] was believed to be the tomb of Ellalan]]
Following his death, Dutugamunu ordered that Ellāḷaṉ be cremated where he had fallen, and had a monument constructed over the place. The ''Mahavamsa'' mentions that 'even to this day the princes of Lanka, when they draw near to this place, are wont to silence their music'. The [[Dakkhina Stupa]] was until the 19th century believed to have been the tomb of Ellalan and was called ''Elara Sohona'', but was renamed later on by the [[Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka)|Sri Lankan Department of Archaeology]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k15uAAAAMAAJ&q=Elara+Sohona|title=Archaeological Department Centenary (1890-1990): History of the Department of Archaeology|date=1990|publisher=Commissioner of Archaeology|pages=171|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|jstor=2059412|title=Reviewed Work: The Presence of the Past: Chronicles, Politics, and Culture in Sinhala Life.by Steven Kemper|last=McGilvray|first=Dennis B.|publisher=The Journal of Asian Studies|year=1993|location=The University of Colorado Boulder|pages=1058}}</ref> The identification and reclassification is considered controversial.<ref>Indrapala, K. ''The Evolution of an ethnic identity: The Tamils of Sri Lanka'', p. 368</ref>

== Influence ==
The ''Mahavamsa'' contains numerous references to the loyal troops of the Chola empire and portrays them as a powerful force. They held various positions including taking custody of temples during the period of [[Parakramabahu I]] and [[Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa]].<ref name="The tooth relic and the crown, page 59">''The tooth relic and the crown, page 59''</ref><ref name="Epigraphia Zeylanica: being lithic and other inscriptions of Ceylon, Volume 2, page 250">''Epigraphia Zeylanica: being lithic and other inscriptions of Ceylon, Volume 2, page 250''</ref> There were instances when the Sinhalese kings tried to employ them as mercenaries by renaming a section of the most hardcore fighters as ''Mahatantra''. According to historian [[Burton Stein]], when these troops were directed against the Chola empire, they rebelled and were suppressed and decommissioned. But they continued to exist in a passive state by taking up various jobs for livelihood.<ref name="Journal of Tamil studies, Issues 31-32, page 60">''Journal of Tamil studies, Issues 31-32, page 60''</ref> The Valanjayara, a sub-section of the ''Velaikkara'' troops, were one such community, who in the course of time became traders. They were so powerful that the shrine of the tooth-relic was entrusted to their care.<ref name="The Ceylon historical journal, Volumes 1-2, page 197">''The Ceylon historical journal, Volumes 1-2, page 197''</ref><ref name="Culavamsa: Being the More Recent Part of Mahavamsa">''Culavamsa: Being the More Recent Part of Mahavamsa''</ref> When the ''Velaikkara'' troops took custody of the tooth-relic shrine, they called it as ''Mūnrukai-tiruvēlaikkāran daladāy perumpalli''.<ref name="Early South Indian temple architecture: study of Tiruvāliśvaram inscriptions, page 93">''Early South Indian temple architecture: study of Tiruvāliśvaram inscriptions, page 93''</ref> There are also multiple epigraphic records of the ''Velaikkara'' troops. It is their inscriptions, for example the one in Polunnaruwa, that are actually used to fix the length of the reign of Sinhalese kings; in this case, Vijayabahu I (55 years).<ref name="Ceylon journal of historical and social studies, Volume 2, page 34">''Ceylon journal of historical and social studies, Volume 2, page 34''</ref>

The [[Sri Lanka Navy]] Northern Naval Command base in [[Karainagar]], [[Jaffna]] is named the SLNS ''Elara''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vivalanka.com/newspage/228812ai-|title=SLNS Elara conducts Medical and Dental Clinic at Karainagar|access-date=26 February 2015|archive-date=13 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013171315/http://www.vivalanka.com/newspage/228812ai-|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== The Legend of Manu Needhi Cholan ==
[[File:Elara’s bell and cow.jpg|thumbnail|The cow is ringing the bell of Manu Needhi Cholan]]

Ellalan received the title "''Manu Needhi Cholan''" (the Chola who follows justice) because he executed his own son to provide justice to a cow. Legend has it that the king hung a giant bell in front of his courtroom for anyone needing justice to ring. One day, he came out on hearing the ringing of the bell by a cow. Upon enquiry, he found that the calf of that cow had been killed under the wheels of his son's [[chariot]]. In order to provide justice to the cow, Ellalan killed his own son, Veedhividangan, under the chariot as his own punishment i.e. Ellalan made himself suffer as much as the cow.<ref name="auto"/> Impressed by the justice of the king, Lord Shiva blessed him and brought back the calf and his son alive. He has been mentioned in the [[Silappatikaram]] and [[Periya Puranam]].<ref name="auto1"/> His name has since then been used as a metaphor for fairness and justice in [[Tamil literature]]. His capital was [[Thiruvarur]].

The Mahavamsa also states that when he was riding his cart he accidentally hit a [[Stupa|Chetiya]]. After that he ordered his ministers to kill him but the ministers replied that Buddha would not approve such an act. The king asked what he should do to rectify the damage and they said that repairing the structure would be enough which is what he did.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mahavamsa.org/2008/05/king-elara-204-bc-164-bc/|title=King Elara (204 BC – 164 BC)|website=mahavamsa.org|access-date=2017-03-01}}</ref>

Chronicles such as the ''[[Yalpana Vaipava Malai]]'' and stone inscriptions like Konesar Kalvettu recount that [[Kulakkottan]], an early Chola king and descendant of Manu Needhi Cholan, was the restorer of the ruined [[Koneswaram temple]] and tank at [[Trincomalee]] in 438, the [[Munneswaram temple]] of the west coast, and as the royal who settled ancient Vanniyars in the east of the island [[Eelam]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hellmann-Rajanayagam |first1=Dagmar |year=1994 |title=Tamils and the meaning of history |journal=Contemporary South Asia |publisher=Routledge |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages= 3–23 |doi= 10.1080/09584939408719724}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schalk |first1=Peter |year=2002 |title=Buddhism Among Tamils in Pre-colonial Tamilakam and Ilam: Prologue. The Pre-Pallava and the Pallava period |journal=Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis |publisher=[[Uppsala University]] |volume=19-20 |pages= 159, 503 |quote=The Tamil stone inscription ''Konesar Kalvettu'' details King Kulakottan's involvement in the restoration of Koneswaram temple in 438 A.D. (Pillay, K., Pillay, K. (1963). ''South India and Ceylon''); }}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[History of Sri Lanka]]
* [[List of Tamil monarchs]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==


* [http://books.lakdiva.org/codrington/ Sri Lankan history]
* [http://tamilnation.co/heritage/tomb_of_elara.htm The Tomb of Elara at Anuradhapura]
* [http://www.divaina.com/2009/11/04/feature03.html එළාර රජුගේ හිතුවක්‌කාර නීතිය] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808113826/http://www.divaina.com/2009/11/04/feature03.html |date=8 August 2019 }} {{in lang|si}}
* [http://www.noolaham.net/project/01/17/17.htm எல்லாளன் சமாதியும் வரலாற்று மோசடியும்] {{in lang|ta}}

{{S-start}}
{{s-hou|[[Chola dynasty]]|?|235 BC|?|161 BC|}}
{{s-reg|}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Asela of Sri Lanka|Asela]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[King of Anuradhapura]]|years=205 BC–161 BC}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Dutthagamani of Sri Lanka|Dutthagamani]]}}
{{end}}

{{Monarchs of the Anuradhapura Kingdom}}
{{Anuradhapura period topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Usurpers of the Sinhalese throne]]
[[Category:Tamil monarchs]]
[[Category:Chola dynasty]]
[[Category:Monarchs of Anuradhapura]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan Hindus|Ellalan (King)]]
[[Category:235 BC births]]
[[Category:161 BC deaths]]
[[Category:3rd-century BC Sinhalese monarchs]]
[[Category:2nd-century BC Sinhalese monarchs]]

Karikala

2026-10-02T14:09:14Z

2401:4900:4DD6:15C:F48B:D3FF:FEB9:6DA5: Historian rajamanikanar refference about srilanka conquest by Karikala source added

{{Short description|Historical Chola king who ruled southern India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name = Karikala Cholan
| native_name =
| title = Peruvalatthaan Thirumavalavan Kaviri Kandan Makkotai Konda Cholan Parakesari ([[Sanskrit]]) <ref name="Rama Shankar Tripathi 478">{{cite book|title=History of Ancient India|author=Rama Shankar Tripathi|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass, 1967 - India - 605 pages|page=478}}</ref><ref name="Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri 68">{{cite book|title=Studies in Cōḷa history and administration|author=Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri|publisher=University of Madras, 1932 - History - 210 pages|page=68}}</ref>
| image = Karikalacholan kallanai trichy.jpg
| alt = Karikala the Great
| reign =
| caption = Bronze statue of Karikāla Chōḻaṉ
| predecessor = [[Ilamcetcenni]]
| successor = [[Nedunkilli]] and [[Nalankilli]]
| spouse = [[Velir]] princess from Nangur<ref>{{cite book|title=Art and culture of Tamil Nadu|author=Irāmaccantiran̲ Nākacāmi|publisher=Sundeep Prakashan, 1980 - Art, Indic - 184 pages|page=140}}</ref>
| spouse-type = Queen
| issue = [[Nalankilli]] [[Nedunkilli]] Māvalattān
| father = [[Ilamcetcenni]]
}}
{{Chola history}}
'''Karikala''' ({{lang-ta| கரிகால சோழன்}}) often referred to as '''Karikala the Great'''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2022/may/21/the-great-cholas-through-the-ages-2456011.html | title=The great Cholas through the ages }}</ref> was a [[Tamils|Tamil]] [[Emperor]] of the early Chola kingdom who ruled ancient [[Tamilakam]] from [[Uraiyur]]. He is credited with the construction of the flood banks of the [[Kaveri|river Kaveri]]. He is recognised as the greatest of the Early Cholas. In Thiruvalangadu plates of [[Rajendra Chola I]], [[Medieval Cholas|Medieval Tamil Cholas]] listed Karikala Chola as one of their ancestors. In Malepadu plates (7th century CE) of Renati Chola king Punyakumara, [[Telugu Cholas]] claimed that they belong to the family of Karikala Chola and praises him for stopping the overflow over the banks of river Kaveri.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hultzsch |first=Eugene |date=1911–1912 |title=Epigraphia Indica |journal=Epigraphia Indica |volume=11 |pages=339 |via=Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India}}</ref>

== Sources ==
The story of Karikala is mixed with legend and anecdotal information gleaned from [[Sangam literature]]. The only sources available are the numerous mentions in Sangam poetry. The period covered by the extant literature of the Sangam is not easy to determine with any measure of certainty.

''[[Paṭṭiṉappālai]]'', ''[[Poruṇarāṟṟuppaṭai]]'' and a number of individual poems in the ''[[Akanaṉūṟu]]'' and ''[[Purananuru]]'' have been the main source for the information that is attributed to Karikala.

No authentic records of Karikala's reign have been found so far. However many rulers and petty chiefs who came after him claimed him as their ancestor and decorated themselves as belonging to the ''[[Chola dynasty|Chola race]] of Karikala and of the [[Kashyapa]] [[gotra]]''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Indian Antiquary, Volume 38|author=Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland|pages=7–8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Andhra Pradesh district gazetteers, Volume 16|author=Andhra Pradesh (India), Bh Sivasankaranarayana|publisher=Printed by the Director of Print. and Stationery at the Govt. Secretariat Press; [copies can be had from: Govt. Publication Bureau, Andhra Pradesh], 1977 - Andhra Pradesh (India)|page=19}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Karikala was the son of [[Ilamcetcenni]].<ref>''Purananuru'' – 266</ref> The name Karikalan has been held to mean "the man with the charred leg" and perpetuates the memory of a fire accident in the early years of his life. Some scholars also hold the view ''kari'' and ''kalan'' are Tamil words meaning "slayer of elephants". ''Poruṇarāṟṟuppaṭai'' describes the back-formed origin legend of this incident as follows:{{quote|The king of [[Uraiyur]] ([[Tiruchirappalli]]) Ilamcetcenni married a [[Velir]] princess from Azhundur and she became pregnant and gave birth to Karikala. Ilamcetcenni died soon after. Due to his young age, Karikala's right to the throne was overlooked and there was political turmoil in the country. Karikala was exiled. When normality returned, the Chola ministers sent a state elephant to look for the prince. The elephant finds the prince hiding in [[Karuvur]] (modern day [[Karur]] in [[Tamil Nadu]]). His political opponents arrested and imprisoned him. The prison was set on fire that night. Karikala escaped the fire and, with the help of his uncle Irum-pitar-thalaiyan, defeated his enemies. Karikala’s leg was scorched in the fire and from thence Karikala became his name.}}Old Sangam Age inscriptions and the sthala puranam of the great ancient Saiva shrine at Parasalur, near [[Mayiladuthurai|Mayavaram]], state that in order to escape a murder plot hatched by conspirators, Karikal Valavan stayed there in disguise as a Vedic and Agama Sastra lecturer for eight years. The [[Paṭṭiṉappālai]], written in praise of Karikala, also describes this incident but without mentioning the fable of the burnt limb:
{{quote|Like a tiger cub with sharp claws and curved stripes growing strong within a cage, his strength matured while he was in the bondage of his enemies. Just as a large-trunked elephant pulls down the banks of a pit and reunites with its mate, he, after deep and careful consideration, drew his sword, overpowered the strong guard, and eventually achieved his glorious heritage.}}

== Military conquests ==
{{cquote|"You delight in looting the enemy's country by the light of the destructive fires which you have started. Because of your plunder, the enemy's land is deprived of all good things." <ref>{{cite journal
|last=Spencer
|first=George W.
|title=The Politics of Plunder: The Cholas in Eleventh-Century Ceylon
|page=405
}}</ref>}}

According to Purananuru poem verse - 7:

{{cquote|"Your legs press and command elephants and
your perfect feet are rubbed by your warrior anklets.
Your bow that dazzles the eyes rests in your charitable
hands, to release arrows in battles. Your chest is so broad, and Thirumakal forsakes others for it. You have the strength to drive back elephants. You do not consider whether it is day or night to plunder enemy towns, blazing them as their citizens cry loudly.

O Valavan riding your elegant chariot! There is nothing
good remaining in your enemy countries where there were prosperous towns, where, instead of mud, they used fish to block holes of dams with sounds of cool flowing water!"<ref>{{cite web
|title=Ettuthokai – Purananuru 1–200 |url=https://sangamtranslationsbyvaidehi.com/ettuthokai-purananuru-1-200/
|website=Sangam Translations by Vaidehi
|access-date=10 September 2026
}}</ref>}}

=== Battle of Venni ===
{{Main|Battle of Venni}}
Karikala’s Naval Power and the Battle of Venni — described in Purananuru - 66 by Venni Kuyathiyar:

{{Quote|"O heir of a mighty man who mastered the movement of the wind and had his ships sail on the huge, full ocean! O Karikalan who owns rutting elephants! You who won displaying your strength in the battlefield near prosperous Venni town"|Purananuru - 66<ref>{{cite book |last=Herbert |first=Vaidehi |title=Purananuru: Translation in English with Meanings |page=147}}</ref>}}
According to the '' Poruṇarāṟṟuppaṭai'', Karikala Chola fought a great [[Battle of Venni]] in which both [[Pandyan dynasty|Pandyan]] and [[Chera dynasty|Cheran]] king [[Uthiyan Cheralathan]]<ref>{{cite book|title=[[A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar]]|first=K. A. Nilakanta|last=Sastri|author-link=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|ref=Sastri}} </ref> suffered a defeat.<ref name=majumdar137>See Majumdar, p 137</ref> Although we know very little about the circumstances leading to this battle, there can be no doubt that it marked the turning point in Karikala’s career, for in this battle he broke the back of the powerful confederacy formed against him.<ref name=tri458>See Tripathi, p 458</ref> Besides the two crowned kings of the Pandya and Chera countries, eleven minor chieftains took the opposing side in the campaign and shared defeat at the hands of Karikala.<ref name=kulke104>See Kulke and Rothermund, p 104</ref><ref name=Balambal>{{cite book|title=Studies in the History of the Sangam Age|pages=21|isbn=978-8185163871|year=1998|last=V.|first=Balambal|publisher=Kalinga Publications|location=New Delhi}}</ref> The Chera king, who was wounded on his back in the battle, committed suicide by starvation. Venni was the watershed in the career of Karikala which established him firmly on his throne and secured for him some sort of hegemony among the three crowned monarchs. Venni is also known as Vennipparandalai and now it is known as [[Kovilvenni]] and is situated near [[Thanjavur]].<ref name=sastri112>See Nilakanta Sastri, ''A History of South India'', p112-113</ref>

=== Battle of Vahaipparandalai ===

According to Pattinapalai verse:

{{quote|"Those from Oli land are humble and under
his control. Those from the ancient Aruva
land submit to him. Northerners lose to
him and Kudanadu ruler bows to his might.
He captures enemy forts and ruins the strengths
of the Pandiyan king. He ruins the weak forest
kings and their heirs with enraged red eyes,
as well as king Irungovel's clan, with his huge
army of brave warriors."|source =Pattinapalai (274 - 285)<ref>{{cite web |title=Pathuppāttu – Pattinappālai |url=https://sangamtranslationsbyvaidehi.com/pathuppattu-pattinappalai/ |author=Vaidehi Herbert |access-date=5 August 2026 |publisher=Sangam Poems Translated by Vaidehi |language=en |at=lines 274–285}}</ref>
}}
The [[Battle of Vahaipparandalai]] was a significant military engagement during the Sangam period in South India, fought by the Chola king Karikala. In this battle,[[Karikala Chola]] defeated confederacy of nine enemy chieftains, forcing them to submit. This victory, along with his earlier triumph at the [[Battle of Venni]], solidified Karikala's dominance over the [[Tamilakam|Tamil region]] and established him as a powerful ruler.[[Paranar]], a contemporary of Karikala, in his poem from ''[[Agananuru]]'' mentions this incident without giving any information on the cause of the conflict.<ref name="sastri112">See Nilakanta Sastri, ''A History of South India'', p112-113</ref><ref name="NilakantaSastri120">{{Cite book |last=K. A. Nilakanta Sastry |url=http://archive.org/details/history-of-south-india-k.-a.-nilkanta-sastry |title=A History Of South India (K. A. Nilakanta Sastry)}}</ref>The Confederacy of Nine kings and their vassals were defeated by him , Numerous Oliyars Submitted to him , The Pallavas of Kanchi and the Kurumbas were Compelled to accept his sovereignty. The Battle of Vahaiparantalai make karikala master of vast domination including Thondaimandalam . Pattinapalai mentioned the city was strong walls with Goddess of victory and karikala furnished with door tiger cryst engraved . Pattinapalai also said Karikala chola has no enemies that he left his capital puhar with sword and proceeded his rule north up to Himalayas . Bramanical sacrifice was encouraged in his rule and karikala patrone litterature.According to Seshadri sastri karikala reign was 113AD to 135 AD.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mahajan |first=V. D. |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=sjscEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA622&dq=karikala+kurumbas&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwinn5v7xoeWAxUrzDgGHYAWEGIQ6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=Vahaiparantalai&f=false |title=Ancient India |publisher=S. Chand Publishing |isbn=978-93-5283-603-1 |language=en}}</ref> Oliyar, Aruvalar ,Vadavar , Kudavar , Tennavar ,Poduvar Irungovel were defeated in that battle of Vahaiparantalai.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kalidos |first=Raju |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=zG1uAAAAMAAJ&q=Karikala+defeated+vadavar&dq=Karikala+defeated+vadavar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjExvvws4iWAxVdQmwGHT4UKAsQ6AF6BAgIEAM#oliyar |title=History and Culture of the Tamils: From Prehistoric Times to the President's Rule |date=1976 |publisher=Vijay Publications |language=en}}</ref> "The famous victor, the Sola, Karikal, protected the families of the Kurumbar who tend (flocks) onthe hill-tops".the poem also states karikala destroyed forests and turned into habbitable places.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Srinivas Iyengar |first=P. T. |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.277107 |title=History of the Tamils from the earliest times to 600 A.D |date=1929}}</ref> According to Paranar The nine princess with large army who proposed karikala probably Kurumbas and they were defeated by Karikala in that battle .<ref>{{Cite book |last=V. Kanakasabhai |url=http://archive.org/details/TheTamilsEighteenHundredYearsAgo1956 |title=The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago |date=1956}}</ref>

=== Srilanka Conquests ===
Historian Ma. Rācamāṇikkanār cites the Kalingattuparani as a source for the Sri Lankan campaign of Karikala Chola. According to him, after returning from his expedition to the Himalayas, Karikala proceeded to Sri Lanka with a naval force, conquered it, left one of his military commanders to govern there, and returned to the Chola country. He further states that the Kalingattuparani says that Karikala brought twelve thousand families to the Chola country on his return. In a footnote concerning this account, Rācamāṇikkanār cites W. Geiger’s A Short History of Ceylon for the Mahāvaṃsa chronology concerning a period of Tamil rule in Sri Lanka from 44 BCE to 17 BCE.<ref>{{cite web
|last=இராசமாணிக்கனார்
|first=மா.
|title=சோழர் வரலாறு
|publisher=பூரம் பதிப்பகம்
|location=சென்னை
|year=1947
|url=https://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0600_01.html
|access-date=2026-10-02
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book
|last=இராசமாணிக்கனார்
|first=மா.
|title=சோழர் வரலாறு: மூன்று பாகங்கள்
|publisher=பூரம் பதிப்பகம்
|location=சென்னை
|year=1947
|pages=58–59 |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZl9kZpy.TVA_BOK_0003900/page/57/mode/1up
}}</ref>

According to legends Karikala was one of the few Chola kings who won the whole of Ceylon(Lanka). The Grand anicut was built after his conquest over the Singalese kingdom and he used Singalese war prisoners for the hard task of moving stones from the mountains to the river bed of the Kaveri.{{cn|date=October 2021}} The ''Pattinappalai'' also describes the destruction caused by Karikala’s armies in the territories of his enemies and adds that as the result of these conflicts, the "Northerners and Westerners were depressed… and his flushed look of anger caused the Pandya’s strength to give way…".

The Chola invasion of Anurathapura happened in 110 AD, during the reign of [[Vankanasika Tissa]], the ruler of the [[House of Lambakanna I|Lambakanna dynasty]]. Karikala had a powerful [[Chola navy|navy]], which he used to capture Sri Lanka. During the campaign, Karikala’s forced defeated Vankanasika Tissa and captured 12,000 Sinhalese Prisoners along with treasures and The war Prosoners was to work as slaves to build the Kaveri Dam.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wijesekera |first=Nandadeva |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=zoNuAAAAMAAJ&q=Karikala+Chola+Srilanka&dq=Karikala+Chola+Srilanka&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiIwfXkpJKUAxVeQ_EDHWPGDsEQ6AF6BAgNEAM#Karikala%20Chola%20Srilanka |title=Contacts and Conflicts with Sri Lanka |date=1986 |publisher=N. Wijesekera |language=en}}</ref> Kallanai is a massive dam of unhewn stone, 329 metres (1,080 ft) long and 20 metres (60 ft) wide, across the main stream of the Kaveri. A later Chola record from Tiruvaduturai refers to this event that is raising the banks of the Kaveri by Parakesari Karikala Chola.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Subramaniam |first=N. |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.462306 |title=History Of Tamilnad |date=1962}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=REDDY |first=Prof P. CHENNA |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=j1amEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA144&dq=12,000+prisoners+karikala&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiH5O7fsYmUAxVJUGwGHQNyOPMQ6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=12,000%20prisoners%20karikala&f=false |title=REVISITING INDIA’S PAST: Commemoration Volume to Prof. Vijay Kumar Thakur |date=2023-01-09 |publisher=Blue Rose Publishers |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Navaratnam |first=C. S. |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=pUKAr_2qEhwC&q=Karikala+Chola+12+000+prisoners&dq=Karikala+Chola+12+000+prisoners&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjaqeDwuomUAxURSmwGHZk6DsMQ6AF6BAgLEAM#12000 |title=Tamils and Ceylon: From the Earliest Period Up to the End of the Jaffna Dynasty with a Chart of Important Events Up to 1900 |date=1958 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Conquest of Tondainadu and Andhra from Pallavas ===
Based on numerous village records and [[Telugu Chodas|Telugu Chola]] inscriptions found in Andhra, Karikala seems to have battled against a Pallava king named Trilochana Pallava or Mukhanti Pallava or Mukhanti Kaduvetti and captured [[Tondaimandalam|Tondainadu]], leaving the southern Telugu country to the Pallava king. The Pallava king who had [[Kanchipuram|Kanchi]] as his capital moved the capital to [[Srikalahasti|Kalahasti]] after losing Kanchi in the battle. The inscriptions also says that Karikala ordered Trilochana Pallava to come and assist him in building the flood banks along the Kaveri river. But the Pallava king who was ruling from Kalahasti declined to obey which made Karikala to declare war against him. Karikala won the battle and captured the Telugu country. During that time period, southern Andhra was covered with big forests which is not fit for cultivation. So, Karikala destroyed the forests and planted many villages. One of the villages is Pottapi, which was the most important village and hence the whole locality acquired in course of time the name Pottapi Nadu. Unlike Trilochana Pallava, Karikala Chola donated lands not only to Brahmins but also to the cultivators.<ref>{{Cite book |last=N. |first=Venkata Ramanayya |title=Trilochana Pallava And Karikala Chola |publisher=V. Ramaswamy Sastrulu & Sons |year=1929 |location=Madras |pages=65–69 |language=English}}</ref>

=== Northern Expedition and Conquests ===
According to Silapathikaram, Indira vilavureduttakadai verses 89 to 110 Mentioned Karikala Chola Military Achivements:

{{quote|"Once Tirumavalavan felt that there was no foe on either side fit to fight with him and thinking, in his thirst for war, that there might be foes in the north, he had an auspicious day chosen for taking out hig sword, umbrella and war-drum, and he prayed to his guardian deity that he might be lucky enough to find an enemy fit to encounter his broad shoulders, and advanced in that direction. Finding the great Himalayas, the residence of gods, as the barrier arresting his further progress, he retreated with pride after engraving his tiger-emblem on its rocky side.
On his return, the king of the great [[Vatsa|Vacciranadu]] whose sway extended as far as the roaring sea (in the east), gave him a pearl canopy as tribute while th» king of [[Magadha]] famous for his sword-play, and his enemy a while ago, presented to him an audience-hall (pattimandapam) . The king of [[Avanti]] gave him a friendly present of a tall and beautiful arch on the gateway. Though all these were made of gold and gems, their technique was not known to human artists even of exceptional skill ; they were long ago given to the ancestors of these three monarchs by the divine Maya in return for some valuable service rendered to him. When they were all placed together, they formed an artistic mandapam much praised by great men."|Silapathikaram,Indira vilavureduttakadai 89-110<ref>{{cite book |last=Dikshitar |first=V. R. Ramachandra |title=The Silappadikaram |publisher=Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford |year=1939 |page=114 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.201802/page/n128/mode/1up |access-date=7 August 2026 |chapter=Indira Vilavureduttakadai, verses 89–110}}</ref>}}

According to [[Cilappatikaram]], Nadukarkadai mentioned about Karikala Chola Successful North India Campaign and he received gifts from [[Indo-Aryan peoples|north]] Indian kingdoms by tributary it's follows:

{{quote|"O king with the tumbai and the anklet, tokens of success in battle! Attended by these vanquished [[Aryan|Arya]] kings we went to the ancient city of Sembiyan ([[Chola]]) and paid our respects to him through his officers. Seated in the ornamented mandapam constructed (with the materials received as gifts) from the Vaccira ([[Vatsa]]), [[Pradyota dynasty|Avanti]] and [[Magadha]] kings, he remarked to the commander of his chariot corps occupying the front rank of the army : ' it is no achievement to capture in the wide expanse of the battlefield those who, after displaying great military prowess, gave up their umbrellas and swords and fled in the disguise of non-combatants.”|source=[[Cilappatikaram]], Nadukarkadai 78 - 94<ref>{{cite book
|last=Dikshitar
|first=V. R. Ramachandra
|title=The Silappadikaram
|year=1939
|publisher=Oxford University Press |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.35913/page/319/mode/1up
|page=319
|access-date=26 April 2026
}}</ref>
}}
After subduing the south Karikala went on an expedition to the north and engraved his tiger emblem in the Himalayas. The king of the great [[Vajra (king)|Vajra]] whose sway extended as far as the roaring sea (in the east), gave him a pearl canopy as a tribute while the king of [[Magadha]] famous for his sword-play, and his enemy a while ago, presented to him an audience hall (pattimandapam). The king of [[Avanti (Ancient India)|Avanti]] gave him a friendly present of a tall and beautiful arch on the gateway. Though all these were made of gold and gems, their technique was not known to human artists even of exceptional skill; they were long ago given to the ancestors of these three monarchs by the divine [[Mamuni Mayan|Maya]] in return for some valuable service rendered to him.<ref name="The Silappadikaram, page 114">The Śilappadikāram by V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar, p114-115</ref>

== Grand Anicut ==
[[File:Grand Anaicut.JPG|thumb|Kallanai built by Karikala Chola on river Kaveri]]

Sometime between the reign of Sinhalese monarch [[Vankanasika Tissa]], Karikala, with a large army, invaded the island and took away 12,000 Sinhalese men to work as slaves to build the Kaveri Dam.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6nrXAAAAMAAJ&q=sinhalese+slaves+kaveri+dam | isbn=9789555801102 | title=Walking to Kataragama | year=2007 | publisher=International Centre for Ethnic Studies }}</ref>

Later Chola kings attributed the building of dikes along the banks of the [[Kaveri]] to Karikala.<ref name=majumdar137 /><ref name=kulke104 /><ref name="History of ancient India, page 478">''History of ancient India, page 478: ..raising the banks of the Kaveri by Parakesari Karikala Chola''</ref><ref name="Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Volume 39, page 156">''Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Volume 39, page 156</ref> The raising of the banks of the river Kaveri by Karikala is also mentioned by the Malepadu plates (seventh century CE)<ref>{{Cite book|last=R. C. Majumdar|first=General Editor|url=https://archive.org/details/classicalage03bhar|title=History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 03, The Classical Age p.265|date=1970|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan|others=Public Resource}}</ref> of the [[Telugu_Cholas#Renati_Cholas|Telugu Chola]] sovereign of Renadu, [[Tumkur|Erigal]]-Mutturaju Punyakumara, who claims descent from Karikala: ''karuna – saroruha vihita – vilochana – pallava – trilochana pramukha kilapritvisvara karita kaveri tira'' (he who caused the banks of the Kaveri to be constructed by all the subordinate kings led by the Pallava Trilochana whose third eye was blinded by his lotus foot).

The [[Grand Anicut]], also known as the Kallanai was built by Karikala<ref name="kallanai_googlebook">{{cite book | last = Singh | first = Vijay P. |author2=Ram Narayan Yadava | title = Water Resources System Operation: Proceedings of the International Conference on Water and Environment | publisher = Allied Publishers | year = 2003 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Bge-0XX6ip8C&dq=kallanai&pg=PA508 | isbn = 81-7764-548-X | page = 508}}</ref> and is considered one of the oldest water-diversion or water-regulator structures in the world which is still in use.<ref name="kallanai_oldest">{{cite web | url = http://www.hindunet.org/saraswati/traditionwater.pdf | title = ''This is the oldest stone water-diversion or water-regulator structure in the world''| access-date = 2007-05-27 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070206130842/http://www.hindunet.org/saraswati/traditionwater.pdf |archive-date = 2007-02-06}}</ref> The Kallanai is a massive dam of unhewn stone, 329 metres (1,080 ft) long and 20 metres (60 ft) wide, across the main stream of the Kaveri.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9021884/Cauvery-River|title=Cauvery River – Britannica Online Encyclopedia}}</ref> A later [[Chola]] record from Tiruvaduturai refers to this event that is raising the banks of the Kaveri by Parakesari Karikala Chola.<ref name="Rama Shankar Tripathi 478">{{cite book|title=History of Ancient India|author=Rama Shankar Tripathi|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass, 1967 - India - 605 pages|page=478}}</ref><ref name="Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri 68">{{cite book|title=Studies in Cōḷa history and administration|author=Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri|publisher=University of Madras, 1932 - History - 210 pages|page=68}}</ref>

== Perur Patteeswarar Temple ==
[[File:Perur Patteeswarar1.jpg|thumb|Perur Patteeswarar Temple]]
After his victory over the Northern kingdoms of Vatsa, Magadha and Avantika, Karikala returned back to [[Tamilakam|Tamil land]] and worshipped Lord [[Shiva]] at the [[Perur Pateeswarar Temple, Coimbatore|Perur Pateeswarar Temple]] located at the banks of river [[Noyyal]] in present day [[Coimbatore]]. Karikala was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He is said to have done the [[Kumbhabhishekham]] (sanctification ritual) of the temple through hundred golden vessels. A famous text named '''Perur Puranam''' was composed by Kachiyappa Munivar in Tamil on the origin of the temple.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.perurpatteeswarar.tnhrce.in/history-patteeswarar.html|title=Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple - History|access-date=14 December 2016}}</ref>

=== Karikala Cholan Manimandapam ===
[[File:Karikaala Chozan Memorial -1.jpg|thumb|Karikala Cholan Manimandapam]]
Karikala Cholan Manimandapam (memorial hall) was built in honour of the king who built the Grand Anicut. The hall designed as per Chola architecture style was built at a cost of {{INR}} 21 million. It features a bronze statue of the king.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/Karikalan-cholan-memorial-inaugurated/articleshow/30300318.cms | title=Karikalan cholan memorial inaugurated |newspaper=The Times of India | access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/karikalan-manimandapam-ready-for-inauguration/article5342940.ece | title=Karikalan Manimandapam ready for inauguration |work=The Hindu | access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref>

== Dating Karikala ==
According to [[Nilakanta Sastri]] Karikala reigned in 90 CE.<ref name="A History of South India, page 119">A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar, page 119</ref>

However, [[V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar]] states that the Karikala mentioned in [[Silappadikaram]] and [[Sangam literature]] are two different kings and the Karikala mentioned in [[Silappadikaram]] has nothing to do with Trilocana Pallava and nothing prevents another Karikala having flourished in [[Puhar, Nagapattinam|Puhar]] a few centuries later.<ref name="The Silappadikaram, page 24">The Śilappadikāram by V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar, page 24</ref>

The copper-plate charters and stone inscription of the 10th and 11th centuries also mention two different Karikala thus unable to determine his exact reign.

== See also ==
* [[Legendary early Chola kings]]
* [[Tamil history from Sangam literature]]
* [[List of Tamil monarchs]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== Further reading ==

* {{cite book|title=[[A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar]]|first=K. A. Nilakanta|last=Sastri|author-link=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|ref=Sastri}}
* {{cite book | first= Kulke| last= Hermann |author2=Rothermund D| orig-year= 2000| year=2001 | title= A History of India | publisher= Routledge | isbn= 0-415-32920-5}}
* {{cite book | first= R.C | last= Majumdar| year= 1987| title= Ancient India | publisher= Motilal Banarsidass Publications | location= India| isbn= 81-208-0436-8}}
* {{cite book | first= A.S| last= Mudaliar| orig-year= 1931| year= 1984| title= Abithana Chintamani| publisher= Asian Educational Services | location= New Delhi}}
* {{cite book | first= K.A| last= Nilakanta Sastri| author-link=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri | orig-year= 1935| year= 1984| title= The CōĻas| publisher= University of Madras | location= Madras}}
* {{cite book | first= K.A | last= Nilakanta Sastri| orig-year= 1955| year= 2002| title= A History of South India| publisher= OUP| location= New Delhi}}
* {{cite book | first= Rama Sankar| last= Tripathi| year= 1967| title= History of Ancient India| publisher= Motilal Banarsidass Publications| location= India| isbn= 81-208-0018-4}}
* {{cite book | title=History of the Tamils from the Earliest Times to the Present Day| last= Iyengar| first= P. T. Srinivasa | author-link= P. T. Srinivasa Iyengar| year=1929}}
* {{cite book | first= R.| last= Raghava Iyengar| year= 1951| title= Pattinapalai, Research Monograph| publisher= Annamalai University Publications| location= Chidambaram}}

[[Category:Chola kings]]