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Kochchadaiyan Ranadhira

2026-09-09T14:55:22Z

2401:4900:CCE5:18D1:1C5F:17FF:FEB4:2EBF: Added sections on Arikesari’s wars and the Battle of Nelveli, including historical interpretations by Ma. Rasamanikkanar and K. V. Raman, with supporting sources and citations.”

{{short description|Pandiyan king}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{use Indian English|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox royalty
| title = Tenna - Vanavan , Sembiyan , [[Chola|Cholan]], Madura - Karunatakan , Kongar koman (Lord of Kongu country ) , King of Kings<ref>{{cite book
|editor=H. Krishna Sastri
|title=Epigraphia Indica
|volume=17
|year=1924
|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India
|page=332 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.48793/page/n331/mode/1up
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book
|title=Epigraphia Indica, Vol. 17
|editor=H. Krishna Sastri
|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India
|year=1923–1924
|page=341 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.70170/page/n340/mode/1up
}}</ref>
| reign = ''r. c.'' 700 – 730 AD<ref>Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1958, second ed.) ''A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar''. Madras, Oxford University Press. 165.</ref>
| coronation = ''c.'' 700 AD
| full name =
| predecessor = [[Arikesari Maravarman|Arikesari Maravarman Parankusan]]
| successor = [[Maravarman Rajasimha I]]
| spouse 1 = unnamed Pallava princess<ref>{{cite book |last=Jouveau-Dubreuil |first=G. |title=The Pallavas |year=1917 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |page=68 |url=https://archive.org/details/pallavas034964mbp/page/n147/mode/1up}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Nilakanta Sastri |first=K. A. |title=The Pandyan Kingdom: From the Earliest to the Sixteenth Century |year=1929 |publisher=Luzac |location=London |page=57 |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.5955/page/n63/mode/1up}}</ref>
| issue =
| dynasty = Pandya
| father = [[Arikesari Maravarman]]
}}
{{Pandyan}}
'''Kochchadaiyan,''' known as '''Ranadhira,''' (''r. c.'' 700 – 730 AD) was a [[Pandya dynasty|Pandya]] king of early medieval south India. He was the son and successor of [[Arikesari Maravarman]] (''r. c.'' 640 – 690 CE).<ref>Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1958, second ed.) ''A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar''. Madras, Oxford University Press. 165.</ref><ref name=":0">Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1958, second ed.) ''A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar''. Madras, Oxford University Press. 149-50.</ref> The name of the king is famously omitted in the Tamil portion of the Larger Sinnamanur Plates.<ref name=":1">Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1929) ''The Pandyan Kingdom.'' London, Luzac and Company. 55-56.</ref>

== Reign ==
Kochadaiyan Ranadhira succeeded his father [[Arikesari Maravarman]].Kochadaiyan Ranadhira was known for his military prowess and conquests, which are recorded in historical accounts and Inscriptions. He also fought many wars and won during his reign. He had to fight many kings to gain supremacy in the south. The Velvikudi copperplates speak about his victory. Ranadhira defeated the [[Cheras]], [[Cholas]], [[Kongu Nadu|Kongas]], [[Karnatas]] and [[Ay dynasty|Ay chieftains]] in the battles.<ref name="Nilakanta Sastri 1929">{{Cite book |last=Nilakanta Sastri |first=K. A. |url=http://archive.org/details/dli.csl.5955 |title=The Pandyan kingdom : from the earliest to the sixteenth century |date=1929 |publisher=Luzac,London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book
| title = Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XVII (1923–24)
| editor = H. Krishna Sastri
| publisher = Archaeological Survey of India
| location = Calcutta
| year = 1923
| url = https://www.jainfoundation.in/JAINLIBRARY/books/epigraphia_indica_vol_17_032571_std.pdf
| access-date = July 17, 2025
}}</ref> The Velvikkudi grant also mentions he victories at battles of Sengodi and Pudankodu.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Devakunjari |first=D. |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.108286 |title=Madurai Through The Ages: From The Earliest Times To 1801 A.d. |date=1957}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=NWtDAAAAYAAJ&q=pandya+maharathas&dq=pandya+maharathas&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwib_pq_-5qUAxUwUGwGHetVGtc4ChDoAXoECAkQAw#pandya%20maharathas |title=Epigraphia Indica |date=1983 |publisher=Manager of Publications |language=en}}</ref>

== Titles ==
Kochadayan Ranathira bore several titles—Tennan Vanavan, Sembiyan, Cholan, King of Kings, Madurakarunatakan, and Kongar Koamaan—reflecting his military victories and authority over various regions, and he was also known by the title Ranadhira, meaning "ferocious warrior". He was known as Tennan Vanavan for defeating the [[Cheras]], Sembiyan and Cholan for defeating the [[Cholas]], Madurakarunatakan for defeating the [[Karnatas]] (i.e. [[Chalukyas of Badami|Chalukyas]]), and Kongar Koamaan (Lord of Kongas) for defeating the [[Kongu Nadu|Kongu]] country. During his reign, the dominance of the [[Pandya]] kingdom increased further.<ref name="Nilakanta Sastri 1929"/><ref name="EpigraphiaIndicaVol17">{{cite book
| title = ''Epigraphia Indica'', Volume 17
| url = https://www.jainfoundation.in/JAINLIBRARY/books/epigraphia_indica_vol_17_032571_std.pdf
| publisher = Archaeological Survey of India (hosted in Jain Foundation library)
| year = 
| accessdate = 16 July 2025
}}</ref>

These titles, documented in historical records such as the Velvikudi copper plates, provide insights into Kochadaiyan Ranadhira's significant military achievements and his success in expanding the Pandya kingdom's influence across the South Indian region.<ref name="EpigraphiaIndicaVol17">{{cite book
| title = ''Epigraphia Indica'', Volume 17
| url = https://www.jainfoundation.in/JAINLIBRARY/books/epigraphia_indica_vol_17_032571_std.pdf
| publisher = Archaeological Survey of India (hosted in Jain Foundation library)
| year = 
| accessdate = 16 July 2025
}}</ref><ref name="Nilakanta Sastri 1929"/>

== Military achievements ==
=== Expansion into Kongu country ===
Chadaiyan extended the Pandya influence into the [[Kongu Nadu|Kongu country]].<ref name=":0" /> The result of this foray does not appear to have been permanent as the Kongu country is said to have been conquered by his successor also.<ref name="Nilakanta Sastri 1929"/><ref name="EpigraphiaIndicaVol17">{{cite book
| title = ''Epigraphia Indica'', Volume 17
| url = https://www.jainfoundation.in/JAINLIBRARY/books/epigraphia_indica_vol_17_032571_std.pdf
| publisher = Archaeological Survey of India (hosted in Jain Foundation library)
| year = 
| accessdate = 16 July 2025
}}</ref>

=== Suppressing a revolt in the Ay country ===
Ranadhira also suppressed a revolt in the [[Ay dynasty|Ay country]] ([[Trivandrum]]-[[Tirunelveli]]). The Ay chieftain Ay Vel was defeated in the [[Battle of Marudur]] (Tiruppudaimarudur, Ambarasamudram) and had to acknowledge the Pandya supremacy.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="EpigraphiaIndicaVol17">{{cite book
| title = ''Epigraphia Indica'', Volume 17
| url = https://www.jainfoundation.in/JAINLIBRARY/books/epigraphia_indica_vol_17_032571_std.pdf
| publisher = Archaeological Survey of India (hosted in Jain Foundation library)
| year = 
| accessdate = 16 July 2025
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kumar |first=Raj |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=e8o5HyC0-FUC&pg=PA180&dq=kochadaiyan+King&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi3stWT_pqUAxXJwzgGHQFrLBgQ6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=kochadaiyan%20King&f=false |title=Encyclopaedia of Untouchables Ancient, Medieval and Modern |date=2008 |publisher=Gyan Publishing House |isbn=978-81-7835-664-8 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Asserting dominance over Cheras and Cholas ===
Chadaiyan is given the titles "Vanavan", "Chembiyan" and "Chola" which seem to claim supremacy over the [[Chera dynasty|Chera]] and [[Chola dynasty|Chola]]<ref name=":1" /><ref name="EpigraphiaIndicaVol17">{{cite book
| title = ''Epigraphia Indica'', Volume 17
| url = https://www.jainfoundation.in/JAINLIBRARY/books/epigraphia_indica_vol_17_032571_std.pdf
| publisher = Archaeological Survey of India (hosted in Jain Foundation library)
| year = 
| accessdate = 16 July 2025
}}</ref>

=== Victory over the chalukyas ===
In reign of [[Paramesvaravarman I]], he was attacked by the Chalukyan king [[Vikramaditya I]] and seized Kanchipuram after defeating the Pallava king. According to the [[Badami Chalukyas|Chalukyan]] records [[Vikramaditya I]] seems to have pushed on to the south, and he was encamped at Uragapura ([[Uraiyur]]) on the south bank of the Kaveri river on April 25 A.D. 674. Where he was opposed by [[Paramesvaravarman I]] and the [[Pandyan]] king Kochchadaiyan,near Trichinopoly a battle was fought at Peruvalanallur. And the Kendur plates say that [[Vikramaditya I]], fought with the [[Pandyas]].We have also Supposed that [[Pandya]] king was one of the three confederates who gained the victory at Peruvallanallur. [[Pallava]] and [[Pandya]] records equally claim that, in this battle the [[Badami Chalukyas|Chalukyas]] was defeated.The Velvikudi copper plates mention Ranadhira victory over the [[Karnatas]](i.e.,[[Chalukyas of Badami|Chalukyas]]) And bore the title of (Madurakarunatakan).<ref>{{Cite book
| title = Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XVII (1923–24)
| editor = H. Krishna Sastri
| publisher = Archaeological Survey of India
| location = Calcutta
| year = 1923
| url = https://www.jainfoundation.in/JAINLIBRARY/books/epigraphia_indica_vol_17_032571_std.pdf
| access-date = July 17, 2025
}}</ref><ref name="Nilakanta Sastri 1929"/><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=Allan |first=John |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=pMSFAAAAIAAJ&q=Peruvalanallur+war&dq=Peruvalanallur+war&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjD7Lu1ipCUAxUGSmwGHS70LTI4FBDoAXoECAoQAw#Peruvalanallur%20war |title=The Cambridge Shorter History of India |last2=Haig |first2=Sir Wolseley |last3=Dodwell |first3=Henry |date=1964 |publisher=S. Chand |language=en}}</ref> Defeated the Chalukyan forces led by [[Vikramaditya I]], in the [[Battle of Peruvallanallur]].According to N. Subramaniam, the title ‘Ranadhira’ could be interpreted as having been assumed after a victory over Vikramaditya I, also known as ‘Ranarasika’.<ref name="Kitabistam,Allahabad">{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/historicalinscri035270mbp |title=Historical Inscriptions Of Southern INida |publisher=Kitabistam,Allahabad |others=BRAOU, Digital Library Of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=G Jouveau Dubreuil |url=http://archive.org/details/pallavas034964mbp |title=The Pallavas |date=1917 |others=Universal Digital Library}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Subramaniam |first=N. |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.462306 |title=History Of Tamilnad |date=1962}}</ref> Vikramaditya, despite commanding a large army, was forced to leave the battlefield.Based on these evidences, scholars such as [[D. C. Sircar]] theorize that Vikramaditya fought against the Pallavas as a subordinate of his brothers, and ascended the throne only after their deaths.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=121}} The term "[[Three Crowned Kings|three kings]]" apparently refers to the [[Chola]], [[Chera]], and [[Pandya]] rulers who had allied with the [[Pallavas]].{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=120}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chakravarti |first=N. p |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.69621 |title=Epigraphia Indica Vol.22 |date=1933}}</ref><ref name="Kitabistam,Allahabad"/>

Historians Ma. Rasamanikkanar and K. V. Raman suggest that Kochadaiyan Ranadhiran may have assisted his father Nedumaran at the Battle of Nelveli or may have commanded the battle.
Rasamanikkanar considers that the term ‘Vilveli’ or ‘Villavan’, against whom the Pandyas fought at Nelveli, may refer to the Chalukyas.
Raman likewise associates Kochadaiyan's participation with Nedumaran's victory over the Chalukyas at the Battle of Nelveli.
Rasamanikkanar notes that Paramesvaravarman, who defeated Vikramaditya, bore the title ‘Ranajaya’, and that his son Rajasimha, who assisted him, also bore the same title.
Similarly, both scholars suggest that Kochadaiyan may have received the title ‘Ranadhiran’ because of his participation in the Battle of Nelveli.<ref>{{cite book
|last=Raman
|first=K. V.
|title=பாண்டியர் வரலாறு (History of the Pandyas)
|year=1977
|publisher=தமிழ்நாட்டுப் பாடநூல் நிறுவனம் (Tamil Nadu Text Book Society)
|page=63 |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZt3kuIy.TVA_BOK_0000870/page/n71/mode/1up
|access-date=2026-09-02
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Rasamanikkanar |first=Ma. |title=Pallavar Varalaru |page=135 |url=https://archive.org/details/PallavarVaralaru/page/134/mode/1up |language=ta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0526.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com|title=Cekkizar of M. Rajamanickanar (in tamil script, unicode format)|website=www.projectmadurai.org|access-date=2026-09-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=அப்பாதுரையார் |first=கா. |title=தென்னாட்டுப் போர்க்களங்கள் |page=130–136 |url=https://archive.org/details/tva-bok-0012519/page/129/mode/1up |access-date=2026-09-09}}</ref>

=== Victory over Maharathas ===

{{cquote|"at the great city called [[Mangalore|Maagalapura]], where the peacock danced with the cuckoo near tanks perfumed with opening flowers, (Kochadaiyan) attacked and destroyed the Maharathas (and thus) removed the word “common property” (with reference to) the country (bordering) on the roaring seas."<ref>{{cite book
|title=A History of South Kanara: From the Earliest Times to the Fall of Vijayanagara
|publisher=Department of Extension Service & Publications, Karnatak University
|location=Dharwar
|year=1970
|page=56 |url=https://archive.org/details/AHistoryOfSouthKanara/page/n98/mode/1up
}}</ref>
}}

He is also said to have attacked and defeated the "[[Marhatta (region)|Maharathas]]" in the city of Mangalapuram (modern [[Mangalore]]).<ref name=":1" /><ref name="EpigraphiaIndicaVol17">{{cite book
| title = ''Epigraphia Indica'', Volume 17
| url = https://www.jainfoundation.in/JAINLIBRARY/books/epigraphia_indica_vol_17_032571_std.pdf
| publisher = Archaeological Survey of India (hosted in Jain Foundation library)
| year = 
| accessdate = 16 July 2025
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramesh |first=K. V. |url=http://archive.org/details/shdgnga.a-history-of-south-kanara-from-thevearliest-times-to-the-fall-of-vijayan |title=A History of South Kanara from Thevearliest Times to the Fall of Vijayanagara |date=1965-12-31 |publisher=Karnatak University |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra Nath |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC&pg=PA455&dq=pandya+maharathas&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwib_pq_-5qUAxUwUGwGHetVGtc4ChDoAXoECAcQAw#v=onepage&q=pandya%20maharathas&f=false |title=Ancient Indian History and Civilization |date=1999 |publisher=New Age International |isbn=978-81-224-1198-0 |language=en}}</ref> The Velvikkudi copper plates, issued during the reign of Jatila Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan (also identified with Varaguna I, r. c. 765–815 CE), refer to a battle at Mangalapura (generally it identified with present-day Mangalore) in which the “Maharathas” were defeated. This event is often placed in the early 8th century CE and attributed to the reign of Kochadaiyan Ranadhira, the grandfather of Jatila Parantaka.( Varagunavarman l) According to Historian interpret the term “Maharathas” in this context as referring to the Chalukyas of Badami. In this view, the Chalukya ruler Vijayaditya (r. c. 696–733/734 CE) may have been involved in the conflict, possibly along with his subordinate, the Alupa ruler Prithvisagara, who is suggested to have been defeated at Mangalapura. However, the identification of the “Maharathas” with the Chalukyas is not universally accepted and remains a matter of scholarly interpretation.
The campaign is generally regarded as evidence of [[Pandyan]] expansion and influence along the western coast, including regions corresponding to present-day coastal [[Karnataka]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Gururaja Bhatt |first=P. |title=Studies in Tuluva History and Culture |year=1975 |page=28 |url=https://ia801404.us.archive.org/31/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.143078/2015.143078.Studies-In-Tuluva-History-And-Culture_text.pdf}}</ref>

=== Pandya - Pallava relationship ===
Some historians have suggested that there may have been a marriage connection between the Pallava and Pandya royal families. J. Jouveau-Dubreuil proposed that Kochchadaiyan Ranadhira may have married a Pallava princess, possibly establishing a political connection between the Pallavas and Pandyas. K. A. Nilakanta Sastri also recorded the possibility of a marriage connection between Kochchadaiyan Ranadhira and a Pallava princess. The historical nature of this connection remains subject to differing interpretations based on the available evidence.<ref>{{cite book |last=Jouveau-Dubreuil |first=G. |title=The Pallavas |year=1917 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |page=68 |url=https://archive.org/details/pallavas034964mbp/page/n147/mode/1up}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Nilakanta Sastri |first=K. A. |title=The Pandyan Kingdom: From the Earliest to the Sixteenth Century |year=1929 |publisher=Luzac |location=London |page=57 |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.5955/page/n63/mode/1up}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ranadheeran, Kochchadaiyan}}
[[Category:Pandyan kings]]
[[Category:History of Kerala]]
[[Category:735 deaths]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:8th-century Indian monarchs]]

{{India-royal-stub}}
{{India-hist-stub}}

Arikesari Maravarman

2026-09-09T14:51:23Z

{{use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{use Indian English|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox royalty
| title = Maravarman
| name = Arikesari
| image =
| caption =
| reign = c. 640–690 CE
| predecessor = [[Jayantavarman|Seliyan Sendan (Jayantavarman)]]
| successor = [[Kochadaiyan Ranadhiran|Ko Chadaiyan Ranadhira]]
| issue =
| father =
| dynasty = [[Pandyan dynasty|Pandya]]
}}
{{Pandyan}}
'''Arikesari Maravarman''' (''r. c.'' 640–690 CE), also known as '''Parankusa''', was a [[Pandya dynasty|Pandya]] king of early medieval south India.{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=50-51}}

Arikesari's reign witnessed the beginning of the Pandya contest with the [[Pallava dynasty|Pallavas]] in the northern Tamil country.{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=50-51}} He probably entered into an alliance with [[Chalukya dynasty|Chalukyas]] (to the counter the [[Pallava dynasty|Pallavas]]).{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1958|p=147}} However, historian K. M. Venkata Ramaiah notes that Arikesari Maravarman defeated the Chalukyas under Vikramaditya I at the battle of Nelveli, indicating that Pandya–Chalukya relations were not consistently allied.<ref>{{cite book
|last=Venkata Ramaiah
|first=K. M.
|title=A Handbook of Tamil Nadu
|year=1996
|page=246
|annex=Annexure by S. Padmanabhan
|url=https://archive.org/details/acc.-no.-7381-a-handbook-of-tamil-nadu-1996pdf/page/n250/mode/1up
|access-date=2026-09-05
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book
|last=Ramamurthy
|first=V.
|title=History of Kongu: Pre-historic period to 1300 A.D
|publisher=International Society for the Investigation of Ancient Civilization
|year=1986
|page=182
|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=SP03AQAAIAAJ&dq=editions:LCCN86902068&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Nelveli
}}</ref> The Pandyas also came into collision with the [[Chera dynasty|Cheras]] ("Keralas") under his rule.{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=53}}

== Period ==

Arikesari Maravarman was the successor of [[Jayantavarman|Seliyan Sendan (Jayantavarman)]], but it is not known for certain if he was Jayantavarman's son or not (most probably his son).{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=50-51}}

* [[K. A. Nilakanta Sastri]] (the first assumption) - c. 670–710 CE{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=41}}
* [[K. A. Nilakanta Sastri]] (revised date) - c. 670–700 CE{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1958|p=165}}
* [[T. V. Sadasiva Pandarathar]] - c. 640–670 CE{{sfn|N. Subrahmanian|1962|pp=116-117}}
*[[Noboru Karashima|Noburu Karashima]] - c. 650–700 CE{{sfn|Noburu Karashima|2014|pp=370}} (or) c. 670–700 CE{{sfn|Noburu Karashima|2014|pp=86}}
* V. Vedachalam & A. Kalavathi - c. 640–690 CE<ref>{{cite web |last1=Subramanian |first1=T. s |title=‘Pandyan Nindraseer Nedumaran’ review: A warrior-king and his legacy |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-reviews/pandyan-nindraseer-nedumaran-review-a-warrior-king-and-his-legacy/article33139456.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=24 October 2021 |language=en-IN |date=21 November 2020}}</ref>

He was succeeded by his son [[Kochadaiyan Ranadhiran|Kocchadaiyan Ranadhira]].{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=55}}

== Names ==
In the [[Velvikudi inscription|Velvikkudi Grant]] and the Smaller Sinnamanur Plates, his name appears as "Arikesari Maravarman". In the Larger Sinnamanur Plates, he is called "Arikesari Parankusa".{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=50-51}}

== Life and career ==
===Velvikkudi Grant===
The reign of Arikesari Maravarman probably saw a significant increase in the Pandya political power and prestige.{{sfn|N. Subrahmanian|1962|p=119}}

According to the [[Velvikudi inscription|Velvikkudi Grant]], Arikesari Maravarman won battles at Pali, Nelveli, and Uraiyur.{{sfn|N. Subrahmanian|1962|p=117}} In Nelveli, he is said to have conquered the vast forces of certain Vilveli.{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=51-52}} The victory at Nelveli is confirmed by the Larger Sinnamanur Plates.{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=51-52}} Except Uraiyur ([[Tiruchirappalli]]), the identity of these places is not certain.{{sfn|N. Subrahmanian|1962|p=117}} [[E. Hultzsch]] tentatively identified Nelveli with modern [[Tirunelveli]], but [[K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|K. A. N. Sastri]] disagreed with this identification.{{sfn|N. Subrahmanian|1962|p=117}}
===Larger Sinnamanur Plates.===
The Larger Sinnamanur Plates states that Arikesari "Parankusa" won battles at Nelveli and Sankaramangai.{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=52-53}}

The inscription further states that he ruined the [[Paravar|Paravars]] (people on the south-east coast of the Pandya country) who did not submit to him and destroyed the people of Kurunadu.{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=52-53}} According to one theory, "Kurunattar" refers to people of Kurunadu (an unidentified place); another possibility is that the term refers to petty chieftains.{{sfn|N. Subrahmanian|1962|p=117}}{{sfn|Sailendra Nath Sen|2013|pp=45-46}}

Arikesari is also said to have defeated an unspecified enemy at Sennilam, which may refer to a particular place or is a generic term for "Red (Bloody) Battlefield".{{sfn|N. Subrahmanian|1962|p=117}}{{sfn|Sailendra Nath Sen|2013|pp=45-46}} Finally, the inscription states that he defeated the Keralas (the [[Chera dynasty|Cheras]]) multiple times, and once imprisoned their king with his near relatives and warriors.{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=52-53}}
=== The Chalukya-Pallava- Pandya Conflict ===
Arikesari Maravarman seems to have joined with the [[Chalukya dynasty|Chalukyas]] in their struggle against the [[Pallava dynasty|Pallavas]].{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1958|p=147}} Early in the rule of Pallava king [[Parameswaravarman I|Parameswara I]], Chalukya [[Vikramaditya I|Vikramadtiya I]] advanced south and even displaced the Pallava from his capital Kanchi.{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1958|p=147}} The Chalukya then advanced further south to the [[Kaveri River]] and encamped at Uraiyur (where he probably effected a junction with Arikesari Maravarman).{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1958|p=147}} However, other historians note that the relationship between the Pandyas and the Chalukyas was not consistently allied. K. M. Venkata Ramaiah records that at the battle of Nelveli the Pandya forces defeated the Chalukyas under Vikramaditya I, forcing the Chalukyan army to retreat. The retreating forces later encountered the Pallavas at Peruvallanallur, where they were again defeated. This sequence suggests shifting hostilities rather than a stable Pandya–Chalukya alliance.<ref>{{cite book
|last=Ramamurthy
|first=V.
|title=History of Kongu: Pre-historic period to 1300 A.D
|publisher=International Society for the Investigation of Ancient Civilization
|year=1986
|page=182
|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=SP03AQAAIAAJ&dq=editions:LCCN86902068&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Nelveli
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book
|last=Venkata Ramaiah
|first=K. M.
|title=A Handbook of Tamil Nadu
|year=1996
|page=246
|annex=Annexure by S. Padmanabhan
|url=https://archive.org/details/acc.-no.-7381-a-handbook-of-tamil-nadu-1996pdf/page/n250/mode/1up
|access-date=2026-09-05
}}</ref>When the Chalukya king Vikramaditya I is said to have invaded the Pandya country, the Pandya ruler Arikesari Maravarman is reported to have defeated his forces at Nelveli. The battle is mentioned in Sekkizhar’s Periyapuranam and Sundarar’s Tiruthonda Thogai. Following this victory, Arikesari Maravarman was praised by the epithet “Nedumaran who won at Nelveli.” The Chinnamanur Large Copper Plates also refer to the battle, stating: “Parankusa, who encountered the Vilavas at Nelveli and Pallavas at Sangaramangai…”.<ref>{{cite book
|last=Rajamanickkanar
|first=Ma.
|title=சேக்கிழார் : ஆராய்ச்சி நூல்
|trans-title=Sekkizhar: A Research Work
|publisher=பூரம் பதிப்பகம்
|year=1996 |url=https://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0526.html
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book
|last=Rasamanikkanar
|first=Ma.
|title=Pallavar Varalaru
|page=135 |url=https://archive.org/details/PallavarVaralaru/page/134/mode/1up
}}</ref>

== Wars fought by Arikesari ==
The name Arikesari is a title bestowed upon him to proclaim his victories in the wars he fought. He invaded the [[Chola Nadu|Chola country]], besieged [[Uraiyur]], and defeated [[Manimudi Cholan]], who was ruling there, in battle. As a reward for his victory, Arikesari married [[Mangayarkkarasi]], the daughter of Manimudi Cholan.<ref name="tamilvu">{{cite web | url=http://www.tamilvu.org/courses/degree/a031/a0312/html/a0312442.htm | title=4.2.3 மாறவர்மன் அரிகேசரி (கி.பி. 640-670) | publisher=தமிழ் இணையப் பல்கலைக்கழகம் | accessdate=18 சூலை 2015}}</ref>

== Chalukya–Pandya War ==
=== Battle of Nelveli ===
When the Chalukya king [[Vikramaditya I]] invaded the Pandya country, Arikesari Maravarman is said to have defeated his forces at Nelveli.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rasamanikkanar |first=Ma. |title=Pallavar Varalaru |page=135 |url=https://archive.org/details/PallavarVaralaru/page/134/mode/1up |language=ta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramamurthy |first=V. |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=SP03AQAAIAAJ&dq=editions:LCCN86902068&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Nelveli |title=History of Kongu: Pre-historic period to 1300 A.D |date=1986 |publisher=International Society for the Investigation of Ancient Civilization |language=en}}</ref> The battle is mentioned in Sekkizhar's Periya Puranam and Sundarar's Tiruttondat Togai. As a result of this victory, Arikesari Maravarman was praised as "Nedumaran who won at Nelveli". The Chinnamanur Larger Plates mention: ‘வில்லவனை நெல்வேலியிலும் விரிபொழிற் சங்கரமங்கைக் கப்பல்லவனே உடம்புறங்கண்ட பராங்குசன்……’<ref>{{cite book
|last=Raman
|first=K. V.
|title=பாண்டியர் வரலாறு (History of the Pandyas)
|year=1977
|publisher=தமிழ்நாட்டுப் பாடநூல் நிறுவனம் (Tamil Nadu Text Book Society)
|page=63 |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZt3kuIy.TVA_BOK_0000870/page/n71/mode/1up
|access-date=2026-09-02
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book
|last=Venkata Ramaiah
|first=K. M.
|title=A Handbook of Tamil Nadu
|year=1996
|publisher=The International School of Dravidian Linguistics
|location=Thiruvananthapuram
|page=246 |url=https://archive.org/details/acc.-no.-7381-a-handbook-of-tamil-nadu-1996pdf/page/n251/mode/1up
|access-date=2026-09-02
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0526.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com|title=Cekkizar of M. Rajamanickanar (in tamil script, unicode format)|website=www.projectmadurai.org|access-date=2026-09-02}}</ref>

Historians Ma. Rasamanikkanar and K. V. Raman suggest that Kochadaiyan Ranadhiran may have assisted his father Nedumaran at the Battle of Nelveli or may have commanded the battle.
Rasamanikkanar considers that the term ‘Vilveli’ or ‘Villavan’, against whom the Pandyas fought at Nelveli, may refer to the Chalukyas.
Raman likewise associates Kochadaiyan's participation with Nedumaran's victory over the Chalukyas at the Battle of Nelveli.
Rasamanikkanar notes that Paramesvaravarman, who defeated Vikramaditya, bore the title ‘Ranajaya’, and that his son Rajasimha, who assisted him, also bore the same title.
Similarly, both scholars suggest that Kochadaiyan may have received the title ‘Ranadhiran’ because of his participation in the Battle of Nelveli.<ref>{{cite book
|last=Raman
|first=K. V.
|title=பாண்டியர் வரலாறு (History of the Pandyas)
|year=1977
|publisher=தமிழ்நாட்டுப் பாடநூல் நிறுவனம் (Tamil Nadu Text Book Society)
|page=63 |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZt3kuIy.TVA_BOK_0000870/page/n71/mode/1up
|access-date=2026-09-02
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Rasamanikkanar |first=Ma. |title=Pallavar Varalaru |page=135 |url=https://archive.org/details/PallavarVaralaru/page/134/mode/1up |language=ta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0526.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com|title=Cekkizar of M. Rajamanickanar (in tamil script, unicode format)|website=www.projectmadurai.org|access-date=2026-09-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=அப்பாதுரையார் |first=கா. |title=தென்னாட்டுப் போர்க்களங்கள் |page=130–136 |url=https://archive.org/details/tva-bok-0012519/page/129/mode/1up |access-date=2026-09-09}}</ref>

===Literary sources ===

Commentary to the ''Iraiyanar Ahapporul'' mentions a king named Arikesari, with titles Parakusan and Nedumaran among others.{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=54-55}} The commentary also mention several battles, at Pali, Sennilam and Nelveli and at Vizhinjam, some of which the scholars do not read in epigraphy till late 8th century.{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=54-55}}

Based on this, historian Venkayya assumed that the two rulers are identical. However, K. A. N. Sastri rejected this identification on the basis that "a rhetorical work like this took for its hero a saintly king of legendary fame, and attributed to him all the achievements of the Pandyan lines of kings that the author could think of his day". {{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=54-55}}{{sfn|N. Subrahmanian|1962|p=118}}

== Religion ==

Arikesari is known to have performed the ''[[Hiranyagarbha (donation)|Hiranyagarbha]]'' and ''[[Tulabhara]]'' rituals (a number of times).{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=51-52}}

=== Identification with Nedumaran ===
Arikesari Maravarman is sometimes identified with Pandya king [[Koon Pandiyan|Nedumaran or Kuna Pandya]], who converted from [[Jainism]] to [[Shaivism]] under the influence of the [[bhakti]] saint [[Sambandar]]. Kun Pandya was thence regarded as a saint himself.{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=53-54}}{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1976|p=424}} The legend is considered as an expression of the historical consciousness (signifying the loss of Jain political influence in the Tamil country).{{sfn|Paul Dundas|2002|p=127}}

According to this legend, Kun Pandya had married the [[Chola dynasty|Chola]] princess [[Mangayarkkarasiyar|Mangayarkkarasi]].{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1929|p=53-54}}

== References ==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{reflist|30em}}

=== Bibliography ===
* {{cite book|author=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|title=A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FjxuAAAAMAAJ|year=1976|publisher=Oxford University Press}}
* {{cite book|author=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|title=A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FjxuAAAAMAAJ|year=1958|location=Madras|publisher=Oxford University Press}}
* {{cite book |author=Paul Dundas |title=Jains |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5ialKAbIyV4C&pg=PA127 |year=2002 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-26606-2 }}
* {{cite book |author=N. Subrahmanian |title=History of Tamilnad (To AD 1336) |url=http://www.dli.ernet.in/handle/2015/462306 |year=1994 |publisher=Koodal |location=Madurai |oclc=43502446 |access-date=16 August 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20161123181101/http://www.dli.ernet.in/handle/2015/462306 |archive-date=23 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |author=Sailendra Nath Sen |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 }}
* {{cite book |author=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|title=The Pandyan Kingdom|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.5955|year=1929 |publisher= Luzac and Company|location=London}}
* {{cite book |editor=Noburu Karashima|title= A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations|year=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press|location=New Delhi}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Pandyan kings]]
[[Category:7th-century Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:Year of death unknown]]
[[Category:8th-century Indian monarchs]]