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{{Short description|Chola emperor from 1044–1052}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}} | {{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}} | ||
{{Infobox royalty | {{Infobox royalty | ||
| name = | | name = Rajadhiraja I | ||
| title = KoParakesarivarman, Maharajadhiraja, Yuddhamalla | | title = KoParakesarivarman, Maharajadhiraja, Yuddhamalla, Jayankonda chola | ||
| image = | | image = Coin_of_Rajadhiraja_Chola.png | ||
| alt = rajadhiraja territories | | alt = rajadhiraja territories | ||
| caption = | | caption = Coin of Rajadhiraja I | ||
| reign = 1044 | | succession = [[Chola Empire|Chola Emperor]] | ||
| predecessor = [[Rajendra Chola I]] | | reign = 1044 CE – 1052 CE<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 |pages=46–49}}</ref> | ||
| successor = [[Rajendra Chola II]] | | predecessor = [[Rajendra Chola I|Rajendra I]] | ||
| successor = [[Rajendra Chola II|Rajendra II]] | |||
| spouse = Trailokyamahadevi | | spouse = Trailokyamahadevi | ||
| spouse-type = Queen | | spouse-type = Queen | ||
| issue = | | issue = *Madhurandhagan | ||
| father = [[Rajendra Chola I]] | *Kandaradithan | ||
| birth_place = [[ | | father = [[Rajendra Chola I|Rajendra I]] | ||
| death_date = 1052 C.E.<ref name="sen2"/> | | mother = Mukkokilan Adigal | ||
| death_place = [[Koppal]] | | birth_name = Ilaval sundaran | ||
| religion = Hinduism | | birth_date = 994 C.E. | ||
| birth_place = [[Thanjavur]], [[Chola Empire]] (modern day [[Thanjavur]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]) | |||
| death_date = 1052 C.E. (aged 58)<ref name="sen2"/> | |||
| death_place = [[Koppam]], [[Western Chalukya Empire]] (modern day [[Koppal]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]]) | |||
| religion = [[Hinduism]] | |||
| succession2 = Co-Regent of the [[Chola Empire]] | |||
| reign2 = 1018 CE - 1044 CE | |||
| cor-type2 = Emperor | |||
| coronation2 = [[Rajendra Chola I|Rajendra I]] | |||
| predecessor2 = [[Rajendra Chola I|Rajendra I]] | |||
| successor2 = [[Rajendra Chola II|Rajendra II]] | |||
| dynasty = [[Chola]] | |||
| succession3 = [[Chola empire | Chola chieftain of Pandya]] | |||
| reign3 = 1018 CE - 1044 CE | |||
| cor-type3 = Governor | |||
| predecessor3 = [[Rajendra Chola I]] | |||
| successor3 = [[Rajendra Chola II]] | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Rajadhiraja I''' (994 CE - 1052 CE) was a [[Chola]] emperor and the successor of his father, [[Rajendra Chola I|Rajendra I]]. During his short reign, he helped his father conquer several territories and maintained the Chola authority over most of [[Sri Lanka]], [[Chalukya dynasty|Eastern Chalukya]], [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)|Kalinga]], among others and also the relations with overseas allies despite a series of revolts in the territory. | |||
Rajadhiraja Chola proved capable of maintaining the vast and expansive empire with territories even outside the shores of India. Records also show that the king was a skilled commander on the battlefield, leading his soldiers from the front lines. He earned the title ''Jayamkonda Chola'' (The Victorious Cholan) after numerous victories. Towards the end of his reign, he sacked the Western Chalukyan capital Kalyanapuram and assumed the title ''Kalyanapuramgonda Chola'' and performed a Virabhisheka (anointment of heroes) under the name ''Vijaya Rajendra Cholan'' (the victorious Rajendra Cholan).<ref>{{cite book|title=Gangaikondacholapuram|author=Irāmaccantiran̲ Nākacāmi|publisher=State Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu, 1970 - Gangaikondacholapuram (India) - 61 pages|page=8}}</ref> | |||
{{Chola history}} | {{Chola history}} | ||
== Long Apprenticeship == | |||
==Long Apprenticeship == | |||
Rajadhiraja Chola was made co-regent very early in his reign (1018).<ref name=sastri165/> From that day onward, father and son ruled together and shared the burdens of the empire. From the inscriptions of Rajadhiraja it is evident that Rajadhiraja ruled in full regal status in the lifetime of his father. Rajadhiraja was at the forefront of most of his father's military campaigns. | Rajadhiraja Chola was made co-regent very early in his reign (1018).<ref name=sastri165/> From that day onward, father and son ruled together and shared the burdens of the empire. From the inscriptions of Rajadhiraja it is evident that Rajadhiraja ruled in full regal status in the lifetime of his father. Rajadhiraja was at the forefront of most of his father's military campaigns. | ||
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===Revolts in Lanka=== | ===Revolts in Lanka=== | ||
{{Main|Chola occupation of Sri Lanka (993–1077)}} | {{Main|Chola occupation of Sri Lanka (993–1077)}} | ||
[[File:Rajendra map new.svg|thumb|Map of the [[Chola dynasty|Chola Empire]] under Rajadhiraja I (c. 1045 C.E.)]] | |||
The Buddhist text ''[[Mahavamsa]]'' shows that the years following the defeat and deportation of the [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] king [[Mahinda V]] by Rajendra in 1017 CE were filled with revolt and anarchy due uprisings by the Sinhalese subjects against the reign of the Chola invaders. Mahinda was captured and transported to the Chola country as prisoner where he died 12 years later. Mahinda’s son Kassapa had formed the resistance against the Chola occupiers and the revolts were centred on Kassapa.<ref name=sastri165>See Sastri, KAN, ''A History of South India'', p165</ref> | The Buddhist text ''[[Mahavamsa]]'' shows that the years following the defeat and deportation of the [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] king [[Mahinda V]] by Rajendra in 1017 CE were filled with revolt and anarchy due uprisings by the Sinhalese subjects against the reign of the Chola invaders. Mahinda was captured and transported to the Chola country as prisoner where he died 12 years later. Mahinda’s son Kassapa had formed the resistance against the Chola occupiers and the revolts were centred on Kassapa.<ref name=sastri165>See Sastri, KAN, ''A History of South India'', p165</ref> | ||
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The Chola provinces in Lanka were a separate administrative division of the empire. The deep southern half was however a Sinhalese stronghold in perpetual conflict with the Cholas. Prince Kitti, son of Vikramabahu became Vijayabahu in 1058 CE and took over the leadership of the resistance. The victorious generals of Cholas executed the captured lankan generals along with their family members, mainly in return for their disrupting traders activities from South India in the Lankan mainland by looting and killing them for their riches.<ref>See Mendis, GC, p53</ref> | The Chola provinces in Lanka were a separate administrative division of the empire. The deep southern half was however a Sinhalese stronghold in perpetual conflict with the Cholas. Prince Kitti, son of Vikramabahu became Vijayabahu in 1058 CE and took over the leadership of the resistance. The victorious generals of Cholas executed the captured lankan generals along with their family members, mainly in return for their disrupting traders activities from South India in the Lankan mainland by looting and killing them for their riches.<ref>See Mendis, GC, p53</ref> | ||
More details included by [[Tamil language|Rithwik Rakshan S (Youth Historian)]] | |||
===Continuing Chalukya Wars=== | ===Continuing Chalukya Wars=== | ||
Rajadhiraja, eager to subdue the rising power of the [[Western Chalukyas]] and to restore Chola influence with the [[Eastern Chalukyas]] in [[Vengi]], personally led an expedition into the Telugu country in 1046 CE.<ref name="Indian History by Reddy p.56">Indian History | Rajadhiraja, eager to subdue the rising power of the [[Western Chalukyas]] and to restore Chola influence with the [[Eastern Chalukyas]] in [[Vengi]], personally led an expedition into the Telugu country in 1046 CE.<ref name="Indian History by Reddy p.56">Indian History by Reddy p.56</ref> He defeated the Western Chalukya forces in a battle at Dannada on the river [[Krishna River|Krishna]] and set fire to their fort.<ref name=sastri168>See Sastri, KAN, ''A History of South India'', p168</ref> This expedition was followed by number of raids into the Chalukya country by the Chola army in which they captured several generals and feudatories of Chalukya, demolished the Chalukya palace at Kampali. The victorious Chola forces crossed the Krishna river and erected a victory pillar at a place called Yetagiri.<ref name="Indian History by Reddy p.56"/><ref name=sastri168/> After more fighting, [[Basavakalyan|Kalyani]], the capital of Chalukya, which is identified as Kalyan or Basavakalyan in Bidar was sacked.<ref name="Indian History by Reddy p.56"/> Cholas also placed a victory pillar in [[Kolhapur]] or Kollapuram in [[Maharashtra]].The victorious Rajadhiraja entered the capital of the vanquished Chalukyas and his coronation was performed at 'Kalyanapura', subsequent to which he assumed the title ''Vijayarajendra''.<ref name=sastri168/><ref>Inscriptions in the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram records that a Dwarapala sculpture from Kalyanapura was brought to the temple by Rajadhiraja after his capture of the capital of the Chalukyas. See P.V. Jagadisa Ayyar, p 353</ref><ref>See Richard Davis, p 51</ref> [[Someshvara I]] was banished to places like Rodda, Kadambalige and Kogali 1000 territories in the Nolambavadi areas[**]. | ||
In 1050 CE Chalukya king Someshvara reneged on his payment of tribute to his Chola overlords and usurped the Chalukya throne from the Chola viceroy in Kalyani (modern Basavakalyan).<ref name=sastri168/> He also sent an expedition to Vengi in order to re-inforce Western Chalukyan hegemony over the Eastern Chalukyas, whom they always regarded as their dominions. It is also speculated that Someshvara I 'may' have captured [[Kanchi]] and Kalinga. However, according to Nilakanta Sastri and Majumdar, these are baseless claims because Someshvara I had as his feudatories the Uchangi Pandyas and the [[Nolamba]] Pallavas who had provided shelter to his predecessors Jayasimha-II and Satyashraya. The Nolamba Pallavas pompously held the birudas 'Lord of Kanchi', which may lead one to believe that the feudatories of the Chalukyas were ruling from Kanchi or occupying Kanchipuram, both of which presumptions are false. Also, the Cholas were controlling Kalinga through the Vengi Kings like Vimaladitya and Raja Raja Narendra who were related to the Chola Kings. While Someshvara-I did destabilise Vengi by temporarily displacing Rajaraja Narendra, this act also initially disturbed Chola connections with Kalinga. This however, was short-lived for immediately Rajadhiraja-I set off for war against Someshvara-I and that too not at Vengi or Kalinga but by the Chalukya capital itself. But that was after thoroughly preparing himself for war before which he undertook in 1052, the task of anointing his younger brother [[Rajendra Chola II]] as co-regent in preference to his own sons. The latter seems to have ascended the throne in 12th for he has the title Rajakesari from then on. When these tasks were completed, in 1054 Rajadhiraja invaded the Chalukyan territory[**]. | In 1050 CE Chalukya king Someshvara reneged on his payment of tribute to his Chola overlords and usurped the Chalukya throne from the Chola viceroy in Kalyani (modern Basavakalyan).<ref name=sastri168/> He also sent an expedition to Vengi in order to re-inforce Western Chalukyan hegemony over the Eastern Chalukyas, whom they always regarded as their dominions. It is also speculated that Someshvara I 'may' have captured [[Kanchi]] and Kalinga. However, according to Nilakanta Sastri and Majumdar, these are baseless claims because Someshvara I had as his feudatories the Uchangi Pandyas and the [[Nolamba]] Pallavas who had provided shelter to his predecessors Jayasimha-II and Satyashraya. The Nolamba Pallavas pompously held the birudas 'Lord of Kanchi', which may lead one to believe that the feudatories of the Chalukyas were ruling from Kanchi or occupying Kanchipuram, both of which presumptions are false. Also, the Cholas were controlling Kalinga through the Vengi Kings like Vimaladitya and Raja Raja Narendra who were related to the Chola Kings. While Someshvara-I did destabilise Vengi by temporarily displacing Rajaraja Narendra, this act also initially disturbed Chola connections with Kalinga. This however, was short-lived for immediately Rajadhiraja-I set off for war against Someshvara-I and that too not at Vengi or Kalinga but by the Chalukya capital itself. But that was after thoroughly preparing himself for war before which he undertook in 1052, the task of anointing his younger brother [[Rajendra Chola II]] as co-regent in preference to his own sons. The latter seems to have ascended the throne in 12th for he has the title Rajakesari from then on. When these tasks were completed, in 1054 Rajadhiraja invaded the Chalukyan territory[**]. | ||
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Rajadhiraja invaded Rattamandalam (southern [[Karnataka]]) and immediately seized many of the southern parts of Chalukyan territory like Uchangi, Nulambavadi, Kadambalige, Kogali etc. These developments shook Someshvara-I, who had given himself the title of Trailokyamalla after installing his puppet in Vengi and he had to rush back to save his own kingdom and he had no option but to march against the marauding Chola armies. The two armies met at a place called Koppam on the banks of the Krishna River[**]. | Rajadhiraja invaded Rattamandalam (southern [[Karnataka]]) and immediately seized many of the southern parts of Chalukyan territory like Uchangi, Nulambavadi, Kadambalige, Kogali etc. These developments shook Someshvara-I, who had given himself the title of Trailokyamalla after installing his puppet in Vengi and he had to rush back to save his own kingdom and he had no option but to march against the marauding Chola armies. The two armies met at a place called Koppam on the banks of the Krishna River[**]. | ||
===Inscriptions=== | === Inscriptions === | ||
[[File:Vedhagireeswarar temple with the tank.jpg|left|thumb|[[Vedagiriswarar Temple]] in [[Chengalpattu]]]] | |||
Rajadhiraja's inscriptions begin with the introduction ''tingaler-taru''.<ref>{{cite book|title=South Indian Shrines: Illustrated|author=P. V. Jagadisa Ayyar|publisher=Asian Educational Services, 1982 - Hindu shrines - 638 pages|page=53}}</ref> The following is an inscription from the Svetaranyesvara temple in Tiruvenkadu, a few miles from Vaitheeswaran temple. It mentions the king's father, | [[File:Bhoganandishwara Temple1.jpg|left|thumb|[[Bhoganandishwara Temple]] in [[Chikballapur District|Chikballapur]]]] | ||
Rajadhiraja's inscriptions begin with the introduction ''tingaler-taru''.<ref>{{cite book|title=South Indian Shrines: Illustrated|author=P. V. Jagadisa Ayyar|publisher=Asian Educational Services, 1982 - Hindu shrines - 638 pages|page=53}}</ref> The following is an inscription from the Svetaranyesvara temple in Tiruvenkadu, a few miles from Vaitheeswaran temple. It mentions the king's father, i.e., emperor [[Rajendra Chola I|Rajendra I]] | |||
{{Cquote|''A record in the 30th year of the reign of Rajakesari Varma alias Udaiyar Rajadhiraja Deva (I)'' | {{Cquote|''A record in the 30th year of the reign of Rajakesari Varma alias Udaiyar Rajadhiraja Deva (I)'' | ||
''Records that one Ambalan Seyyavayar set up the image of Picchadevar (Bhikshatana), gave lands for its requirements, presented gold and silver ornaments, opened a charity house and provided for its maintenance. The same person is said to have obtained lands for the temple from the king's father (Rajendra | ''Records that one Ambalan Seyyavayar set up the image of Picchadevar (Bhikshatana), gave lands for its requirements, presented gold and silver ornaments, opened a charity house and provided for its maintenance. The same person is said to have obtained lands for the temple from the king's father (Rajendra I), who was pleased to take Purvadesam, [[Ganga]] and [[Kadaram]].<ref>{{cite book|title=A Topographical List of Inscriptions in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala States: Thanjavur District|author=T. V. Mahalingam|publisher=Indian Council of Historical Research, 1992|page=565}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Transactions, Volumes 1-5|author=Archaeological Society of South India|year=1955|page=115}}</ref>'' | ||
}} | }} | ||
There is another inscription of the king his 29th regnal year from the Manimangalam village about donation of land which speaks on a detailed way his military achievements. Inscription goes on to describe the following: | There is another inscription of the king his 29th regnal year from the Manimangalam village about donation of land which speaks on a detailed way his military achievements. Inscription goes on to describe the following: | ||
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c. His exploits at Ceylon where he attacked its four kings (Vikramabahu, Veera Salamegan, Vikrama Pandya and Srivallabha madanaraja) . Out of four, vira salamegan had initially ruled over Kannauj. Rajadhiraja while sacking Ceylon had seized his elder sister and his wife and also went on to cut the nose of his mother. | c. His exploits at Ceylon where he attacked its four kings (Vikramabahu, Veera Salamegan, Vikrama Pandya and Srivallabha madanaraja) . Out of four, vira salamegan had initially ruled over Kannauj. Rajadhiraja while sacking Ceylon had seized his elder sister and his wife and also went on to cut the nose of his mother. | ||
d. On his second raid to chalukyan kingdom, he went on to burn Kampili and he died on the battle field at Kopam. There is one inscription by Western Chalukya which was inscribed in Annigere which talks of a wicked chozha who had abandoned his religious practices and burned Jaina temples and ultimately yielded his head to someswara.<ref name="Rajadhiraja Inscription">{{cite web |url=https://wanderingfakhir.in/f/rajadhiraja-inscription-from-manimangalam |publisher=Wandering Fakhir}}</ref> | d. On his second raid to chalukyan kingdom, he went on to burn Kampili and he died on the battle field at Kopam. There is one inscription by Western Chalukya which was inscribed in Annigere which talks of a wicked chozha who had abandoned his religious practices and burned Jaina temples and ultimately yielded his head to someswara.<ref name="Rajadhiraja Inscription">{{cite web |url=https://wanderingfakhir.in/f/rajadhiraja-inscription-from-manimangalam |publisher=Wandering Fakhir|title=Rajadhiraja inscription from Manimangalam}}</ref> | ||
Another inscription of the king from a temple in [[Chingleput]] district is as follows, | Another inscription of the king from a temple in [[Chingleput|Chengalpattu]] district is as follows, | ||
{{Cquote|''On the west and south bases shrine in Adhipursivara temple.'' | {{Cquote|''On the west and south bases shrine in Adhipursivara temple.'' | ||
''A record of the Chola king Rajakesari Varma | ''A record of the Chola king Rajakesari Varma alias Udaiyar Rajadhiraja Deva (I). Records in his thirty first year, a sale of land by the assembly of the brahmadeya villages of Sundarasola-chatuvedimangalam and Vanavanmahadevi-chaturvedimangalm. It was purchased by Nagalavvaichchani alias Ariyammai, wife of Prabhakara Bhatta, a resident of Megalapuram in the Arya-desa and a devotee of the temple of Tiruvorriyurudaiaya Mahadeva. The purchased land was given to the matha called Rajendrasolan which was built by that lady. Records also other sales of land to the same lady and for the same purpose, by residents of Ennoor in Navalur-nadu, which was a sub-division of Pularkottam and by the merchants (nagarattaar) of Tiruvorriyur in the years thirty-one and twenty-seven of the same reign.<ref>{{cite book|title=A Topographical List of Inscriptions of the Madras Presidency, Volume I, with Notes and References|author=V. Rangacharya|publisher=Asian Educational Services, New Delhi|year=1985|page=434}}</ref> | ||
}} | }} | ||
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{{Cquote|''In the 32nd year of the reign of Ko Rajakesari Varma alias Sri Rajadhiraja Deva of bright intellect, who...was born to render conspicuous the ancient race of the hot-rayed god (i.e., the Solar Race); who caused his umbrella, planted under the shadow of his father's white umbrella, to cast its shade over the entire kingdom of his father, who conquered with his army Ganga of the prosperous north, Lanka of the south, Makotai of the west and Kadaram of the east; who swayed his scepter over every region; who cut-off on the battle-field the beautiful head which was adorned with large jewels and was never without the golden crown, of Manabharanan, the renowned king of the south (Pandya); who sent the king of Venad to heaven [or back to the Chera country]; who killed the king of Kalingam on the battle-field; who caused to be destroyed the Kandalur Salai on the sea coast; and who acquired great fame under the praiseworthy name of 'Jayangonda Cholan'<br> | {{Cquote|''In the 32nd year of the reign of Ko Rajakesari Varma alias Sri Rajadhiraja Deva of bright intellect, who...was born to render conspicuous the ancient race of the hot-rayed god (i.e., the Solar Race); who caused his umbrella, planted under the shadow of his father's white umbrella, to cast its shade over the entire kingdom of his father, who conquered with his army Ganga of the prosperous north, Lanka of the south, Makotai of the west and Kadaram of the east; who swayed his scepter over every region; who cut-off on the battle-field the beautiful head which was adorned with large jewels and was never without the golden crown, of Manabharanan, the renowned king of the south (Pandya); who sent the king of Venad to heaven [or back to the Chera country]; who killed the king of Kalingam on the battle-field; who caused to be destroyed the Kandalur Salai on the sea coast; and who acquired great fame under the praiseworthy name of 'Jayangonda Cholan'<br> | ||
''The officer Vira Vichchadira (Vidyadhara) Muvendavelar...gave for the god Maha Nandiswara Udaya Mahadeva, on the Nandi hill in Kalavara Ndu, a plate of gold weighing by the standard of the city, 2.5 kalanju and 1 manjadi, as an ornament to be worn by the god for as long as the sun and the moon exist.''<ref name="Epigraphia Carnatica, Volume 10, Part 1, page 202">''Epigraphia Carnatica,'' Volume 10, Part 1, page 202</ref>}} | ''The officer Vira Vichchadira (Vidyadhara) Muvendavelar...gave for the god Maha Nandiswara Udaya Mahadeva, on the Nandi hill in Kalavara Ndu, a plate of gold weighing by the standard of the city, 2.5 kalanju and 1 manjadi, as an ornament to be worn by the god for as long as the sun and the moon exist.''<ref name="Epigraphia Carnatica, Volume 10, Part 1, page 202">''Epigraphia Carnatica,'' Volume 10, Part 1, page 202</ref> | ||
}} | |||
Here is the inscription from [[Kolar]] in Karnataka: | Here is the inscription from [[Kolar]] in Karnataka: | ||
{{Cquote|''In the 35th year...Ko Parakesari Varma alias Vijaya Rajendra Deva, who having taken the head of Vira Pandya, the [Kandalur] Salai of the Chera, Lanka and Rattapadi [the Chalukya] Seven and Half Lakh (country), and set up a pillar of victory at Kalliyanapuram, took his seat on the throne of heroes and got himself anointed as 'Vijaya Rajendra'...in the Kuvalala Nadu of Vijaya Rajendra Mandalam.''<ref name="Epigraphia Carnatica, Volume 10, Part 1, page 42">''Epigraphia Carnatica,'' Volume 10, Part 1, page 42</ref>}} | {{Cquote|''In the 35th year...Ko Parakesari Varma alias Vijaya Rajendra Deva, who having taken the head of Vira Pandya, the [Kandalur] Salai of the Chera, Lanka and Rattapadi [the Chalukya] Seven and Half Lakh (country), and set up a pillar of victory at Kalliyanapuram, took his seat on the throne of heroes and got himself anointed as 'Vijaya Rajendra'...in the Kuvalala Nadu of Vijaya Rajendra Mandalam.''<ref name="Epigraphia Carnatica, Volume 10, Part 1, page 42">''Epigraphia Carnatica,'' Volume 10, Part 1, page 42</ref> | ||
}} | |||
Sometime after he ascended the throne, he placed [[Rajendra Chola II]] as a co-regent. [[Rajendra Chola II]] would reign alongside Rajadhiraja until the latter's death after which he ascended the throne. | Sometime after he ascended the throne, he placed [[Rajendra Chola II]] as a co-regent. [[Rajendra Chola II]] would reign alongside Rajadhiraja until the latter's death after which he ascended the throne. | ||
==Death on the Battlefield== | ==Death on the Battlefield== | ||
[[File:KOPPAL FORT6.JPG|left|thumb|[[Koppal|Koppam]] the site of Rajadhiraja's death. ]]He was one of the greatest and bravest warriors in the Chola dynasty and sadly perished alone in a northern battlefield ([[Battle of Koppam]]). From the manner of his death, Rajadhiraja came to be known as Yanai-mel-thunjina Devar (the king who died on the back of an elephant). From the time he was chosen heir-apparent by his father to the day when he laid down his life on the field of battle, Rajadhiraja led the life of a warrior king and led many campaigns in person. Rajadhiraja was first and foremost a soldier and possibly his great military talent formed the reason for his being preferred for succession against an elder brother of his. | |||
He was one of the greatest and bravest warriors in the Chola dynasty and sadly perished alone in a northern battlefield ([[Battle of Koppam]]). From the manner of his death, Rajadhiraja came to be known as Yanai-mel-thunjina Devar (the king who died on the back of an elephant). From the time he was chosen heir-apparent by his father to the day when he laid down his life on the field of battle, Rajadhiraja led the life of a warrior king and led many campaigns in person. Rajadhiraja was first and foremost a soldier and possibly his great military talent formed the reason for his being preferred for succession against an elder brother of his. | |||
==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2022}} | |||
Rajadhiraja employed his father’s brother, his own brothers, elder and younger, in important offices of state and constituted them into subordinate rulers of regions of his empire. We know of the title (Trilokyam Udaiyar) rather than the actual name of a queen. His queens do not figure prominently in his records. Apart from ''Vijaya Rajendra'', he took the titles of ''Virarajendra Varman'', ''Ahavamally Kulantaka'' and ''Kalyanapurangondachola''. His children seem to have been overlooked in the succession to the Chola throne for a brief time. | Rajadhiraja employed his father’s brother, his own brothers, elder and younger, in important offices of state and constituted them into subordinate rulers of regions of his empire. We know of the title (Trilokyam Udaiyar) rather than the actual name of a queen. His queens do not figure prominently in his records. Apart from ''Vijaya Rajendra'', he took the titles of ''Virarajendra Varman'', ''Ahavamally Kulantaka'' and ''Kalyanapurangondachola''. His children seem to have been overlooked in the succession to the Chola throne for a brief time.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}} | ||
==Officials== | ==Officials== | ||
Vira-Vichchadira(Vidyadhara)-Muvendavelan was a prominent military officer of this king. He has made several generous donations to the various temples in Kalavara nadu, a sub-division of Nigarili-Chola-mandalam (part of present-day [[Karnataka]]) where he was deployed.<ref name="Epigraphia Carnatica, Volume 10, Part 1, page 202"/> Vettan Panachanadi-Vānan alias Madurāntaka-tTamil-pperaiyan of Tandāngurai in Vilānādu belonging to the Pandikulasani valanadu of Sola-mandalam was the overseer of the dandanayakas.<ref name="Epigraphia Carnatica, Volume 10, Part 1, page 35">''Epigraphia Carnatica, Volume 10, Part 1, page 35''</ref> Santi Kuttan Tiruvalan Tirumud Kunran alias Vijaya Rajendra Acharyan, an actor was in charge of the troupe that were responsible for | Vira-Vichchadira(Vidyadhara)-Muvendavelan was a prominent military officer of this king. He has made several generous donations to the various temples in Kalavara nadu, a sub-division of Nigarili-Chola-mandalam (part of present-day [[Karnataka]]) where he was deployed.<ref name="Epigraphia Carnatica, Volume 10, Part 1, page 202"/> Vettan Panachanadi-Vānan alias Madurāntaka-tTamil-pperaiyan of Tandāngurai in Vilānādu belonging to the Pandikulasani valanadu of Sola-mandalam was the overseer of the dandanayakas.<ref name="Epigraphia Carnatica, Volume 10, Part 1, page 35">''Epigraphia Carnatica, Volume 10, Part 1, page 35''</ref> Santi Kuttan Tiruvalan Tirumud Kunran alias Vijaya Rajendra Acharyan, an actor was in charge of the troupe that were responsible for enacting the Rajarajeswara Natakam (a musical), in the [[Brihadeeswarar Temple]], [[Thanjavur]].<ref name="Bharatanatyam, the Tamil heritage, page 42">''Bharatanatyam, the Tamil heritage, page 42''</ref><ref name="Middle Chola temples: Rajaraja I to Kulottunga I (A.D. 985-1070), page 266">''Middle Chola temples: Rajaraja I to Kulottunga I (A.D. 985–1070), page 266''</ref> Velala Madurantakam alias Dandanayakan Rajadhiraja Ilangovelan was another officer from Nadar, a village of Tiraimur-nadu which was a sub-division of Uyyakondan-valanadu in Sola-mandalam. He has donated 90 sheep to a temple in [[Tiruvottiyur|Tiruvorriyur]] during the 3rd year of the reign of [[Rajendra Chola II]] when the latter was still a co-regent of the king.<ref name="South Indian shrines: illustrated, page 53">''South Indian shrines: illustrated, page 53''</ref> | ||
== Religion == | == Religion == | ||
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{{S-start}} | {{S-start}} | ||
{{Succession box|title=[[Chola]]|before=[[Rajendra Chola I]]|after=[[Rajendra Chola II]] |years= | {{Succession box|title=[[Chola]]|before=[[Rajendra Chola I]]|after=[[Rajendra Chola II]] |years=1018–1052 CE}} | ||
{{s-end}} | {{s-end}} | ||
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chola, Rajadhiraja}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Chola, Rajadhiraja}} | ||
[[Category:Chola kings]] | [[Category:Chola kings]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:1052 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:11th-century Indian monarchs]] | [[Category:11th-century Indian monarchs]] | ||
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]] | [[Category:Hindu monarchs]] | ||
[[Category:Indian military leaders]] | [[Category:Indian military leaders]] | ||