| Kochchadaiyan Ranadhira | |
|---|---|
| Tenna - Vanavan , Sembiyan , Cholan, Madura - Karunatakan , Kongar koman (Lord of Kongu country ) , King of Kings[1][2] | |
| Reign | r. c. 700 – 730 AD[3] |
| Coronation | c. 700 AD |
| Predecessor | Arikesari Maravarman Parankusan |
| Successor | Maravarman Rajasimha I |
| Wife | |
| Dynasty | Pandya |
| Father | Arikesari Maravarman |
| Pandya dynasty | ||
| Early Pandya polity | ||
| Koon Pandiyan | ||
| Pudappandiyan | ||
| Mudukudumi Paruvaludhi | ||
| Nedunjeliyan I | ||
| Nedunjeliyan II | ||
| Nan Maran | ||
| Nedunjeliyan III | ||
| Maran Valudi | ||
| Kadalan Valuthi | ||
| Musiri Mutriya Cheliyan | ||
| Ukkirap Peruvaludi | ||
| Early Medieval Pandyas | ||
| Kadungon (c. 590–620)/(c. 560–590) | ||
| Maravarman Avanichulamani (c. 620–645)/(c. 590–620) | ||
| Cheliyan Chendan (c. 654–670)/(c. 620–650) | ||
| Arikesari Maravarman (Parankusan) (c. 670–700)/(c. 650–700) |
||
| Ko Chadaiyan Ranadhira (c. 700–730) | ||
| Maravarman Rajasimha I (c. 730–765)/(c. 730–768) | ||
| Jatila Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan/ Varaguna I (c. 756–815)/(c. 768–815) |
||
| Srimara Srivallabha (c. 815–862) | ||
| Varaguna II (c. 862–880)/(c. 862–885) | ||
| Parantaka Viranarayana (c. 880–900)/(c. 860–905) | ||
| Maravarman Rajasimha II (c. 900–920)/(c. 905–920) | ||
Kochchadaiyan, known as Ranadhira, (r. c. 700 – 730 AD) was a Pandya king of early medieval south India. He was the son and successor of Arikesari Maravarman (r. c. 640 – 690 CE).[6][7] The name of the king is famously omitted in the Tamil portion of the Larger Sinnamanur Plates.[8]
Reign[edit | edit source]
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, Kongas, Karnatas and Ay chieftains in the battles.[9][10] The Velvikkudi grant also mentions he victories at battles of Sengodi and Pudankodu.[11][12]
Titles[edit | edit source]
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), and Kongar Koamaan (Lord of Kongas) for defeating the Kongu country. During his reign, the dominance of the Pandya kingdom increased further.[9][13]
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.[13][9]
Military achievements[edit | edit source]
Expansion into Kongu country[edit | edit source]
Chadaiyan extended the Pandya influence into the Kongu country.[7] 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.[9][13]
Suppressing a revolt in the Ay country[edit | edit source]
Ranadhira also suppressed a revolt in the 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.[7][13][14]
Asserting dominance over Cheras and Cholas[edit | edit source]
Chadaiyan is given the titles "Vanavan", "Chembiyan" and "Chola" which seem to claim supremacy over the Chera and Chola[8][13]
Victory over the chalukyas[edit | edit source]
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 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 Chalukyas was defeated.The Velvikudi copper plates mention Ranadhira victory over the Karnatas(i.e.,Chalukyas) And bore the title of (Madurakarunatakan).[15][9][16][17] 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’.[18][19][20] 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.[21] The term "three kings" apparently refers to the Chola, Chera, and Pandya rulers who had allied with the Pallavas.[22][23][18]
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.[24][25][26][27]
Victory over Maharathas[edit | edit source]
"at the great city called 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."[28]
He is also said to have attacked and defeated the "Maharathas" in the city of Mangalapuram (modern Mangalore).[8][13][29][30] 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.[31]
Pandya - Pallava relationship[edit | edit source]
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.[32][33]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ H. Krishna Sastri, ed. (1924). Epigraphia Indica. Vol. 17. Archaeological Survey of India. p. 332.
- ↑ H. Krishna Sastri, ed. (1923–1924). Epigraphia Indica, Vol. 17. Archaeological Survey of India. p. 341.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Jouveau-Dubreuil, G. (1917). The Pallavas. Asian Educational Services. p. 68.
- ↑ Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1929). The Pandyan Kingdom: From the Earliest to the Sixteenth Century. London: Luzac. p. 57.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 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.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1929) The Pandyan Kingdom. London, Luzac and Company. 55-56.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1929). The Pandyan kingdom : from the earliest to the sixteenth century. Luzac,London.
- ↑ H. Krishna Sastri, ed. (1923). Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XVII (1923–24) (PDF). Calcutta: Archaeological Survey of India. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ Devakunjari, D. (1957). Madurai Through The Ages: From The Earliest Times To 1801 A.d.
- ↑ Epigraphia Indica. Manager of Publications. 1983.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Epigraphia Indica, Volume 17 (PDF). Archaeological Survey of India (hosted in Jain Foundation library). Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ↑ Kumar, Raj (2008). Encyclopaedia of Untouchables Ancient, Medieval and Modern. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7835-664-8.
- ↑ H. Krishna Sastri, ed. (1923). Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XVII (1923–24) (PDF). Calcutta: Archaeological Survey of India. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ Subramaniam, N. (1962). History Of Tamilnad.
- ↑ Allan, John; Haig, Sir Wolseley; Dodwell, Henry (1964). The Cambridge Shorter History of India. S. Chand.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Historical Inscriptions Of Southern INida. BRAOU, Digital Library Of India. Kitabistam,Allahabad.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ↑ G Jouveau Dubreuil (1917). The Pallavas. Universal Digital Library.
- ↑ Subramaniam, N. (1962). History Of Tamilnad.
- ↑ Durga Prasad Dikshit 1980, p. 121.
- ↑ Durga Prasad Dikshit 1980, p. 120.
- ↑ Chakravarti, N. p (1933). Epigraphia Indica Vol.22.
- ↑ Raman, K. V. (1977). பாண்டியர் வரலாறு (History of the Pandyas). தமிழ்நாட்டுப் பாடநூல் நிறுவனம் (Tamil Nadu Text Book Society). p. 63. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
- ↑ Rasamanikkanar, Ma. Pallavar Varalaru (in தமிழ்). p. 135.
- ↑ "Cekkizar of M. Rajamanickanar (in tamil script, unicode format)". www.projectmadurai.org. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
- ↑ அப்பாதுரையார், கா. தென்னாட்டுப் போர்க்களங்கள். p. 130–136. Retrieved 9 September 2026.
- ↑ A History of South Kanara: From the Earliest Times to the Fall of Vijayanagara. Dharwar: Department of Extension Service & Publications, Karnatak University. 1970. p. 56.
- ↑ Ramesh, K. V. (31 December 1965). A History of South Kanara from Thevearliest Times to the Fall of Vijayanagara. Karnatak University.
- ↑ Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. ISBN 978-81-224-1198-0.
- ↑ Gururaja Bhatt, P. (1975). Studies in Tuluva History and Culture (PDF). p. 28.
- ↑ Jouveau-Dubreuil, G. (1917). The Pallavas. Asian Educational Services. p. 68.
- ↑ Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1929). The Pandyan Kingdom: From the Earliest to the Sixteenth Century. London: Luzac. p. 57.
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