"Fall" of Patri-lineal dynasty &"Rise" of Matri-lineal dynasty
of Medieval Chola Empire
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The greatness of themedieval Chola Empire built up by Rajaraja Chola - 1, Rajendra Chola - 1,Rajathiraja Chola, Rajendra Chola - 2, Rajamahendra Chola, and VirarajendraChola, was upheld by them for three generations up to the end of thePatri-lineal king Virarajendra. While Rajaraja - 1 ruled from `Thanjavur' allhis successors ruled from `Gangaikonda Cholapuram'.
During this space of time:
Rajaraja Chola- 1 (A.D.985-1014) gave his daughter"Kundavai" in marriage to the EasternChalukiya king "Vimaladityan (A.D.1011-18)".Theirson was "Rajaraja Narendra".
Rajendra Chola- 1 (A.D.1012-1044) gave hisdaughter "Amanga" in marriage to the Eastern Chalukya/Cholaking "Rajaraja Narendra (A.D.1022-61)".Theirson was "Rajendra Vishnuvardhanan".
Rajendra Chola- 2 (A.D.1051-63) gave his daughter "Mathuranthahi" in marriage to the Eastern Chalukya/Chola king "Rajendra Vishnuvardhanan (A.D.1061-1070)".Their son was "Vikrama Cholan".
The Matri-lineal Chalukya/Chola kings namely "Rajaraja Narendra"and "Rajendra Vishnuvardhanan", ruled the Vengicountry consecutively, after thelast Eastern Chalukya king "Vimaladityan". The Vengi country was aregion in East India betweenTungabadra and Godavari rivers adjoining the sea.
"VirarajendraChola (A.D.1063-1070)" of thePatri-lineal dynasty ascended the Chola throne in A.D.1063. His authorityextended in the north upto the Tungabadra river. He appointed his son "Athirajendra Chola" (A.D.1067-70) as his heir apparent in the year A.D.1067.
During this period the Western Chalukya Country in the north beyond theTungabadra river was ruled by the king "Someswara II" (1068-1071). His younger brother "Vikramaditya"the Western Chalukya prince, with intention to invade the Chola countrymoved southwards beyond the Tungabadra river (most `possibly' around A.D.1069).
"Virarajendra" possibly veryweary over constant wars with many countries from the time he ascended throne,and also not prepared to loose his vast territory up to Tungabadra river, cameinto terms with the Chalukya prince "Vikramaditya".
In accordance with theirterms, the "Vikramaditya" agreed to withdraw northwards beyond Tungabadrariver, thus enabling the Chola king "Virarajendra" to retain the territorialintegrity of his empire.
This bond of friendshipresulted in they exchanging presents, and "VirarajendraChola" giving his daughter(name not known) in marriage to the Western Chalukya prince "Vikramaditya- VI".
Not long after this event inA.D.1070 "Virarajendra Chola" met his misfortune of severe ill health,`possibly' with imminent death at any time. During this `same time' his son"Athirajendra" who was his heir apparent too fell very ill `possibly'with an incurable sickness, and had no male heirs to succeed him.
"Virajendra Chola" underthese circumstances with much foresight into the future of the Chola empire, inthe year A.D.1070 appointed his own sister "Amanga"sson "Rajendra Vishnuvardhanan", as the heir apparent to the Chola empireafter "Athirajendra".
"Virarajendra Chola" met hisdeath soon after that year, and there rose a rebellion at Kanchipuram against"Athirajendra Chola" the legitimate successor to the Chola empire, who was oustedfrom the throne.
On hearing same the Western Chalukiya prince "Vikramaditya" pursuedquickly with his forces to Kanchipuram punished the corrupt people in thisrebellion, and then moved towards Gangaikonda Cholapuram broke the rebellion'sarmy and installed his brother-in-law "Athirajendra" back on throne.
Prince "Vikramaditya" stayedat Gangaikonda Cholapuram for a month, probably until the situation properlysettled, and then returned to `Kalyani' the capital city of his Chalukyakingdom north of river Tungabadra.
However not long after"Vikramaditya"s return, the hostile ministers of "AthirajendraChola" killed him. On hearing same, the EasternChalukiya/Chola king "RajendraVishnuvardhanan", the king of Vengi country came with his forces andseized the Chola country for himself.
His claim `to his right' tosuccession on the Chola throne was justified, as he was appointed by"Virarajendra Chola" as the heir apparent after "Athirajendra", and his queen, mother,and grandmother, were all CholaPrincesses. He became the next king of the Chola empire with his newChola royal title the "Kulothunga Chola - 1"(A.D.1070-1120).
This gave "rise" to the rule of the Chola empire by the Eastern Chalukiya/Chola Matri-lineal dynasty,with the "fall" of the Chola Patri-linealdynasty.
"Vikramaditya" the Western Chalukiyaprince possibly had his own designs, and with the death of "Athirajendra" heprepared to invade the Chola country.
On this development"Kulothunga Chola - 1" arranged with the `hostile' elder brother of"Vikramaditya" namely "Someswara II" to attack him from the rear, while he invaded theregion with his own forces, to meet prince "Vikramaditya" face to face.
However prince"Vikramaditya" won over "Someswara - II" who was deposed from the throne, andalso drove the Chola forces beyond Tungabadra river and returned to the Western Chalukya capital `Kalyani', probably abondoning his intentionto invade the Chola country. Thus "Vikramaditya VI (A.D.1071-1126)" became the next successor to Western Chalukya kingdom.
"KulothungaChola" with his ascension on theChola throne, gave the kingdom of Vengi country to his paternal uncle "Vijayaditya II" (A.D.1070-1075)[Rajaraja Narendra's brother] to rule. He thereafter made his fourth son "Vikkrama Chola" (A.D.1118-35) as the heirapparent to Chola Empire.
Thus the Chalukiya/Chola Matri-lineal dynasty of Cholaempire continued even after Vikkrama Chola, with Kulothunga Chola - 2, RajarajaChola - 2, Rajathiraja Cholan - 2, Kulothunga Chola - 3, Rajaraja Chola - 3 andRajendra Cholan - 3, after which the Chola country was finally subdued by thePandiyan king Maravarman Sundera Pandiyan (A.D.1216- 1238).
PrimarySources of Literary Evidences on the above:
(1)Kalingatthuparani - chapter titled Avathaaram
(2)Vikramankadeva Charitha by Bilhana
Indian Kavya Literature - byA.K.Warder, Vol VI, chapter XLIX.
PrimarySources of Epigraphic Evidences on the above:
(1) Inscription of Rajaraja Chola 1 Thiruvalanjuli
No 633 of 1902
(2) Korumelli Plates of (Eastern Chalukiya) Rajaraja
> > Not long after this event inA.D.1070 "Virarajendra Chola" met > his misfortune of severe ill health,`possibly' with imminent > death at any time. During this `same time' his > son"Athirajendra" who was his heir apparent too fell very ill > `possibly'with an incurable sickness, and had no male heirs to > succeed him. > > "Virajendra Chola" underthese circumstances with much foresight > into the future of the Chola empire, inthe year A.D.1070 appointed his > own sister "Amanga"sson "Rajendra Vishnuvardhanan", as > the heir apparent to the Chola empireafter "Athirajendra".
sir,
1070 seems a very important year. However, appointment of a successor before his death by virarajendra, himself dying of ill health, then athirajendra also falling ill. both dying - and K 2 ascending throne.. all within one year - looks a bit too much for coincidence. Further this illness is very much a topic of discussion. as it leads to Ramanuja and the kirumi kanda cholan episode. we need to discuss more and with different sources - as each one gives a different view of this particular year.