Repeat - as earlier posting has not comeout properly due to some problem in the Rich-Text Editor
"Fall" of Patri-lineal dynasty & "Rise" of Matri-lineal dynasty of Medieval Chola Empire
The greatness of the medieval Chola Empire built up by Rajaraja Chola - 1, Rajendra Chola - 1, Rajathiraja Chola, Rajendra Chola - 2, Rajamahendra Chola, and Virarajendra Chola, was upheld by them for three generations up to the end of the Patri-lineal king Virarajendra. While Rajaraja - 1 ruled from `Thanjavur' all his 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 Eastern Chalukiya king "Vimaladityan (A.D.1011-18)".Their son was "Rajaraja Narendra".
Rajendra Chola - 1 (A.D.1012-1044) gave his daughter "Amanga" in marriage to the Eastern Chalukya/Chola king "Rajaraja Narendra (A.D.1022-61)". Their son 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 Vengi country consecutively, after the last Eastern Chalukya king "Vimaladityan". The Vengi country was a region in East India between Tungabadra and Godavari rivers adjoining the sea.
"Virarajendra Chola (A.D.1063-1070)" of the Patri-lineal dynasty ascended the Chola throne in A.D.1063. His authority extended 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 the Tungabadra river was ruled by the king "Someswara II" (1068-1071). His younger brother "Vikramaditya" the Western Chalukya prince, with intention to invade the Chola country moved southwards beyond the Tungabadra river (most `possibly' around A.D.1069).
"Virarajendra" possibly very weary 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, came into terms with the Chalukya prince "Vikramaditya".
In accordance with their terms, the "Vikramaditya" agreed to withdraw northwards beyond Tungabadra river, thus enabling the Chola king "Virarajendra" to retain the territorial integrity of his empire.
This bond of friendship resulted in they exchanging presents, and "Virarajendra Chola" giving his daughter (name not known) in marriage to the Western Chalukya prince "Vikramaditya - VI" .
Not long after this event in A.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" under these circumstances with much foresight into the future of the Chola empire, in the year A.D.1070 appointed his own sister "Amanga"s son "Rajendra Vishnuvardhanan", as the heir apparent to the Chola empire after "Athirajendra".
"Virarajendra Chola" met his death soon after that year, and there rose a rebellion at Kanchipuram against "Athirajendra Chola" the legitimate successor to the Chola empire, who was ousted from the throne.
On hearing same the Western Chalukiya prince "Vikramaditya" pursued quickly with his forces to Kanchipuram punished the corrupt people in this rebellion, and then moved towards Gangaikonda Cholapuram broke the rebellion's army and installed his brother-in-law "Athirajendra" back on throne.
Prince "Vikramaditya" stayed at Gangaikonda Cholapuram for a month, probably until the situation properly settled, and then returned to `Kalyani' the capital city of his Chalukya kingdom north of river Tungabadra.
However not long after "Vikramaditya"s return, the hostile ministers of "Athirajendra Chola" killed him. On hearing same, the Eastern Chalukiya/Chola king "Rajendra Vishnuvardhanan", the king of Vengi country came with his forces and seized the Chola country for himself.
His claim `to his right' to succession 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 Chola Princesses. Thus the Eastern Chalukiya/Chola king "Rajendra Vishnuvardhanan" became the next king of the mighty Chola empire with his new Chola 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-lineal dynasty.
"Vikramaditya" the "Western Chalukiya" prince possibly had his own designs, and with the death of "Athirajendra" he prepared 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 the region with his own forces, to meet prince "Vikramaditya" face to face.
However prince "Vikramaditya" won over "Someswara - II" who was deposed from the throne, and also drove the Chola forces beyond Tungabadra river and returned to the Western Chalukya capital `Kalyani', probably abondoning his intention to invade the Chola country. Thus "Vikramaditya VI (A.D.1071-1126)" became the next successor to Western Chalukya kingdom.
"Kulothunga Chola" with his ascension on the Chola 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 heir apparent to Chola Empire.
Thus the Chalukiya/Chola Matri-lineal dynasty of Chola empire continued even after Vikkrama Chola, with Kulothunga Chola - 2, Rajaraja Chola - 2, Rajathiraja Cholan - 2, Kulothunga Chola - 3, Rajaraja Chola - 3 and Rajendra Cholan - 3, after which the Chola country was finally subdued by the Pandiyan king Maravarman Sundera Pandiyan (A.D.1216 - 1238).
Note:
The medieval Chola kings often gave their daughters in marriage to the kings and princes of the other countries (who were not necessarily from the Tamil Royal dynasties), in order to strengthen their position with the neighbouring and far lying kingdoms of their period.
It has been already seen that Cholas had matrimonial alliances wi
Dear Sir, After Rajendran I, his son Rajathirajan came to throne (ruled for36 years alongwith his father)and died in 1054. Rajendra II came to throne on 18th May 1052 and ruled for 12 years. Before Veera Rajanedran came to throne,the son of Rajendran II -Raja Mahendran was in throne. The lineage from Rajarajan I is given as follows. 1.Rajaraja CholanAD985 - 1014 2.RajathirajanAD 1018 - 1053 3.Rajjedran II (Brother of Rajathirajan) AD 1052 - 1064 4.Raja Mahendran (son of Rajendran II) AD 1060 - 1063 5.Veera Rajendran(brother of Rajathirajan and Rajendran II) AD 1063 - 1069 6Adhi Rajendran (son of Veera Rajendran) AD1067/68-1070 AND, .One of your primary sources ,Vikramanga Deva Saritham says : Vikramaditya VI fought with his brother's army and made them run back. At that time Veera Rajendra Chola was in full of fear and sent a person to Vikramadiaya and requested to marry his daughter. After the death of Adhi Rajendran Kulothungan I occupied the throne and on hearing this Vikramaditya came again with a huge army and captured Kulothunga I(Rajigan) and Someswara. Vikramaditya became the King of whole south(This is quiet contrary to the history I suppose). Pilhana wrote Vikramanga Deva Saritham only in praise of Vikramaditya and with more exaggerations.is the opinion of K.A.Neelakanta Sastri in "The Cholas" Kindly clarify.
Dear Sir I am very very sorry for jumping across Rajendra I(from 1012-1044 AD). But I have started with "After Rajendra I..." and tried toget clarification about the years ruled by Rajendra I'ssons to Thowhitra Lineage starting from Kulothunga. (That was because Iwas reading about the six sons of Rajathirajan and to find their places in Chola history-My hands with computer goes in a way and my mind goes in another way. I am very sorry ). Please try to give me the years ruled by Rajendra I's sons which is important to the novel I have just began )