Killivalavan Chola

Period: Probably 1st century BC

Killivalavan was a early Chola king who ruled the kingdom from Uraiyur city. He was the contemporary of Nalankilli, the son of Karikala Chola. Kovvor Kizhar, the poet who sung about Nalankilli, has also sung about Killivalavan. There are references about Killivalavan in the ancient Tamil script 'Pura Nanooru'.

Killivalavan conquered and captured Karur city, the capital of Cheras. Killivalavan was defeated by the Pandya general Pazhaya Maran in another battle. There was another battle fought by Killivalavan against Malai Nadu king Tirumudikkari. Kari was one of famous philanthropists. As per the request by the poet Kovoor Kizhar, Killivalan left Kari's children without killing them after his victory over Kari in the battle.

Nalankilli Chola

Period: Probably 1st century BC

Nalankilli was one of the early Cholas. He was believed to be the son of Karikala Chola. He was ruling from Puhar city.

During the same period, there was another Chola king named Nedunkilli ruled from Aavur city. He occupied Urayur city from Nalankilli. Hence, Nalankilli attacked Aavur fort. Nedunkilli was not so brave as Nalankilli. He closed the doors of fort and was inside the fortress without facing Nalankilli. Then, he somehow escaped to Uraiyur. Nalankilli came to know this and attacked Uraiyur fort also. The Sangam poet Kovoor Kizhaar tried to make peace between them in vain. Ultimately, there was a battle between both the kings in a place called Kariyaru. Nedunkilli was killed in the battle.

It seems he had also won the Pandian kingdom and captured it.

It appears that he had a good naval force as well as military.

It appears that he had a yonger brother named Mavalaththan.

There are about 10 poems in the ancient Tamil script 'Pura Nanooru' about Nalankilli. He was sung by the poet named Kovoor Kizhaar. Mudukannan Chaththanaar also sang about this king.

Elara Chola

Period: 2nd century BC

As per the ancient Sri Lankan historical book 'Mahavamsha' which was written in 6th century AD, the Tamil Chola king named Elara moved to Sri Landa in 2nd century BC. His predecessor was Asela. The Chola king Elara won Asela in a battle and captured the northern part of Sri Lanka. He ruled that region for 44 years. He was considered as a great ruler and good king by Sri Lankan people. Although he didn't belong to Buddhism, he ensured that he had a good relationship with Buddhists, the majority community of Sri Lanka.

There are many mythological stories refer to this king. As per one story, he killed his own son to give justice to a cow whose calf was overrun and accidentally killed by his son's car (rath). This story is similar to that of the mythological king Manuneedi Chola. Some people even consider that Manuneedi Chola and Elara Chola are one and the same.

Dutugemenu waged war against Elara Chola. Elara had to run to Anuradhapuram and ultimately he was killed in the battle. Dutugemenu who was with the objective to spread Buddhism did final rites to Elara king and he even constructed a tomb for him.

Mauryas and Cholas

The great Mauryan King Asoka had Cholas as his contemporaries. The reference of Cholas are available in Asoka's rock edicts. Based on that, it appears that Cholas were independent kings and they were not part of Asoka's empire.

As per the Tamil poet named Mamoolanar, it is evident that Mauryas conquered South India. They got help from Kosars, who had earlier captured the Tulu country. The Mauryas found it difficult to fight against the Mogur king and hence they got help from Vadugars to win them. As per the Tibetian historian Taranath, it can be assumed that it was Bindusara who had conquered South India. We should assume that after Bindusara, the Mauryas power reclined in South India and they probably became friends of Maurysa during Asoka's time.

Peruncheralathan Chera

The Chera king Peruncheralathan lived during the Tamil Sangam period (sometime between 2nd century BC and 2nd century AD). He along with Pandya king and 11 other princes fought against the famous Chola king Karikalan in the battle of Venni. The poet Venni Kuyaththiyar has recorded this battle in his poem in 'Pattinaththu Palai'. Karikala won the battle. The Chera king got hurt on this back. As he was following the brave culture of ancient Tamil warriors, he commited suicide due to this reason.

The battle of Venni

The battle of Venni is one of the popular battles of ancient Tamil history. The exact year of the battle is unknown. It hapenned during the Tamil Sangam period in a place named Venni near today's Tanjore city in Tamil Nadu, South India. This battle should have hapenned between 2nd century BC and 2nd century AD.

The ancient Tamil literature 'Pattinaththu Palai' talks about Karikala Chola and his great victory in the battle of Venni. In the battle of Venni, it is evident that Karikala Chola won Chera king, Pandya king and 11 other small princes together. The reason for this battle is unknown. In this battle, the Chera king got hurt on his back. The Chera king being the legendary ancient Tamil king and being the one who followed the culture of ancient Tamil warrior, committed suicide due to this. The poet Venni Kuyaththiyar, a friend of Karikalan, witnessed this battle and sung about the same.

Karikala Chola

Period: Not known; between 2nd century BC and 2nd century AD

Karikala Chola was the most popular king among the early Chola kings. Although there are lot of historical proofs and ancient poems are available to proove the existence of this king, there are a lot of mythological stories associated with this kings. It is very difficult to differentiate the historical incidents and mythological incidents in Karikala's history.

It is believed that Karikala Chola ruled around 2nd century BC or 2nd century AD during Sangam period. He was the son of the king Ilanchet Chenni. His mother was Azhundurven's daughter. As per some stories, Karikalan lost his father in his young age. His enemies put him behind the bars. While escaping from the prison, his legs got caught in the fire in the prison. Hence he got the name 'Karikalan' which means 'burnt legs' in Tamil language.

The ancient Tamil literature 'Pattinaththu Palai' talks about Karikala Chola and his great victory in the battle of Venni. Venni is a small place near Tanjore in Tamil Nadu. In the battle of Venni, it is evident that Karikala Chola won Chera king, Pandya king and 11 other small princes together. The reason for this battle is unknown. In this battle, the Chera king got hurt on his back. The Chera king Peruncheralathan, being the legendary ancient Tamil king and being the one who followed the culture of ancient Tamil warrior, committed suicide due to this. The poet Venni Kuyaththiyar, a friend of Karikalan, witnessed this battle and sung about the same.

Karikala Chola won nine princes together in the battle of Vagai Paranthalai which was sung by Paranar. Due to these victories Oviyars and Aruvalars surrendered to him.

There is a version which claims that he even won Himalayas in the north and Sri Lanka in the south.

Karikalan was a religious king. He gave importance to irrigation during his period. He built Kallanai dam near Trichy in South India, which is considered as one of the oldest water regulator structure which is still in use. He converted many forests into fields.

As per some stories, he married a Velir princess from a place called Nangur. His daughter Adimanti married the Chera princess Attanathi. As Attanathi died in Kaveri flood, Adimanti committed suicide.

As per the old Tamil literature Silappatikaram, this king invaded till Himalayas and won Magada, Vajra and Avanti kings.

Nalankilli who ruled from Puhar city and fought with Nedunkilli is believed to be the son of Karikala Chola. Karikala also had another son named Mavalathan.

There are some legends without proof such as the elephant choosing him as the king by putting garland, his invasion to Kanchipuram and the movement of Velirs to Tondaimandalam by him.

There are some scholars who believe that there were two Karikalans and not just one.

Karikalan was definitely a powerful king. Not only Vijayalaya Chola, but even Telugu Cholas and few princes from Kannda land used to claim that they belonged to Karikalan dynasty.

The references about this king are found in ancient Tamil books such as Silappadhikaram, Porunar Aattruppadai, Pattinapalai, Ettu Thokai, Periya Puranam and Kalingaththu Barani.

The king supported Tamil literature. His uncle Irumbidar Thalaiyar was a poet. During his period, Uruthiran Kannanar sang him in Pattina Palai; Mudaththamak Kanniyaar sang him in Porunar Aattru Padai; also, poets like Kaviripoompattinaththu Karikkannnaar, Konattu Erichalur Madalan Madurai Kumaranaar and Maruththuvan Damodaranaar sang his praises.

Manu Needhi Chola

Period: 2nd century BC

Manu Needhi Chola was a mythological king. He was believed to be a ruler during Sangam age and considered as an early Chola king. As his son killed a calf by his car (rath), he killed his own son to provide justice to cow.

He ruled the Chola kingdom from Tiruvarur and was a great devotee of Lord Shiva.

The old Tamil books such as Silappadhikaram, Manimegalai and Periya Puranam written much later call this king as 'Manu Needhi Chola'. Otherwise, there is no name mentioned for this king. As per Maha Vamsam, there was Chola king named Elaran who ruled Sri Lanka for 45 years. The same story was told about him too in Mahavamsam. There is a possibility that both Elaran and Mand Needhi Chola were the same person.

Sibi

Period: Before 3rd century BC; no proper historical records

Sibi was a mythological king. There is no historical record about this king. However, the reference about this king is found in various ancient Sanskrit and Tamil books such as Ramayana, Mahabharata, Buddhist Jataka stories, Periya Puranam, Pura Nanoonuru, Silappathikaram, Kalingaththu Barani, Vikiram Cholan Ula, etc.

The Tamil books claim that he was an early Chola king and also called him as 'Sembian'. Even the medieval Cholas claimed that they belonged to Sibi's dynasty and hence each Chola king had the surname 'Sembian'.

Sibi was a mythological king who was believed to have sacrificed his own body's flesh to protect a dove from a hawk. Popularly known as Sibi Chakravarthy, he was a well known philanthropist. The devas (as per Hindu mythology) wanting to test the compasionate nature of Sibi, took the form of a hawk and a pigeon. The pigeon chased by the hawk fell on Sibi's lap seeking his protection. When Sibi wanted to protect the pigeon, he was faced by the logical argument by the hawk. The hawk claimed that it was its right to have pigeon as its food. Sibi offered to compensate the pigeon with his own flesh.

Thoongeyil Erinda Toditol Sembian Chola

Period: Before 3rd century BC; no historical records

"Thoongeyil Erinda Toditol" Sembian was a mythological Chola king who is considered as one of the early Chola kings during Sangam period. As per the advice by the sage Agastya, he started celebrating the festival for Indra (Indra vizha). The festival was celebrated for 28 days. He celebrated this festival in Poompuhar aka Kaveripoompattinam. Since then, all his successors celebrated Indra vizha every year.

As per the mythology, he destroyed the magical flying fort.

The reference of this king are found in Silappathikaram, Manimegalai, Pazhamozhi, Chiru Pannattrupadai, Pura Nanoonuru, Kalingaththu Barni, Muvarula, etc.

Kakandan Chola

Period: Before 3rd century BC; no historical record

The Chola king Kakandan was a mythological early Chola king. There is no historical proof about this king. He ruled the Chola kingdom and had Poompuhar or Kaverpoompattinam as his capital. He was the illegitimate son of the king Kantamanan. As Parasuram, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was killing all the Indian kings due to his vow, Kantamanan made him as the king and ran away from his kingdome. It is also believed that he was made as the king only for a short period.

Kakandan was a king during the Sangam period. He was contemporary of sage Agastya and Parasuram.

Kantaman Chola

Period: Before 3rd century BC; no historical records

Kantaman Chola was a mythological Chola king. There is no historical proof about this king. As per the mythological stories, Kantaman was supposed to be the contemporary of the sage Agastya. With the help of Agastya, he brought the river Kaveri (aka Cauvery) to Tamil Nadu region of South India.

As per another mythological story, Lord Parasuram, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was killing all the kings in India due to his vow. In order to escape from Parasuram, he made his illegitimate son Kakandan as the ruler of his kingdom for a short time and ran away from his kingdom.

Kantaman and Kakandan ruled the Chola kingdom from Poompuhar aka Kaveripoompattinam. They are considered as the early Chola kings who probably ruled Chola kingdom during Sangam period.