Saturday, February 25, 2012

Aditya Chola I

Aditya Chola I was the son of Vijayalaya Chola. It appears that his reign was between 870 AD and 907 AD. He had "Rajakesari" title. He was also called as Kodnda Raman.

The famous Thirupurambiyam battle hapenned during the period of this great Chola king. Thirupurambiyam is a small town near Tanjore in Tamil Nadu state of India. The battle was mainly between the Pallava king Aparajit and Pandia king Varaguna Pandian aka Varagunavarman II. After the Pallava king Nandivarman III died in 869 AD, the differences arose between his eldest son Nripatunga and another son Aparajit. Nripatunga was supported by Pandians whereas Aparajit was supported by Pallavas. Aparajit also got the support of Ganga king Prithvipathi I and Aditya Chola I. This battle should have hapenned in 879 AD. The Pandians were defeated in this battle. Although Pallavas won the battle, the Ganga king Prithvipathi was killed in the battle. Hence, the maximum benefit of victory went to the Chola king. Pallavas gave many regions around Tanjore from Mutharaiyars to Chola king as the token of appreciation.

After Thirupurambiyam battle, the Pandyas wanted to reduce the importance of Cholas. They even invaded Cholas and camped at a place called Idavai in the northern part of Chola kingdom. However, nothing much is known about this incident.

Later, the chola king Aditya Chola I became very powerful. In a battle, he defeated Aparajit and captured Pallava kingdom. It is believed that he himself killed Aparajit who was riding an elephant in the battle. This battle would have hapenned in 890 AD. However, it appears that for the next few years there was no peace in the newly acquired kingdom. Aditya and his son Parantaga Chola had to keep controlling the revolt and fight tiny battles. Although there is no proper records, it appears that Gangas would have helped Cholas to win Pallavas. It is evident from the fact that they accepted Pallavas as their masters.

Aditya married Ilango Pitchi, the daughter of Rashtrakoota king Krishna II. She was his first wife. He also married a Pallava princess.

It was during his period the Chola kingdom spread like anything. He captured Tondai Mandalam (region) from Pallavas. Gangas were under his control. He also captured Kongu country. He maintained good relationship with Tanu Ravi, the Chera king. Parantaga Chola and Kannara Deva are his sons.

He was a great devotee. He built a lot of Shiva temples across Tamil Nadu. It is said that he built totally 64 Shiva temples across the banks of river Cauvery right from its origin till the site where it merges with the ocean.

He died in a place called Maanadu near Kalahasti. His son Parantaga built a temple called as Kodanda Rameswaran aka Aditeeswaram on his tomb.

It was during his period the Cholas started claiming themselves as the descendants of Sun. The inscriptions were made with the list of 15 kings before Vijayalaya Chola in Anbil. Tiruvalankadu inscription gives the list of 44 Chola kings. Kanyakumari inscription gives the list of 52 kings whereas Leidan inscription gives the list of 12 kings. The ancient Tamil literature books such as Kalingathu Barani and Ottakkootharin Ulakkal give different list of Chola kings. Not any two lists give similar names.

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