Kalabhras (Kalappirar)

Kalabhras who are called as Kalappirars by Tamils ruled Tamil Nadufor about three centuries from 3^rd or 4^th century AD. After their decline it was ruled by Pallavas and Pandyas for the next three centuries. Cholas came to limelight again in the middle of 9^th century AD during Vijayalayala Chola.

It is not clearly known who were Kalappirars actually. They appeared to be bandit group. The region between Tirupati and Ganges river was ruled by Satavahanas. Pallavas were princes who ruled the southern region and had accepted the supremacy of Satavahanas. After the decline of Satavahanas, Pallavas became powerful. They claimed themselves as the emperors for the region between Krishna river and Pennai river. They also captured Aruva and Aruva Vadathalai countries. This led the bandits in the forests of Kadappai to move towards south. Pallavas kept capturing the countries occupied by them and ultimately made Kanchi as their capital. The first Pallava king to have Kanchi as his capital was Siva Skandavarman. This made Kalabhras to enter into Cholas and Pandya regions. This could have hapenned between 350 AD - 450 AD.

Kalabhras ruled Chola region as powerful emperors till 575 AD. They were completely defeated by the Pallava king Simha Vishnu. They lost their mpire. They became princes in various regions such as Tanjore, Vallam, Chenthalai, Pudukkottai, etc.

In between, the Pandya king Kandungon became powerful and he established the Pandyan empire successfully. Similar to Pandyas, Cholas couldn't reestablish their empire. Initially, Kalbhras were powerful. Then, there were powerful Pallavas ruling the Chola region till 875 AD.

It appears the Kalabhras were Jains and Buddhists.

There are references about a Kalappirar king named Achchutavikkandan who claimed to have won Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas. He was a Buddhist. The reference was found in a book written by Buddhadatta (period: probably 450 AD).

Udaya Kumaran Chola

Period:  Probably 150 AD - 200 AD

Udaya Kumaran was the son of Nedumudi Killi, who was an early Chola king lived during Silappadhikram period.  Banas were princes who ruled North Arcot region. The Bana princess Ceerthi was Udaya Kumaran's mother.

Manimegalai, the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi, had religious powers. Using that, she was feeding the poor people in Poompuhar. When the king came to know, he invited her to his palace and honoured her. He also coverted his prison into a 'Dharma sala'.

Udaya Kumaran fell in love with Manimegalai. However, Manimegalai, being a Buddhist saint, was interesting only in serving the poor. She diguised herself into a female named Kaya Chandikai. However, Udaya Kumaran knew this and still he was disturbing Manimegalai. By mistaking that Udaya Kumaran was running after his wife, Kaya Chandikai's husband Vidhyadhar killed him and went back to his own country. Manimegalai was put behind the bars by the king. The queen took her out of the prison and kept her under house arrest in her palace. She tortured her; utlimately she realized the greatness of Manimegalai and let her go.

Ilan Killi

Period:  Probably 150 AD - 200 AD

Ilan Killi was an early Chola king who ruled during the Silappadhikaram period.  He ruled the northern region of Chola with Kanchipuram as his capital. He had an elder brother Nedumudi Killi by name. His father and the famous Chera king Chenguttuvan's mother Narchonai were siblings. Hence, Chenguttuvan fought with nine competitors of Nedumudi Killi after his father's demise and made him as the Chola king.

Within few years since he became the king, the Pandian king and Chera king attacked Chola land. It is not known who were those kings; there is a possibilitiy that there were few Pandian and Chera princes during that period. They were controlled and defeated by Ilan Killi in a place named 'Kariyaru'.

Manimegalai, the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi, had religious powers. Using that, she was feeding the poor people in Poompuhar. When the king came to know, he invited her to his palace and honoured her. He also coverted his prison into a 'Dharma sala'.

Udaya Kumaran fell in love with Manimegalai. However, Manimegalai, being a Buddhist saint, was interesting only in serving the poor. She diguised herself into a female named Kaya Chandikai. However, Udaya Kumaran knew this and still he was disturbing Manimegalai. By mistaking that Udaya Kumaran was running after his wife, Kaya Chandikai's husband Vidhyadhar killed him and went back to his own country. Manimegalai was put behind the bars by the king. The queen took her out of the prison and kept her under house arrest in her palace. She tortured her; utlimately she realized the greatness of Manimegalai and let her go.

Manimegalai went to various places. Ultimately, she came to know that there was a major poverty in Kanchipuram. To control the same, she went there. She was honoured by Ilan Killi. He also showed her the Buddhist temple that he had built.

Chenguttuvan Chera

Period:  Probably 150 AD - 200 AD

Cheran Chenguttuvan was a famous early Chera king who lived during Silappadhikram period. The Chola king Nedumudi Killi's father and his mother Narchonai were siblings. Hence, Chenguttuvan fought with nine competitors of Nedumudi Killi after his father's demise and made him as the Chola king.

Nedumudi Killi Chola

Period:  Probably 150 AD - 200 AD

Nedumudi Killi was an early Chola king who lived during Silappadhikram period. His father and the famous Chera king Chenguttuvan's mother Narchonai were siblings. Hence, Chenguttuvan fought with nine competitors of Nedumudi Killi after his father's demise and made him as the Chola king.

The king was also called as Venver Killi, Maavan Killi, Killi, Vadiver Killi and Suzhar Killi.

Banas were princes who ruled North Arcot region. He married the Bana princess Ceerthi by name. His only son was Udaya Kumaran.

He had a younger brother named Ilan Killi, who ruled the country with Kanchipuram as his capital.

Within few years since he became the king, the Pandian king and Chera king attacked Chola land. It is not known who were those kings; there is a possibilitiy that there were few Pandian and Chera princes during that period. They were controlled and defeated by Ilan Killi in a place named 'Kariyaru'.

Manimegalai, the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi, had religious powers. Using that, she was feeding the poor people in Poompuhar. When the king came to know, he invited her to his palace and honoured her. He also coverted his prison into a 'Dharma sala'.

Udaya Kumaran fell in love with Manimegalai. However, Manimegalai, being a Buddhist saint, was interesting only in serving the poor. She diguised herself into a female named Kaya Chandikai. However, Udaya Kumaran knew this and still he was disturbing Manimegalai. By mistaking that Udaya Kumaran was running after his wife, Kaya Chandikai's husband Vidhyadhar killed him and went back to his own country. Manimegalai was put behind the bars by the king. The queen took her out of the prison and kept her under house arrest in her palace. She tortured her; utlimately she realized the greatness of Manimegalai and let her go.

Manimegalai went to various places. Ultimately, she came to know that there was a major poverty in Kanchipuram. To control the same, she went there. She was honoured by Ilan Killi. He also showed her the Buddhist temple that he had built.

Nedumudi Killi once fell in love with a girl he met in Poompuhar beach. He lived with her for one month and then he couldn't find her. From a Buddist, he came to know that she was Naga king Valaivanan's daughter Peelivalai. Peelivalai gave birth to a son. He sent that boy with a Chetti merchant in a ship to Poompuhar. The ship submerged in the ocean; the Chettiar somehow escapted to the land and told about this to the king. As the king thought he lost his son, he forgot everything including the annual Indra Vizha celebration. Due to this, the entire Poompuhar city was submerged in the ocean.

Nal Urudhiran Chola

Cholan Nal Urudhiran was an early Chola lived during the Sangam period. He was also a poet. There is nothing much known about this king.

Nedunkilli Chola

Period: Probably 1st century BC

Nedunkilli was one of the early Cholas. During the same peirod, there was another Chola kind named Nalankilli, the son of Karikalan, became the Chola ruler in Pumpuhar. Nedunkilli ruled the country 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.

Musukunda Chakravarthy

Period: Before 3rd century BC; no historical records

Musukunda Chakravarthy was a mythological king; he was believed to have ruled Chola kingdom from Karur city. As per certain Hindu Puranas such as Vishnu Purana and Skanda Purana, he had monkey face and human body.

He helped Devendra, the Lord of Devas, in a battle and became his friend. As a token of appreciation, he got seven Shiv Linga idols from Indira. He installed them in seven places in South India. Those sites are called as 'Saptavidanga Sthalam'.

As per the mythology, Indira sent a bhooth (ghost) to serve Musukundan. The bhooth served in a market place in Poompuhar city. It was believed that it used to punish the citizens if they missed to celebrate 'Indira Vizha' (festival to Indira) every year. The ghost was named as 'Nalangadi Bhootham'.

The references about this king are found in ancient books such as Silappadikaram, Manimegalai, Oru Thurai Kovai, etc.

Uttama Chola

Uttama Chola was the son of Gandaraditya Chola and the famous Sembian Mahadevi. He was called as Madurantaga Uttama Chola. When Gandaraditya Chola died, he was a small kid. Hence, Gandaraditya's son Arinjaya Chola came to throne. After Arinjaya Chola, his son Parantaka Sundara Chola became the Chola king. Uttama Chola had equal rights for Chola throne similar to Parantaka Sundara Chola.

There is a theory that Uttama Chola would have killed Aditya Karikala Chola, the brave son of Sundara Chola to avoid any further challenges for him to become king. However, there is no solid proof for this. It's true that Sundara Chola made him as the successor in 970 AD, although he had another son Arunmozhivarman aka Rajaraja Chola who was very among the public. There is a possibility that Rajaraja Chola and Uttama Chola would have arrived at a treaty so that Uttama Chola became the king. It was probably as per the treaty that Rajaraja Chola succeeded Uttama Chola, whereas Uttama Chola's only son Madurantaga Gandaraditya was just given an official post.

Uttama Chola should have become the king in 973 AD after the death of Sundara Chola. He ruled the country till 985 AD.

Uttama Chola had many wives. Out of them, Orattanam Chorappaiyar was her queen.

He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva.

The oldest Chola period coins that we have today belongs to his period.

Aditya Karikalan Chola

Aditya Karikalan Chola was the elder son of Sundara Chola. His full name was Aditya II Parakesari Parthivendra Karikalan.

Parantaka I Chola had captured Pandia kingdom. However, in due course, Veera Pandian had started ruling his country as an independent king. As per the Leyden inscriptions and Karandai inscriptions, in a place called Chevur near Pudukkottai there was a battle between Chola and Pandya. Sundara Chola personally killed a lot of elephants in this battle. His son Aditya Chola was very young. Still, he fought bravely with Veera Pandian and got the title 'Veera Pandian Thalai Konda'. Although the inscriptions from Tiruvalankadu claim that the Pandyan king was killed, it need not to be true. It appears he was defeated by Cholas and ran away to Sahiyatri mountain. Pandian got help from Ceylong king for this battle.

Aditya Chola was killed under mysterious circumstances. It appears that Sundara Chola was broken down after his son's death and he was not successful in punishing those who were responsible for his son's murder. There is a theory that Aditya was killed by Uttama Chola, the cousin of Sundara Chola and son of Gandaraditya Chola. Uttama Chola had equal rights like Sundara Chola to become the king; hence, he would have probably killed Aditya Chola so that he could at least succeed Sundara Chola.

Sundara Chola

Sundara Chola was the son of Parantaka Chola I and Kalyani. He became prince in the year of 956 AD. He became king after Arinjaya Chola (in the year 957 AD?). He ruled the country till 973 AD. He had Rajakesari title and his full name was Parantaka II Sundara Chola.

Parantaka I Chola had captured Pandia kingdom. However, in due course, Veera Pandian had started ruling his country as an independent king. As per the Leyden inscriptions and Karandai inscriptions, in a place called Chevur near Pudukkottai there was a battle between Chola and Pandya. Sundara Chola personally killed a lot of elephants in this battle. His son Aditya Chola was very young. Still, he fought bravely with Veera Pandian and got the title 'Veera Pandian Thalai Konda'. Although the inscriptions from Tiruvalankadu claim that the Pandyan king was killed, it need not to be true. It appears he was defeated by Cholas and ran away to Sahiyatri mountain. Pandian got help from Ceylong king for this battle. It lead Chiriya Velalar to conquer Ceylon; however, he was not successful and died in the battle in 965 AD.

During the battle against Veera Pandian, Sundara Chola got help from Poori Vikrama Kesari from Kodumbalur and Parthivendravarman.

Even though the battle against the Pandyas was won by Sundara Chola, it doesn't appear that he had completely controlled the Pandyan kingdom during his period. However, it appears that he was successful to reclaim some of his regions in the north from Rashtrakutas.

He died in his golden palace in Kanchipuram. His wife Vanavan Madevi, the daughter of Malayaman, sacrificed her life through sati practice. Her statue was erected by her daughter Kundavai in Tanjore Brahadeeswarar temple. He also had another wife, a Chera princess.

Sundara Chola supported literature during his period. A poetic book named 'Veera Chozhiyam' was written to praise him during his period.

Sundara Chola's brave son Aditya II Parakesari Parthivendra Karikalan was killed under mysterious circumstances. It appears that Sundara Chola was broken down after his son's death and he was not successful in punishing those who were responsible for his son's murder. There is a theory that Aditya was killed by Uttama Chola, the cousin of Sundara Chola and son of Gandaraditya Chola. To avoid revolt or due to mutual acceptance by Rajaraja Chola, the popular son of Sundara Chola, Uttama Chola was made as the price and the successor of Chola throne in 970 AD.

Arinjaya Chola

Arinjaya Chola was the younger son of Parantaka Chola I. He was also called as Arikulakesari and Arindaman. It appears that he became prince in 956 AD and lived till 957 AD. It looks like he got a chance to rule the country only for a brief period after his elder brother Gandaraditya Chola. There is nothing much known about his reign.

Vengi (Chalukya) king Bheema II's daughter Kundavai was Arinjaya's wife. He also had another wife Kodai Piratiyar by name, who was probably the daughter of Vaanar king. He had a daughter named Arinjinga Piratiyaar through Kodai.

There is a possibility that he would have lost his life while trying to reclaim the southern region from Rashtrakutas. It appears he died in a place named Aattrur near Melpadi.