Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Vijayalaya Chola

Reign: 846 AD - 881 AD (or 850 AD - 890 AD)
Father: Kumaraan Kusan (according to some scholars)
Wife: Not known
Children: Aditya Chola
Capital city: Uraiyur or Palaiyaru

'Parakesari' Vijayalaya Chola was the first Chola of medieval period. The early Cholas were very powerful. However, they lost thier power and became princes. Even, Vijayalaya Chola was just a prince under the control of Pallava empire. He came to power in 850 AD or 846 AD. Uraiyur or Palaiyaru was his capital city.

During his period, the Pallavas had to keep fighting with Pandyas and Chalukyas. The Pallava king Nandivarman III won Pandian Varagunan and Chola in the battle of Tellaru. Either Vijayalaya Chola or his predecessor would have helped Pandya king in this war.

Later, in 854 AD, there was a battle between Pandian king and Pallava in Kudamooku (current day's Kumbakonam). In this battle, the son of Varaguna Pandian I, Srimaran Srivallaba won the Pallava. Then, there was a battle between Nandivarman's son Nirupadunga Pallava and Srimaran in the banks of river Arichilaru. The Pallava won this battle.

 In 862 AD, Srimaran's son Varaguna Pandian II waged war against the Pallavas. The Pallava king Aparajithavarman got help from his grand father Ganga king Prithvipati. The Chola king Vijayalaya helped the Pallava king. The war hapenned in a small place called Tirupurambiyam near Kumbakonam. There was a royal clan named Mutharaiyar who either used to support Pallavas or Pandyas depending upon the situation. During Vijayalaya's reign, Mutharaiyars were supporting Pandyas and were ruling from Niyamam aka Chenthalai. Tanjore city was also under their control. The Pallava won the battle; Vijayalaya captured Tanjore from Mutharaiyars. Prithvipathi was killed in the battle. It should be noted that it was not him but was his son Aditya Chola was participated in the Tirupurambiyam battle. He would have been very old during this period.

According to few scholars, he had already won Tanjore from Mutharaiyar in 846 AD.

It appears that he had built a temple for Durga (Nisumbasudhani) in Tanjore.

It is not known what was his father's name. However, few scholars assume it would be Kumaraan Kusan.
It is said that he had fought 32 battles and have 96 brave marks in his body.

It is not known about his wife. He had a sone named Aditya Chola.

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