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Cholas
The Chola empire existed in southern
India. Around the mid-ninth
century, Vijayalaya, a Pallava
vassal, conquered Tanjore and rose from obscurity. He and his people had
Tamil origins but some of their ancestry reveals traces of
Indo-European influence,
such as the name Aryaman in the
Chola
genealogy. As well as ruling their heartland, they also ruled large tracts
of lands in adjoining Andhra, Kerala and Karnataka. Thanks to their impressive
naval power, they expanded their kingdom to include the present day countries
of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and areas of Malaysia and Indonesia. Their trading
sphere included their colonies and also
China and the
Near East,
and they played a major role in the history of southern India, mainly in the
Sangam Age before the invasion of the Kalabhras and later the Pallavas.
The Chola kings were great patrons of the arts, literature, and poetry,
and constructed several magnificent temples, the most famous being the
Brihadeswara Temple of Thanjavur/Tanjore. Militarily, they were in constant
conflict with the
Western Chalukyas.
(Information by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha, and additional information by Edward
Dawson.) |
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Prehistoric Cholas
The Chola kings of the
Sangam (literature) period have legends about the mythical Chola kings.
Their pantheon of gods were led by Shiva the supreme god, Aiyai or Uma the
Kotravai (Kullabai), Sevvel or Muruga the Kurinci-Marudakkadavul, ThiruMaal
or Maayoan the Mullaikkadavul, Vanci-Irai (Indra), Neitharman (Varuna or
Warunaz - the latter is based on the
Indo-European root word
for 'ward' or 'guard'), El the Uthi (the sun) and Nanna the Mathi (the
moon). The following list of early Sangam Cholas has been built from the
various poems of Purananuru. The dates of accession are an approximate
interpolation of the Hindu Puranic Timeline.
(Additional information by Edward Dawson.) |
c.3020 BC |
Eri Oliyan Vaendhi |
|
c.2980 BC |
Maandhuvaazhi |
|
c.2945 BC |
El Mei Nannan |
|
c.2895 BC |
Keezhai Kinjuvan |
|
c.2865 BC |
Vazhisai Nannan |
|
c.2820 BC |
Mei Kiyagusi Aerru |
|
c.2810 BC |
Aai Kuzhi Agusi Aerru |
|
c.2800 BC |
Thizhagan Maandhi |
|
c.2770 BC |
Maandhi Vaelan |
|
c.2725 BC |
Aai Adumban |
|
c.2710 BC |
Aai Nedun Jaet Chozha Thagaiyan |
|
c.2680 BC |
El Mei Agguvan / Keezh Nedu Mannan |
|
c.2650 BC |
Mudiko Mei Kaalaiyam Thagaiyan |
|
c.2645 BC |
Ilangok Keezh Kaalaiyan Thagaiyan |
|
c.2645 BC |
Ilangok Keezh Kaalaiyan Thagaiyan is also known as Ilangeezh Nannan. His
brother, Aai Keezh Nannan, is the progenitor of the
Kadambas.
 |
The Gangaikonda Cholapuram temples built by the Cholas
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c.2630 BC |
Kaalaiyan Gudingyan |
|
c.2615 BC |
Nedun Gaalayan Dhagayan |
|
c.2614 BC |
Vaengai Nedu Vael Varaiyan |
|
c.2600 BC |
Vaet Kaal Kudingyan |
|
c.2590 BC |
Maei Ila Vael Varaiyan |
|
c.2580 BC |
Sibi Vendhi |
|
c.2535 BC |
Paru Nonji Chaamazhingyan |
|
c.2525 BC |
Vaeqratrtri Chembiya Chozhan |
|
c.2515 BC |
Saamazhi Chozhiya Vaelaan |
|
c.2495 BC |
Uthi Ven Gaalai Thagan |
|
c.2475 BC |
Nannan That Kaalai Thagan |
|
c.2445 BC |
Vel Vaen Mindi |
|
c.2415 BC |
Nedun Jembiyan |
|
c.2375 BC |
Nedu Nonji Vendhi |
|
c.2330 BC |
Maei Vael Paqratrtri |
|
c.2315 BC |
Aai Perun Thoan Nonji |
|
c.2275 BC |
Kudiko Pungi |
|
c.2250 BC |
Perun Goep Poguvan |
|
c.2195 BC |
Koeth Thatrtri |
|
c.2160 BC |
Vadi Sembiyan |
|
c.2110 BC |
Aalam Poguvan |
|
c.2085 BC |
Nedun Jembiyan |
|
c.2056 BC |
Perum Paeyar Poguvan |
|
c.2033 BC |
Kadun Jembiyan |
|
c.2015 BC |
Nedun Kathan |
|
c.1960 BC |
Paru Nakkan |
|
c.1927 BC |
Vani Sembiyan |
|
c.1902 BC |
Udha Chira Mondhuvan |
|
c.1875 BC |
Perun Kaththan |
|
c.1860 BC |
Kadun Kandhalan |
|
c.1799 BC |
Nakka Monjuvan |
|
c.1786 BC |
Maarko Vael Maandhuvan Aaththikko |
|
c.1753 BC |
Musukunthan Vaendhi |
|
c.1723 BC |
Peru Nakkan Thatrtri |
|
c.1703 BC |
Vaer Kaththan |
|
c.1682 BC |
Ambalaththu Irumundruvan |
|
c.1640 BC |
Kaari Mondhuvan |
|
c.1615 BC |
Vennakkan Thatrtri |
|
c.1565 BC |
Maarko Chunthuvan |
|
c.1520 BC |
Vaer Parunthoan Mundruvan |
|
c.1455 BC |
Udhan Kaththan |
|
c.1440 BC |
Kaariko Sunthuvan |
|
c.1396 BC |
Vendri Nungunan |
|
c.1376 BC |
Mondhuvan Vendhi |
|
c.1359 BC |
Kaandhaman |
|
c.1337 BC |
Mundruvan Vendhi |
|
c.1297 BC |
Kaandhaman |
|
c.1276 BC |
Monjuvan Vendhi |
|
c.1259 BC |
Ani Sembiyan |
|
c.1245 BC |
Nungunan Vendhi |
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c.1229 BC |
Maarkop Perum Cenni |
|
c.1180 BC |
Monjuvan Nanvendhi |
|
c.1170 BC |
Kop Perunar Chenni |
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c.1145 BC |
Monthuvan Jembiyan |
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c.1105 BC |
Narchenni |
|
c.1095 BC |
Caet Chembiyan |
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c.1060 BC |
Nakkar Chenni |
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c.1045 BC |
Parun Jembiyan |
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c.998 BC |
Venjenni |
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c.989 BC |
Musugunthan |
|
c.960 BC |
Maarkop Perun Jembiyan |
|
c.935 BC |
Nedunjenni |
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c.915 BC |
Thatchembiyan |
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c.895 BC |
Ambalaththu Iruvaer Chembiyan |
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c.865 BC |
Kaariko Chenni |
|
c.830 BC |
Venvaer Chenni |
|
c.788 BC |
Kaandhaman |
|
c.721 BC |
Kaandhalan |
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c.698 BC |
Caetchenni |
|
c.680 BC |
Vani Nungunan |
|
c.640 BC |
Mudhu Sembiyan Vendhi |
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c.615 BC |
Peelan Jembiyach Chozhiyan |
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c.590 BC |
Maeyan Gadungo |
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c.570 BC |
Thiththan |
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c.515 BC |
Perunar Killi Porvaiko |
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c.496 BC |
Kadu Mundruvan |
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c.495 BC |
Kopperunjozhan |
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c.480 BC |
Narkilli Mudiththalai |
|
c.465 BC |
Thevvan Go Chozhan |
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c.455 BC |
Naran Jembiyan |
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c.440 BC |
Nakkam Peela Valavan |
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c.410 BC |
Iniyan Thevvan Jenni |
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c.395 BC |
Varcembiyan |
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c.386 BC |
Nedun Jembiyan |
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c.345 BC |
Nakkan Aran Jozhan |
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c.330 BC |
Ambalathu Irungoch Chenni |
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c.316 BC |
Perunar Killi |
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c.286 BC |
Kochaet Cenni |
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c.275 BC |
Cerupazhi Erinda Ilanjaetcenni |
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c.220 BC |
Nedungop Perunkilli |
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c.205 BC |
Cenni Ellagan |
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c.165 BC |
Perun Gilli |
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c.140 BC |
Kopperun Jozhiyav Ilanjaetcenni |
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c.120 BC |
Perunar Killi Mudiththalai Ko |
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c.100 BC |
Perumpoot Cenni |
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c.100 BC |
Ilam Perunjenni |
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c.70 BC |
Perungilli Vendhi / Karikaalan I |
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c.35 BC |
Nedumudi Killi |
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c.20 BC |
Ilavanthigaipalli Thunjiya Maei Nalangilli Caet Cenni |
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c.15 BC |
Aai Vaenalangilli |
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c.AD 10 - 16 |
Uruvapakraer Ilanjaetcenni |
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16 - 30 |
The kingdom is ruled by a series of Uraiyur chieftains. |
c.31 |
Karikaalan II Peruvalaththaan |
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c.99 |
Vaer Paqradakkai Perunar Killi |
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c.99 |
Perun Thiru Mavalavan, Kuraapalli Thunjiya |
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c.111 |
Nalangilli |
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c.120 |
Perunarkilli , Kula Mutrtraththu Thunjiya |
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c.143 |
Perunarkilli, Irasasuya Vaetta |
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c.192 |
Vael kadunkilli |
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c.220 |
Kochenganaan |
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c.245 |
Nalluruththiran |
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Genealogy from Chola Inscriptions
This list is the genealogy of the Chola family as conveyed by the
Thiruvalangadu copperplate grant and consists of names that are mostly
mythological. However, some of the names at least display a strong
Indo-European connection
at a time in which the last of the Indo-European migratory groups were
settling down. The Mannaeans,
Medians,
and Persians
seem to have been amongst those last groups, having migrated through the
River Oxus region into eastern Iran. In fact, one of the names below,
Aryaman (shortly after around 1000 BC), is the source of the name 'Iran'.
This particular Aryaman was not the one who gave his name to that land, but
another Indo-European who also bore the name did just that.
The Cholas were looked upon as being descended from the Sun god. There is
a myth in which a Chola king (a contemporary of the sage, Agastya) brought
the River Kaveri to Earth. Then there is a story of Chola justice eulogised
in a story of the king, Manu, who sentenced his son to death for having
accidentally killed a calf. Chola benevolence is personified in a story
about King Shibi who rescued a dove from a hawk by giving his own flesh
to the hungry hawk. King Shibi was also called Sembiyan, a popular title
assumed by a number of Chola kings.
(Additional Information by Edward Dawson.) |
c.1100 BC? |
Manu |
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Ikshvaku |
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Vikukshi |
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Puranjaya |
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c.1000 BC |
Kakutstha |
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Kakshivat |
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Aryaman |
This name (held by a
Persian) was the source of
'Iran'. |
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Analapratapa |
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Vena |
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Prithu |
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Dhundhumara |
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Yuvanasva |
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Mandhatri |
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Muchukunda |
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c.800 BC? |
Valabha |
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Prithulaksha |
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Parthivachudamani |
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Dirghabahu |
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Chandrajit |
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Sankriti |
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Panchapa |
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Satyavrata |
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Rudrajit |
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Sibi |
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c.600 BC? |
Marutta |
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Dushyanta |
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Bharata |
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Cholavarman |
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Rajakesarivarman |
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Parakesarin |
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Chitraratha |
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Chitrasva |
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Chitradhanvan |
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Suraguru (Mrityujit) |
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c.400 BC? |
Chitraratha |
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Vyaghraketu |
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Narendrapati |
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Vasu (Uparichara) |
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Visvajit |
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Perunatkilli |
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fl c.270 BC |
Karikala |
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Kochchengannan |
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Early Cholas (Sangam Period)
c.301 BC - c.110 BC
The early Cholas are mentioned in the Sangam
literature. References to them occur in many places in the form of poems
and stories, but it is difficult to pinpoint them chronologically due to
the lack of firm dates. It could be the case that the dating is out by
several hundred years, especially as links with the early
Cheras would seem to
suggest first century AD dates for events surrounding their first few kings.
Many royal chroniclers have a habit of tracing lineages to mythical
characters which have no historical testimonials in order to establish a
rich pedigree.
The Anbil Plates give fifteen names before Vijayalaya Chola (of the
Chola Empire), including the genuinely
historical ones of Karikala, Perunarkilli and Kocengannan. The
Thiruvalangadu Plate names forty-four, and the Kanyakumari Plate almost
fifty-two kings (many of these are listed under
Prehistoric Cholas).
(Information by Stephen Barr, with additional information by Abhijit
Rajadhyaksha and from Chronology of the Tamils, K N Sivaraja Pillai,
from A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of
Vijayanagar, K A Nilakanta Sastri, and from Regents of Nations, Part
1, Peter Truhart (Antiquity Worldwide).) |
fl c.301 BC |
Ilamcetcenni |
Capital at Puhar. |
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Ilamcetcenni is said to be a contemporary of the
Magadhan king, Bindusara. He is credited
with defeating both
the Cheras, and the
Pandyas during their eclipse from power.
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The Darasuram Airavateswara Temple was built in Tanjore by
Rajaraja II (1150-1163)
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fl c.270 BC |
Karikala Chola |
Son. Defeated the
Cheras and
Pandyas. Won Ceylon as well. |
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Perumchottu is a contemporary of the great Chola, King
Karikala, but the dating for him conflicts badly with the apparent early years
AD dating for the Cheras
(circa 270 BC). This is a mismatch that at the moment cannot be
satisfactorily resolved (although the possibility is that the Chola dating
is inaccurate). After suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of the
Chola ruler in the Battle of Venni, Perumchottu commits suicide. |
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Nedunkilli |
Son. Involved in a civil war with his relative, Nalinkilli. |
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Killivalavan |
Son. |
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Killivalavan captures the
Chera capital, Karur, but he is defeated in battle by the
Pandyas.
Subsequently, he kills the Malainadu chief, Malayaman Tirumudikkari, in
battle. (Again, Chera chronology would seem to suggest that this event be
dated to the first century AD rather than the second century BC.)
Perhaps around the same time (and most likely within a few years), Ilam
Cheral Irumporai (Cheraman Kuddako of the 'northern' Irumporai Chera kings)
is described by Perunkundrur Kilar as the lord of the cities Tondi, Kongu,
and Puli. He defeats Perunchola Ilam Palaiyan Maran (seemingly of the
Cholas) and Vicci and destroys the five forts. |
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Kopperuncholan |
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Kopperuncholan is a poet and patronises the arts, literature
and poetry. His sons quarrel during his reign and, unable to resolve the
strife, he commits suicide by starving himself to death. |
fl c.120 BC |
Kocengannan / Koccenganan |
Defeated the Cheras
in battle. Built 70 Shiva temples. |
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Cheraman Kanaikkal Irumporai of the
Cheras marches against
Kocengannan, who defeats him at the Battle of the Ovur and takes him captive.
He is imprisoned at Kunavayil Kottam (Purananuru: 74). Poigaiyar, the Chera
court poet, sings Kalavali Narpattu in praise of Kocengannan to secure
his release, but the Chera king, feeling insulted when he is not given water
to quench his thirst, breathes his last before his release can be ordered. |
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Perunarkilli |
Powerful monarch. Performed the Rajasuya yagna after victories. |
c.110 BC? |
References to Chola kings in this period occur only in poetry and some
literary texts. There is no particular history as such, but some incidents
and acts are glorified by the poets. These references now fade out and the
Cholas return to obscurity in
India (perhaps
not coincidentally close to the same thing happening to the
Cheras). At about the same
time, the already-obscure Kalabhras invade Tamil country, displacing native
dynasties which probably include the Cholas.
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The kingdom of Bactria (shown in white) was at the height of its
power around 200-180 BC, with fresh conquests being made in the
south-east, encroaching into India just as the Mauryan empire was
on the verge of collapse, while around the northern and eastern
borders dwelt various tribes that would eventually contribute to
the downfall of the Greeks - the Sakas and Greater Yuezhi (click
or tap on map to view full sized)
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c.AD 560s |
Simhavishnu
reigns as king of the
Pallavas around this
time, beginning the Pallava revival that defeats the Kalabhras. He
recreates a strong Pallava kingdom by subduing many kings in the south
(such as the Cheras,
Cholas, the now reduced Kalabhras, and the
Pandyas.
His kingdom soon extends beyond Kanchi (as far as the River Kaveri).
Through his naval expeditions he subdues Malaya (Indo-China) and Ceylon
(Sri Lanka). |
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615 |
Pulakeshi II of the Badami
Chalukyas conquers
the eastern Deccan, taking
territory corresponding to the coastal districts of modern Andhra Pradesh
from the Vishnukundina kingdom, as well as territory from the
Pallavas. He appoints
his brother, Kubja Vishnuvardhana, as viceroy whilst also conquering the
Cheras and Cholas in the
south of India (according to inscriptions). The kingdoms of the south -
Cheras, Cholas, and Pallavas - subsequently team up to form a coalition
to defeat the Chalukyas, but that attempt ends in defeat. |
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642 |
Narsimhavarman I of the
Pallavas defeats the
Chalukyas under
Pulakeshi II and wrests back the territories lost by his father. He also
attacks and plunders Vatapi (Badami), the capital of the Chalukyas, killing
Pulakeshi II in the process. He later subdues the Cholas and the
Cheras
(suggesting that they have regained a semblance of independence), |
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c.650s |
The
Pallava king,
Narsimhavarman I, subdues the Cholas and the
Cheras as part of the
Pallava heritage as the successors and replacements to both Cholas and
Satvahanas. |
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734 |
The awaited Chalukya
invasion of Pallava
territory takes place, with Vikramaditya II occupying Kanchi. The Pallavas
soon recover, having to fight the Cholas,
Pandyas and
Gangas in quick
succession (with the Cheras
as allies at least against the Pandyas). The Cholas are clearly evident as
a major force once again, but their leadership appears to be unrecorded for
the space of another century. |
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Chola Empire
AD 848 - 1279
The Cholas revived their lost glory when Vijayalaya
Chola, a vassal of the
Pallavas, took bites
out of
Pandya territory, beginning a new chapter in Chola history. Vijayalaya
Chola and his descendents are now generally known as the medieval Cholas. |
848 - 871 |
Vijayalaya Chola |
Conquered Tanjore from Muttarayar, a
Pallava vassal. |
871 - 907 |
Aditya Chola I |
Son. |
885 |
After the death of Sthanu Ravivarman of the
Cheras, hostilities
break out between them and the Cholas, which continue until the disintegration
of the Chera kingdom. The
Pandyas of
Madurai also involve themselves in the conflict. |
891 |
Aparajita of the
Pallavas
tries to revive the the fortunes of his kingdom by defeating the
Pandyas
at the decisive Battle of Sri Purambiyam, with the help of the Cholas who are his
immediate vassals. In return for his help, the Chola king, Aditya, is
rewarded with territories, but this also sows the seeds of ambition in his
mind. After witnessing the Pallava weaknesses during the battle, in 891
Aditya kills the Pallava king and annexes Tondaimandalam. Then he conquers
Kongu country and the Western Gangas
become his vassals. This paves the way for Chola supremacy in southern
India. |
907 - 950 |
Parantaka Chola I |
Son. Died 953. |
c.910 - 920 |
Parantaka defeats the
Pandyas,
invades the Pandyan kingdom and earns himself the title Maduraikonda (the
one who captured Madurai). Rajasimha appeals to Kassapa V, the king of Ceylon,
for assistance, but even the combined forces of the Pandyas and the
Sinhalese are not able to keep the Cholas at bay and they suffer a huge
defeat in Vellur near Madurai. The Cholas rule Pandyan territory for the
next three hundred years.
 |
India of AD 900 was remarkably unchanged in terms of its general
distribution of the larger states - only the names had changed,
although now there was a good deal more fracturing and regional
rule by minor states or tribes (click or tap on map to view full sized)
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by 930 |
The Cholas rule the whole of southern
India from Pener to Cape Comorin
(except the western coast which is under the rule of the Keralas). |
949 |
Alarmed by the growth of Chola power, the
Rashtrakuta king Krishna III invades southern
India, conquers the
kingdom of the Western Gangas and defeats the Cholas at Takkolam, annexing Tondaimandalam. |
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Rajaditya |
Heir to the throne. Died 949. |
950 - 957 |
Gandaraditya |
Son of Parantaka Chola. |
956 - 957 |
Arinjaya |
Brother. |
957 - 970 |
Sundara Chola / Parantaka Chola II |
Son. |
c.960? |
The Chola domination of Tamil country begins in earnest during the reign
of Parantaka Chola II. Chola armies led by Aditya Karikala, son of Parantaka
Chola II, defeat Vira Pandya in battle. The
Pandyas are assisted by the Sinhalese (Sri Lankan) forces of Mahinda IV.
The Pandyas are driven out of their territories and have to seek refuge on
the island of Sri Lanka. This is the start of their long exile.
However, on a plus note, Tondaimandalam is recovered from the
Rashtrakutas. |
970 - 985 |
Uththama Chola |
Son of Gandaraditya. |
980 |
The Cholas, experiencing a minor succession crisis, are momentarily
weakened, and the
Western Chalukyan king, Tailapa II, claims victory in a battle against Uththama. |
985 - 1014 |
Rajaraja Chola I (the Great) |
Son of Sundara Chola. |
c.1000 - 1011 |
The Eastern Chalukyan king's
younger brother, Vimaladitya, flees the kingdom and takes refuge in the court
of Rajaraja I. Rajaraja invades Vengi on behalf of the sons of Danarnava, and
Jata Choda Bhima is killed in the ensuing war. The Vengi kingdom passes into
Rajaraja's hands, a fact that is not appreciated by King Satyasraya of the
restored Western
Chalukyas of Kalyani. As a result, Vengi becomes a bone of contention
between the Cholas and the Chalukyas of Kalyani. Vimaladitya strengthens
his alliance with Rajaraja by marrying Rani Kundavai, his daughter.
 |
Rajaraja constructed the Sri Brihadeswara temple dedicated to
nandi, the Bull
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Around the same time, Rajaraja captures Talakad and force the
Western Gangas
to accept their overlordship (AD 1004 is an alternative date for this event).
It is likely that the Ganga king, Neetimarga, is either killed during the
invasion or is removed at a later date, ending the greater Western Ganga
kingdom. The Cholas govern the region themselves for around a century. |
c.1008 - 1019 |
Between the start of his reign and this approximate date, the Cholas under
Rajaraja launch a series of campaigns against the
Cheras of Mahodyapuram.
Coming around from the north they attack the Chera capital and the city is
sacked. The Chera fort at Udagai (also at Mahodyapuram) falls during this
period. Another, more decisive battle takes place in 1019, when Rajendra
Chola surrounds the Chera capital and kills King Bhaskara Ravi Varman I in
the fighting. The Cheras also lose a number of generals and chieftains in
the battle, making it a heavy defeat. |
1012 - 1044 |
Rajendra Chola I |
Son. |
1021 - 1024 |
Vangaladesha witnesses a Chola invasion which probably disrupts the entire
region, including the kingdom of the
Chandras.
However, Rajendra Chola proves to be a great conqueror. He defeats the
dispossessed
Pandyas, the Cheras
(in 1019), the Eastern Chalukyas,
and several minor kings in Bengal,
and even humbles the mighty Pala
king, Mahipala. He also conquers and colonises Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, the Malayan
peninsula, and the
Eastern Gangas. He builds a new capital at Gangakodaicholapuram, which is
decorated with lavish temples (especially the Gangakodaicholiswaram Temple)
and palaces. |
1044 - 1053 |
Rajadhiraja Chola I |
Son. |
1053 |
Rajadhiraja Chola quells several rebellions by the
Pandyas, Cheras and the Ceylonese,
but loses his life in battle against the
Western Chalukyan king Someswara. However, the war itself is won due to the exploits the
king's brother Rajendra, who continues to battle against the Chalukyas. |
1053 - 1063 |
Rajendra Chola II |
Brother. |
1063 - 1070 |
Virarajendra Chola |
Son. |
1070 |
Adhirajendra |
Son. Driven out within a year by a relative who seizes the
throne. |
1070 |
Adhirajendra is set aside by Kulotunga, who has Chola blood but who is also
a member of the fast-fading
Eastern Chalukyas. During his
reign he repels attacks from the
Western Chalukyan
king, Vikramaditya VI (who supports Adhirajendra's cause). He also defeats
the Kalinga king,
Anantavarman Chodaganga. During his reign Ceylon becomes independent and after
his death, Vikramaditya VI captures Vengi. The
Hoysalas help in
driving the Cholas back beyond the River Kaveri, and free Mysore. |
1070 - 1118 |
Kulotunga I |
Relative. Contemporary of famous Tamil poet Ottakuttan. |
1073 - 1075 |
Almost as soon as the weakened
Eastern Chalukyan
kingdom has been restored, it is invaded by the
Chedi king
of Dahala, Yasahkarnadeva. The kingdom is extinguished in 1075 and it seems
that much of its territory is absorbed by the Cholas for a time. |
1088 - 1099 |
The
Western Chalukyas conquer major portions of the former
Eastern Chalukyan kingdom,
taking them
from the Cholas until the latter manage to retake the areas in 1099. |
1102 |
A far
more devastating phase of the long conflict begins between Cholas and
Cheras. The Chera
capital at Mahodyapuram is burnt down and destroyed, and the Chera king
shifts his capital southwards to Kollam (Quilon, a port city in Kerala). He
defeats the Cholas but is not able to regain his already-fractured kingdom
thanks to his enmity with the local Brahmins. His kingdom is now restricted
to South Kerala, where it also becomes known as Venad, and his followers as
the Cheras of Venadu. Internecine quarrelling further weakens the state, so
the Rama Varma abdicates the throne and soon dies. |
1118 - 1135 |
Vikrama Chola |
Son. |
1118 - c.1130 |
Vikrama
Chola reconquers Vengi by defeating Someswara III, the
Western Chalukyan
king. He also recovers Gangavadi from the
Hoysalas (the land
of the former Western
Gangas). However, the Chalukyas again manage to recapture the
Eastern Chalukyan lands and
hold onto them until around 1130, when the Cholas apparently absorb them
permanently. |
1135 - 1150 |
Kulothunga Chola II |
Son. |
1150 - 1163 |
Rajaraja Chola II |
Son. Built the Airavateswara Temple at Darasuram. |
1163 - 1178 |
Rajadhiraja Chola II |
Son. |
1178 - 1218 |
Kulotunga Chola III / Kulothunga |
Son. Contemporary of famous Tamil writer Kamban. |
c.1188 - 1189 |
The
Yadava king, Bhillama
V, extends the borders of his kingdom as far as Seringapatam on the River Kaveri, and defeats Kulotunga
III. Despite this, during his reign, Kulotunga Chola conquers Kalinga, Ilam
(Ceylon), Karur, and Kataha. |
c.1190 |
Vikkirama Pandyan gains the throne of Madurai with the help of Kulotunga.
It had been Kulotunga who had defeated a rebellion by Vira Pandyan III and
his Sinhalese allies and
on this occasion he rewards
Pandya cooperation by awarding the throne to Vikkirama Pandyan. |
c.1216 |
The
Pandyas sack the Chola cities of Thanjavur and Uraiyur and send the
Chola crown prince, Rajaraja Chola III, into exile. Kulotunga Chola III
appeals for aid for his son-in-law, approaching the
Hoysala
monarch, Veera Ballala II. Ballala sends an army under his son, Crown
Prince Vira Narasimha II. Under pressure from the Hoysala threat, Sundara
Pandyan agrees to restore the Chola kingdom to Kulotunga, but only after
the Cholas acknowledge his suzerainty. |
1218 - 1256 |
Rajaraja Chola III |
Son.
Pandya vassal. |
c.1240 - 1250 |
Rajaraja and Rajendra Chola III suffer setbacks against
their enemies, and the latter is even is held hostage by the Kadava
chieftain, Kopperunchinga, his own vassal. Eventually, the
Pandyas seize
the Chola capital. With the help of the
Hoysalas, the Chola king
defeats them, but the
Kakatiya king, Ganpati, occupies Kanchi in 1250 and weakens
the Cholas decisively. |
1256 - 1279 |
Rajendra Chola III |
Son.
Pandya vassal. |
1279 |
The Chola empire comes to an end when the
Pandyas avenge a previous defeat by completely destroying them and
establishing the second powerful Pandyan empire. They also defeat the
Cheras,
Hoysalas, and the
Kakatiyas.
Madurai, a region in southern
India,
is taken from the former Chola empire by the sultanate of
Delhi
and is turned into a minor vassal sultanate. The Kadava
dynasty, which later claims descent from the
Pallavas,
is also said to be instrumental in the destruction of the Cholas.
The Chola name survives in the form of the Telugu Chodas who later rule in
Renandu (in Cuddapah district) as vassals of the Pallavas,
Chalukyas, and
Rashtrakutas.
The Chola capital at Thanjavur is subsequently ruled by the Pandyas,
the Vijaynagar
empire, the Madurai Nayaks, and
the Thanjavur Nayaks, before the arrival of the
Marathas.
Previously conquered kingdoms such as the
Kadambas of
Bayalnad begin to
re-emerge. |
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