Rajendra Chola I
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- "Rajendra Chola" redirects here. For Rajendra Chola II, see Rajendra Chola II.
 Rajendra Chola's Territories c. 1030 C.E. |
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| Reign | 1012 C.E. - 1044 C.E. |
| Title | Parakesari |
| Capital | Thanjavur Gangaikonda Cholapuram |
| Queen | Tribhuvana Mahadeviyar Mukkokilan Pancavan Madeviyar Viramadevi |
| Children | Rajadhiraja Chola I Rajendra Chola II Virarajendra Chola Arulmolinangayar Ammangadevi |
| Predecessor | Rajaraja Chola |
| Successor | Rajadhiraja Chola I |
| Father | Rajaraja Chola |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | 1044 C.E. |
Rajendra Chola I was the son of Rajaraja Chola I, the great Chola king of South India. He succeeded his father in 1014 C.E. as the Chola emperor. During his reign, he extended the influences of the already vast Chola empire up to the banks of the river Ganges in the north and across the ocean. Rajendra’s territories extended coastal Burma, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Maldives, conquered the kings of Srivijaya (Sumatra, Java and Malaya in South East Asia) and Pegu islands with his fleet of ships. He defeated Mahipala, the Pala king of Bengal and Bihar, and to commemorate his victory he built a new capital called Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Tamil Chola armies exacted tribute from Thailand and the Khmer kingdom of Cambodia. Rajendra was the first Indian king to take his armies overseas. He also built a temple for Siva at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, similar in design to the Tanjore Brihadisvara temple built by Rajaraja Chola.
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[edit] Co-regent
Rajaraja Chola I had made the crown prince Rajendra Co Regent in 1012C.E. Both Son and Father reigned as equals during the final few years of Rajaraja’s life. Rajendra was at the forefront of some of Rajaraja’s campaigns such as those against Vengi and Kalinga towards the end of his reign.
[edit] Ascension and early reign
Rajendra formally ascended the Chola throne in 1014 C.E., two years after his installation as the Co Regent. Early in his reign in 1018 C.E. he installed his eldest son Rajadhiraja Chola I as ‘’yuvaraja’’ (Co Regent). Rajadhiraja continued to rule aside his father for the next 26 years. The son ruled in full regal status as the father. This practice was probably adapted initially to obviate disputed succession. The system of choosing a successor in the lifetime and associating him in the discharge of administrative duties is an important aspect of Chola administration. The princes who had come of age were appointed in various positions of authority in the different provinces of the empire according to the individuals to aptitude and talent. Those who distinguished themselves in these positions were then chosen as heir apparent. In some cases the eldest son was overlooked in favour of a more talented younger.
[edit] Military conquests
| List of Chola kings | |
|---|---|
| Early Cholas | |
| Ilamcetcenni | Karikala Chola |
| Nedunkilli | Nalankilli |
| Killivalavan | Kopperuncholan |
| Kocengannan | Perunarkilli |
| Interregnum - c 200-848 | |
| Medieval Cholas | |
| Vijayalaya Chola | 848-871(?) |
| Aditya I | 871-907 |
| Parantaka Chola I | 907-950 |
| Gandaraditya | 950-957 |
| Arinjaya Chola | 956-957 |
| Sundara Chola | 957-970 |
| Uttama Chola | 970-985 |
| Rajaraja Chola I | 985-1014 |
| Rajendra Chola I | 1012-1044 |
| Rajadhiraja Chola | 1018-1054 |
| Rajendra Chola II | 1051-1063 |
| Virarajendra Chola | 1063-1070 |
| Athirajendra Chola | 1067-1070 |
| Chalukya Cholas | |
| Kulothunga Chola I | 1070-1120 |
| Vikrama Chola | 1118-1135 |
| Kulothunga Chola II | 1133-1150 |
| Rajaraja Chola II | 1146-1163 |
| Rajadhiraja Chola II | 1163-1178 |
| Kulothunga Chola III | 1178-1218 |
| Rajaraja Chola III | 1216-1256 |
| Rajendra Chola III | 1246-1279 |
| Chola Society | |
| Chola Government | Chola Military |
| Chola Art | Chola Literature |
| Poompuhar | Urayur |
| Gangaikonda Cholapuram | Thanjavur |
| Telugu Cholas | |
| edit | |
[edit] Early campaigns
Rajendra’s inscriptions include the many campaigns he carried on behalf of Rajaraja from c. 1002 C.E. These include the conquest of the Rashtrakuta country and region around the current northwestern Karnataka state. Rajendra also led campaigns against the Western Chalukya Satyasraya and crossed the river Tungabhadra, carried the war into the heart of the Chalukya country and attacked their capital.
[edit] Invasion of Srilanka
To complete the task began by his father, of conquering the island of Srilanka, Rajendra invaded the island in 1018 C.E. As a results of the campaign Rajendra claimed to have captured the regal jewels of the Pandya kings, which Parantaka I tried in vain to capture. Rajendra also captured the crown of the sinhala king, his Queen and daughter. The Sinhala king Mahinda V was taken prisoner and transported to the Chola country. He was held prisoner for over twelve years and died in captivity. Mahavamsa gives a graphic illustration of the carnage wrought by the pillaging Chola army in the Sinhala country, claiming the invading army destroyed monasteries seeking treasure. Chola inscriptions however are silent regarding the details of this campaign and draws a veil over the pillage.
Mahinda’s son Kassapa became the centre of Sihalese resistance against the Tamil Power. The war between the Cholas and the Sinhalese raged for over six months in which a great number of Tamils were killed. At the end of the battle Kassapa managed to drive out the Chola army from the southeast corner of the island and ruled as Vikramabahu I.
Remains of a number of Hindu temples have been discovered around the Polonnaruwa area attesting to the presence of the Tamil army.
In 1041 C.E. Rajendra had to lead another expedition into Srilanka to quell the continuing attacks against the Chola army by Vikramabahu. Vikramabahu died soon after and anarchy reigned outside the Chola territories. An assortment of adventurers including Sinhalese, dispossessed Pandya princes and even a certain Jagaitpala from distance Kanauj asserted authority over portions of ht island. Chola army had to fight and defeat them all.
[edit] Pandyas and Keralas
Also in 1018 Rajendra made a triumphal march at the head of his army through the Pandya and Kerala countries. Rajendra’s Tiruvalangadu grants claim that he …’took possession of the bright spotless pearls, seeds of the fame of the Pandya kings’ and that ‘…the fearless Madurantaka (Rajendra) crossed the mountains and in a fierce battle brought ruin upon the Kerala kings. It is doubtful whether Rajendra added any additional territory to his empire through these campaigns as these have already been conquered by Rajaraja very early in his reign.
Rajendra appointed one of his sons as viceroy with the title Jadavarman Sundara Chola-Pandya’’’ with Madurai as the headquarters of the Viceroyalty.
[edit] Chalukyas Wars
C. 1021 Rajendra had to turn his attention towards the Western Chalukyas. In 1015 Jayasimha II became the Western Chalukya king. Soon after his ascension, he tried to recover the losses suffered by his predecessor Satyasraya in the hands of the Cholas. Initially he was successful as Rajendra was busy with his campaigns against the Pandyas and in Srilanka.
Jayasimha also decided to involve himself in the affairs of the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi. After the demise of the Vengi king Vimaladitya, Jayasimha threw his support behind Vijayaditya VII against the claims of Rajaraja Narendra, another of Vimaladitya’s sons by the Chola princess Kundavai. Rajendra naturally had his affinity towards Rajaraja, his nephew (for Kundavai was Rajendra’s sister). A civil war ensued between Vijayaditya and Rajaraja. However with the help of Rejendra, Rajraja Narendra was soon able to defeat the forces of Vijayaditya.
Rajendra’s forces met Jayasimha in the western front and defeated him in the battle of Maski. However Rajendra did not pursue Jayasimha beyond the southern banks of the Tungabhadra river.
Rajaraja Narendra had his long delayed coronation in Vengi after the return of the triumphant expedition to the Ganges in 1022 C.E. and Rajendra gave his daughter Ammanga in marriage to Rajaraja.
In 1031 C.E., the western Chalukyas invaded Vengi and drove Rajaraja Narendra into exile and installed Vijayaditya as the Vengi king. Rajaraja once again sought Chola help in regaining his throne. Chola army invaded the Vengi and in a bloody battle near Kalidandi, managed to push back Vijayaditya and his western Chalukya ally. Rajaraja Narendra managed to regain his throne in 1035 C.E.
[edit] Expedition to the Ganges
With both the Western and Eastern Chalukya fronts subdued, Rajendra’s armies undertook an extraordinary expedition. C. 1019 C.E. Rajendra’s forces continued to march through Kalinga to the river Ganges. The Emperor himself advanced up to the river Godavari to protect the rear of the expeditionary force. The Chola army eventually reach the Pala kingdom of Bengal where the met Mahipala and defeated him.
According to the Tiruvalangadu Plates , the campaign lasted less than two years in which many kingdoms of the north felt the might of the Chola army. The inscriptions further claim that Rajendra defeated ‘…the armies of Ranasura and entered the land of Dharmapala and subdued him and thereby he reached the Ganges and caused the water river to be brought by the conquered kings’ back to the Chola country.
There is nothing in this record of an audacious raid into the northern countries. In reality however this could not have been any more than a hurried raid across a vast stretch of country. It is quite possible that small successes were magnified into great victories and any reverses glossed over and the statement in the Tiruvalangadu plates that the water of the Ganges was carried to Rajendra by the defeated kings is nothing more than a boast without foundation. Discounting the embellishments attached to the expedition in the later inscriptions of Rajendra, historians today claim that this was nothing more than a pilgrimage to the Ganges, and that the aim from the outset was to bring the waters from the Ganges for the consecration of the new Capital rather than a permanent expansion of the empire. It was undoubtedly an exhibition of the power and might of the Chola empire to the northern kingdoms.[1]
[edit] Overseas conquests
Before the fourteenth year of Rejendra’s reign c. 1025, the Chola Navy crossed the ocean and attacked the Srivijaya kingdom of Sangrama Vijayatungavarman. Kadaram, the capital of the powerful maritime kingdom, was sacked and the king taken captive. Along with Kadaram, Pannai in present day Sumatra and Malaiyur in the Malayan peninsula were attacked.
Sangarama Vijayatungavarman was the son of Mara Vijayatungavarman of the Sailendra dynasty. Srivijaya kingdom was located near Palembang in Sumatra.
We can find no contemporary records to explain the nature of and the reason for this naval expedition. The Sailendra dynasty had been in good relations with the Chola Empire during the period of Rajaraja Chola I. Rajaraja encouraged Mara Vijayatungavarman to build the Chudamani Vihara at Nagapattinam. Rajendra confirmed this grant in the Anaimangalam grants showing that the relationship with Srivijaya was still continued be friendly. We have no knowledge of the exact cause of the quarrel that caused the naval war between Cholas and Srivijaya.
The Cholas had an active trade relationship with the eastern island. Moreover the Srivijaya kingdom and the South Indian empires were the intermediaries in the trade between China and the countries of the Western world. Both the Srivijaya and Cholas had active dialog with the Chinese and sent diplomatic missions to China.
The Chinese records of the Song Dynasty show that first mission to China from Chu-lien (Chola) reached that country in 1015 C.E. and the king of their country was Lo-ts’a-lo-ts’a (Rajaraja). Another embassy from Shi-lo-cha Yin-to-loChu-lo (Sri Raja Indra Chola) reached China in 1033 C.E. and a third in 1077 C.E. during Kulothunga Chola I. The commercial intercourse between Cholas and the Chinese were continuous and extensive.
One reason could be a trade dispute stemming from some attempts by Srivijaya to throw some obstacle between the flourishing trade between China and the Cholas. Whatever the actual cause of this expedition, it is difficult to believe that, even if we take all the achievements narrated in Rajendra’s inscriptions are accepted as literally true, the campaign led to any permanent territories rather than a vague acceptance of the Chola suzerainty by Srivijaya. Sangaram Vijayatungavarman was restored to the throne at his agreement to pay periodic tribute to Rajendra.
Tanjavur inscriptions also state that the king of Kambhoja (Kampuchea) requesting Rajendra’s help in defeating enemies of his Angkor kingdom.
[edit] Closing years
Rajendra’s long reign saw almost continuous campaigns and conflicts trying to hold his huge empire together. Rajendra’s sons carried out most of the campaigns during the late period of his reign. The emperor refrained from taking the field personally allowing his sons to win glory and distinction.
Rebellions in the Pandya and Kerala countries called for severe action and Rajadhiraja Chola I suppressed them. He also undertook a campaign in Sri Lanka to quell a rebellion instigated by Kassapa.
[edit] Gangaikonda Cholapuram
To commemorate his celebrated northern campaign to the Ganges, Rajendra assumed the title of Gangaikonda Chola and had the Siva Temple Gangakkondacholeswaram built. Soon after the capital was moved from Thanjavur to Gangaikondacholapuram. Rajendra probably founded the city of Gangaikondacholapuram before his 17th year.
Most of the Chola kings who succeeded Rajendra were crowned here. They retained it as their capital, reoriented and trained the efficient Chola army. It is not known whether the capital was moved to the new location for strategic purposes, as the old capital Thanjavur had very strong fortifications.
[edit] Rajendra’s legacy
The closing years of Rajendra forms the most splendid period of Cholas. The extent of the empire was the widest and the military and naval prestige was at its highest. The emperor was ably assisted by his sons and other members of his family. The Chola imperialism was a benevolent one attested by the presence of the traditional rulers in the Pandya and Kerala countries and the act of reinstating the Srivijaya king after his defeat.
[edit] Personal life and family
Rajendra had many queens. Some of them mentioned in inscriptions are Tribuvana or Vanvavn Mahadeviar, Mukkokila, Panchavan Mahadevi and Viramadevi who committed sati on Rajendra’s death.
Of his sons, three followed him on the Chola throne in succession. Rajadhiraja Chola, Rajendra Chola II and Virarajendra Chola of whom we do not know the identity of the Madurai viceroy Jatavarman Sundara Chola Pandya. Of Rajendra’s daughters we know of Arulmolinangayar and Ammangadevi who married Eastern Chalukya king Rajaraja Narendra and the mother of Kulothunga Chola I the first Chalykya Chola monarch.
[edit] Notes
- ^ See Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. (1935). The CōĻas, pp 209 - 212. Sastri bases his argument on the fact that these regions were not included in the inscriptions of his successors and on the lack of any epigraphical evidence in the 'conquered' regions.
[edit] References
- Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. (1935). The CōĻas, University of Madras, Madras (Reprinted 1984).
- Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. (1955). A History of South India, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002).
- South Indian Inscriptions - http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/
- http://www.lakdiva.org/coins/
