Rajaditya Chola

List of Chola kings
Early Cholas
Elara Chola  ·   235 BC – 161 BC
Ilamcetcenni  ·   Karikala Chola
Nedunkilli  ·  
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
Later Cholas
Kulothunga Chola I 1070–1120
Vikrama Chola 1118–1135
Kulothunga Chola II 1133–1150
Rajaraja Chola II 1146–1173
Rajadhiraja Chola II 1166–1178
Kulothunga Chola III 1178–1218
Rajaraja Chola III 1216–1256
Rajendra Chola III 1246–1279
Chola society
Chola government
Chola military  ·   Chola Navy
Chola art  ·   Chola literature
Solesvara Temples
Poompuhar  ·   Uraiyur
Melakadambur
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Thanjavur  ·   Telugu Cholas
edit

Rajaditya Chola was a 10th century monarch of the Chola empire. He was one of the sons of Parantaka Chola I.[1]

Death

The Rashtrakutas under Krishna III mounted multiple invasions into the Chola territories between 940 and 950 A.D. In order to ward of the attacks, Rajaditya stationed himself at Takkōlam along with his troops during the latter part of his reign.[2] Takkōlam is a town in Walajapet taluk of the North Arcot district, Tamil Nadu. It is six miles S.E of Arakonam junction.[3][4] In 949-950 A.D., Krishna III would once again mount an attack and Rajaditya would meet him at Takkōlam. Krishna III was aided by his Western Ganga feudatory Butuga II in this battle. The Atagur inscriptions of Krishna III and Butuga II reveal the details of how Rajaditya was treacherously murdered. Atakur or Atagur is a village about 15 miles N.E by E from Mandya , the head quarters of the Mandya taluk in Mysore district.[5] The Canarese inscription is in two parts; the principal portion belonging to Krishna III mentions the Saka date 872 (949-950 A.D) while the subsidiary belongs to Butuga II. Here is an excerpt:

“
Hail! While the samvatsara named Saumya, the eight hundred and seventy second (in) the centuries of years that have gone by from the time of the Saka king, was current:-
Hail! When Krishnaraja (III) having attacked the Mūvadi Chōla Rajāditya, and having fought and killed him in Takkōla.[6]
 ”

Mūvadi Chōla means thrice powerful similar to Irumudi Chola (twice powerful), Nūrmadi Chola(one hundred times more powerful). The subsidiary engraved on the same slab and belonging to Butuga II throws some more light on the incident:

“
Hail! While Butuga (II), having fought and killed Rachamalla, the son of the illustrious Ereyapa, was governing the ninety six thousand:-
..Butuga(II) while embracing Rajaditya, treacherously stabbed him with a dagger.[7]
 ”

Historian John Faithfull Fleet of Archaeological Survey of India (1894–1900) decisively says that pretended overtures of peace were made and that Rajaditya was stabbed at a meeting between him and Butuga.[7]

Notes

  1. ^ American journal of archaeology, Volume 7, page 112
  2. ^ Antiquities of India: an account of the history and culture of ancient Hindustan, page 69: Rashtrakuta Krishna III..was worsted at Takkolam by Rajaditya Chola
  3. ^ History of ancient India, page 461
  4. ^ Epigraphia Indica and record of the Archæological Survey of India, Volume 6, page 53
  5. ^ Epigraphia Indica and record of the Archæological Survey of India, Volume 6, page 52
  6. ^ Epigraphia Indica and record of the Archæological Survey of India, Volume 6, page 55
  7. ^ a b Epigraphia Indica and record of the Archæological Survey of India, Volume 6, page 57

References