Arinjaya Chola

Arinjaya Chola
அரிஞ்சய சோழன்
Parakesari
Reign 956–957 CE
Predecessor Gandaraditya
Successor Parantaka Chola II
Queen Kalyani
Viman Kundaviyar
Kodai Pirattiyar
Issue Parantaka Chola II (Sundara Chola)
Father Parantaka I
Born Unknown
Died 957 CE

Arinjaya Chola succeeded Gandaraditya Chola c. 956 CE. Arinjaya was the third son of Parantaka I and the younger brother of Gandarditya. Arunjaya seems to have ruled for a very short time.

Other names

Arinjaya is also referred to by the names Arikulakesari, Arikesari, or Arindama. His name is mentioned in some of Gandaraditya’s inscriptions as Alvar Arikulakesarideva.

Paucity of Information

There is some confusion regarding whether Arinjaya actually succeeded Gandaraditya. Some historians doubt whether Arinjaya ruled on his own right. There is little epigraphic evidence available to give us any concrete information on Arinjaya’s rule. What we know now is partly speculative and partly informed extrapolations of known facts.

Gandaraditya probably made his younger brother co-regent very early in his rule. It is also very probable that Gandaraditya did not have any heir until very late in his life. As a result he must have made Arinjaya heir apparent and paved the way for Arinjaya’s heirs to the line of succession to the Chola crown.

Death and Succession

Arinjaya died c. 957 in a place called Arrur. From an inscription found near Melpadi in north Tamil Nadu, we learn that Rajaraja Chola I erected a Siva temple called Arinjisvara as a tomb-shrine in memory of his grandfather Arinjaya who was also known as "Arrur tunjina devan". The exact location of this place is unknown.

Arinjaya was succeeded by his son Parantaka Chola II (Sundara Chola). Two of his wives Viman Kundaviyar and Kodai Pirattiyar seem to have survived him and made gifts to temples in Arinjaya's name during Parantaka II's reign.

References

Preceded by
Gandaraditya
Chola
956–957 CE
Succeeded by
Sundara Chola