A brief historical survey on medieval Cholas and their

relations with the Cheras (Keralas) of the contemporary

period (A.D.801-A.D.1120)
Topic started by R.Sri Hari (@ modem62.bayrac.eureka.lk) on Tue Nov 6 12:58:39 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

A BRIEF HISTORICAL SURVEY ON

MEDIEVAL CHOLAS AND THEIR RELATIONS WITH THE CHERAS {KERALAS}
OF THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
{A.D.801 - A.D 1120}
Introduction
During the periods of the nineth and the tenth centuries, the Chera country was ruled by
three principal royal dynasties known as the Ayes, Venads and Kulasekaras from three
distinctive regions of Kerala (the Sanskritised version of Chera), and the kings of these
three dynasties and the other Chieftains ruling small regions of rest of the Kerala, all were
generally referred to as the Cheras or Keralas by the people of Chola & Pandiya countries
of this period.
The Aye dynasty were ruling a region covering from the present Nagerkoil of Tamil
Nadu the southern end of the Aye kingdom, upwards into Kerala to the present
Anjuthengu in the north of the present Thiruvananthapuram, and was known as Aye
Nadu. Their capital was at Vilignam a seaport city south of Thiruvananthapuram. The
Aye Nadu also included the Kanthalursalai - a military and Vedic studies acadamy and an
armoury centre of the Aye kings, and was located deep south beyond the Vilignam along
the sea coast closer to Nagerkoil the southern end of the Aye kingdom.
The Venad dynasty were ruling a region beyond Anjuthengu covering a region upto
Kottayam, known formally as Venadu and also as Kollam Desam with their capital at
Kollam (proper), also a seaport city on the west Kerala.
The Kulasekara dynasty were ruling a region of Kerala beyond Kottayam further north
upto and around the present region of Kolikkodu (Calicut) and known as Kudamalai
Nadu, with their capital at Mahodayapuram (Kodungolur) a seaport city also known as
Makothai, and a second interior capital known as Uthakai in the Kongu country of that
period (the present Udhagamandalam region of the Tamil Nadu, bordering the Kerala
also known as Udhagai), which was under their rule during this period.
Unlike the Aye and the Venad dynasty, the vast territory ruled by Kulasekara dynasty
covered many small regions called Nadus under different names, which were ruled by
the local Chieftans who accepted the authority of the Kulasekara dynasty, and ruled their
respective regions as subordinates to them.

The Chera kings from A.D.801 up to the advent of Vijayalaya Chola

Towards the beginning of the nineth century{i.e. A.D.801} a powerful Chera king known
as Kulasekaran {A.D.801-820} was ruling in Kudamalainadu of the Kerala country
covering the length of the Kolli - Malai (hills) regions in central and north Kerala, from
his capital at Mahodayapuram.
He has claimed for himself the titles Kolik-kon, Kudal-nayagan, Kongar Kon
confirming his authority over Koliyur (the Uraiyur of the Chola country), and Kudal (the
Madurai of the Pandiya country), and also over the Kongu country. It was probably
during this period the Uthahai became the second capital of the Kulasekara dynasty with
a member of the Kulasekara family appointed to rule over this region.
Kulasekaran was an ardent devotee of - Sri Rama (regarded as an incarnation of God
Vishnu), and hence the Vaishnavites of this period referred to him as Kulasekara Perumal
in reverence.
He made pilgrimages to Thiruvarangam (Sri Rangam) in Cholanadu, and Thiruvenkatam
(Thiruppathi) in Thondainadu - among others, and has composed a set of hyms - in Tamil
in praise of God Vishnu named as "Perumal Thirumoli", and in Sanskrit named as
"Muhunda Mala". He abdicated the Chera throne to lead a holy life and was venerated as
one of the twelve great Tamil Vaishnava Saints, known as the Kulasekara Alvar.
The Chera king Kulasekaran had a son by the name Rajasekaran. With the abdication of
Kulasekara from Chera throne, his son Rajasekaran{A.D.820-844} became the king of
the Chera country. He was also known by the name Cheraman Perumal and unlike his
father was an ardent devotee of God Siva.
Rajasekaran while ruling the Chera country from Mahodayapuram spent most of his time
in religious activities and in meditation at the Siva Temple in Thiruvanjaikkalam at
Kodungolur (Mahodayapuram) in the Kerala country. It was during this time one of the
great Tamil Saiva Saint of Tamil Nadu - the Sundaramurthi Nayanar made a pilgrimage
to the Thiruvarur Temple in the Chola country. The Chera king Rajasekaran with utmost
desire to meet this great Tamil Saiva Saint, also went to Thiruvarur at this same time.
Here with the blessings of God Siva of Thiruvarur the Chera king composed hyms in
Tamil in his praise known as "Mummanikkovai". From there he went along with the
Tamil Saint Sundarmurthi Nayanar to the Siva shrine at Vedaranniyam in the Chola
country and other Siva Shrines all over the Pandiya country. He composed further hyms
in Tamil in praise of God Siva known as "Ponnvanna Anthathi" and "Thirukkalyana
Gnana Ulla" and became to be known and venerated as Cheraman Perumal Nayanar. All
the above hyms composed by him have been included in the eleventh Thirumurai
(Thirumurais are a collection of the sacred hyms in Tamil, sung on God Siva by various
Tamil Saiva Saints of TamilNadu and few from the Kerala State).
Finally at the eager request of the Cheraman Perumal Nayanar the Tamil Saiva Saint

Sundaramurthi Nayanar opted to visit the palace of this Chera king at his capital city of
Mahodaiyapuram in the Chera country travelling through Kongunadu the present
Udagamandalam (Udagai) region of TamilNadu.
While being here in A.D.844 the Saint Sundaramurthi Nayanar died. Unable to bear the
grief of the death of this great Saint, the Cheraman Perumal Nayanar too met his death
soon thereafter in the same year.
It was during the period of the Chera king Kulasekaran and partly during the period of the
Chera king Rajasekaran, the great Saiva Saint of Chera (Kerala) country namely the
Sankaracharya who founded the Advaita doctrine lived in Kerala.
It also appears the Tamil Saiva Saint known as Venattu Adigal from Venad in the Chera
country though not classified under the sixty-three Tamil Saiva Saints of Tamil Nadu, the
hyms composed by him named Thiruvisaippa on God Siva of Chidambaram in Chola
country, has been included in the nineth Thirumurai. It appears the Venattu Adigal lived
during a period after the Tamil Saiva Saint the Sundaramurthi Nayanar.
The Chera king Rajasekara alias Cheraman Perumal Nayanar was followed by his son the
king Sthanu Ravi alias Ravi Varma Kulasekaran (alias Ko-Kandan) (A.D.844 - 885) on
the Chera throne at Mahodayapuram. Sthanu Ravi too was a Saivite like his father. He
had a daughter by the name Kilanadigal who married king Vijayaragadeva from another
Chera royal family ruling a part of Kerala.
It was only towards this time - the mid nineth century A.D, the Chola dynasty emerged
more into limelight, after a long spell in partial or total obscurity in the political scene of
Tamil Nadu for nearly six centuries.
Period of Vijayalaya Chola {A.D.848-881}
The first among this line of medieval Cholas who came into prominance was the king
Vijayalaya Chola {A.D.848-881}, who ruled the Chola country from Thanjavur.
It appears that the Chera kings of this period, had very friendly relations with the Chola
country. The Sthanu Ravi and his daughter both being of Saivite faith, and with the
prevailing good relations that existed with the Chola country, had made their
endowments to the Siva temples in the Chola country
In the year A.D.849 during the rule of the Chera king Sthanu Ravi also known as Ravi
Varma Tribuvanachakravarti Kulasekaradeva, the villagers of the Chalukkipparu has
gifted a village named Satanur in the Thondainadu to the temple of Siva named as
Tiruayanisuramudaiya Nayanar.
The Chera Queen Kilanadigal provided gold for a lamp at the temple of Thiruvannamalai
in Thondaimanadu (adjacent to Chola country) in the year A.D..851. The Chera king
(Ko)Kandan Ravi alias Sthanu Ravi also gifted land for lighting lamp at the temple at

Kuttalam in Pandiyanadu in the year in the year A.D.870.

Period of Athiththa Chola {A.D.871-907}
In the year A.D.881 with the demise of Vijayalaya Chola his son Athiththa Chola
{A.D.871-907} succeeded on the Chola throne, who was a co-regent of Vijayalaya from
A.D.871. During the period of his rule the Athitha Chola waged war on Kongunadu
assisted by the Chera king Sthanu Ravi, and captured it from the Pandiyan king.
A general named Vikki Annan the chieftan of Kodumbalur was greatly instrumental in
winning this war by the Cholas, and was rewarded jointly by the Chola & Chera kings
with a crown, palace, elephants, royal palanquin, drum and the given the title "Sembiyan
Thamil Verl".
Towards the middle of Athitha Cholas rule the Chera king Sthani Ravi died and was
followed by Rama Varma Kulasekara{A.D.885-917} on the Chera throne.
During this time the Pandiya king Paranthaha Vira Narayanan (A.D.860-905) married a
Chera Princes named Vanavan Mathevi, and to them was born the Pandiyan king named
Rajasimhan-2 (A.D.900-920).
Period of Paranthaha Chola{A.D.907-953}
Athitha Chola was succeeded by his son Paranthaha Chola (A.D.907-953) on the Chola
throne. He married Udaiya Pirattiyar Kokkilan Adigal daughter of the Chera king Rama
Varma of Kulasekara dynasty. He also married the daughter of another Chera king
Paluvettaraiyar Kandan Amuthan named Arumoli Nangai ruling from west Paluvur of the
present Tirutchirappalli in Tamil Nadu bordering Kerala. He had a further queen by the
name Villavan Mathevi probably the daughter of the Venad King of the Chera country,
who refer themselves as Villavar.
Paranthaha Chola-1 had an elder son by Kokilanadigal named Rajathithya, a second son
by the name Gandarathitha and a younger son by Arulmoli Nangai named Arinjayan.
A native of Nandikkaraiputtur in Kerala Country named Velankumaran was the general
of the Chola Prince Rajathithya. However the Prince Rajaditya died very young in a war
in Thondainadu.
Paranthaha Chola with the intention of annexing the Pandiyanadu waged war with
Pandiya king Rajasimhan-2. In this war the Chera king Rama Varma Kulasekara assisted
Paranthaha.
Rajasimhan-2 was defeated and went to Sri Lanka, and with the assistance of the king of
Sri Lanka fought back with Paranthaha and his allies namely the Pallavas and the Chera
king Ranma Varma at Thirupurambiyam. But he was defeated and again took refuge in
Sri Lanka.

As Rajasimhan didnot receive further assistance from the Sri Lankan king for a second
expedition in regaining his throne, returned to the Chera Country of his mother.
The matrimonial alliance of Paranthaha Chola with the foremost among the royal families
of Kerala country namely the Kulasekara dynasty, paved way for the friendly relations
that existed beteween these two countries to increase many folds. During this period there
seems to have been an inflow of people from Chera country to the Chola country, some
of whom even worked for the Chola king.
The Kokkilan Adigal daughter of this Chera king (and the queen of Paranthaha Chola)
the has provided gold for expenses for lighting lamps at the temple at Lalgudi in
Cholanadu in the year A.D.923.
In this same year of A.D.923 Alala-arisilar Kumaran a native of the Kodungolur
(Mahodayapuram) of (Kuda)Malainadu of Kerala country gifted gold for lampstand at
the temple Thirunallakuntram in Kudumiyam\nmalai in Cholanadu
In this same year another native also from Kodungolur of Malainadu gifted gold for a
lamp at the temple at Kudumiyanmalai in Cholanadu.
In the year A.D.926 queen Kokkilan Adigal has provided gold for lighting lamps at the
temple at Thiruvidaimaruthur in Thanjavur.
She also ordered the construction of a stone temple named Thiruththondiswarem at
Thirunavalur in Chola country. During her time a tank has been constructed near
Tribuwani (near present Pondicherry) and named after her as Kokkilanadi-pereri in Chola
country.
There has been a native of the Chera country known as Kerala Kurumban given a high
office in the Chola kingdom by Paranthaha Chola with the title Parakesari Mevenda
Velar whose wife made gifts to the the temple as Tiruvottriyur in the year A.D.927.
In the year A.D 936 Ravi Nili the daughter of Chera king Vijayaragadevar (who was
inturn the Son-in Law of earlier Chera king Sthanu Ravi) provided thirty kalanju (a
measure) of gold for lighting lamp to the Mahadeva at the temple of Thiruvottriyur in
Thondainadu which was under Chola rule.
Another native of Kodungolur (Mahodayapuram) of Malainadu (Kudamalainadu) in
Kerala country in the year A.D.936 donated a lamp to the temple at Thiruchanur in
Thondaimandalam.
In the year A.D.943 the Kerala general Velankumaran of Prince Rajathithya (eldest son
of Paranthaha Chola) built a stone temple to Arruttali Mahadeva at Mudiyur on the
Pennar river in Thondaimandalam.

Sheep for maintaing lamp was given to the temple at Thirumalpuram in Thondainadu by
Puvan Maran a native of Nediyatali of Kodungolur (Mahodayapuram) in the Kerala
country in the year A.D.948.
Another native of Kodungolur in Malainadu donated lands to the presiding God Perumal
at the Thiruvenkadu temple in Thanjavur A.D.952
Towards this time with the demise of the Chera king Rama Varma, the king Kothai Ravi
Varma{A.D.917-947} succeeded on the Chera throne at Mahodayapuram the capital of
Kudamalainadu in Kerala country.
After thirty years of rule Kothai Ravi Varma was followed by Indukotha Varma{A.D.
944-962} on the Chera throne at Mahodayapuram.
Period of Gandarathitha Chola {A.D.950-957}
After Paranthaha-1, his second son of Gandarathithya Chola (A.D..950-957) ascended the
Chola throne after being a co-regent with Paranthaha Chola from A.D.953. Though he
was the Chola king his thoughts were always around God Siva leading a more religious
life, and with his blessings have composed religious hyms in Tamil known as
Thiruvisaippa which have been included in the nineth Thirumurai.)
Period of Arinjaya Chola {A.D.956-957}
He was followed by Arinjaya Chola (A.D.956-957) who succeeded to the Chola throne.
He too married the daughter of the Chera king the Indukothai Ravi Varma named
Athithan Kothai Piratiyar.
Period of Sundera Chola {A.D. 957-970}
With the premature death of Arinjaya Chola his son the Sundera Chola ascended the
Chola throne. He married the daughter of the Malaiyaman king of Thirukkovalur in
Thondainadu named Udaya Piratiyar Thambiranadigal Vanavanmatheviyar alias
Thiribhuvanamatheviyar and also Paranthahan Theviammanar daughter of a Chera king ,
and to the former was born the great Chola king RajaRaja-1.
During this period the Chera king Indukotha Varma was succeeded by Bhaskara Ravi
Varma -1{A.D.962-1019} at Mahodayapuram. Baskara Ravi Varma - 2{A.D.979-1014}
appears to have assisted Bhakara Ravi Varma 1 in ruling his vast Chera empire which
stretched from the present Calicut to Tiruvanandapuram region encompassing the
Kudamalainadu, Kongunadu and Venad, as his co-regent probably from Uthahai in the
Kongu region which was under the Chera rule during this period.
Period of Uthama Chola {A.D. 970-985}
After the demise of Sundera Chola his son Rajaraja 1 was the legitimate heir to the

Chola throne, but he whole heartedly gave way to Uthama Chola (A.D.970-985) the son
of Gandarathitha Chola being his paternal uncle to rule for some period.
Uthama Chola had among others, a queen named Panchavanmatheviyar who was the
daughter of the Chera king Paluvettaraiyar known as Kandan Sundera Cholan.
Period of Rajaraja Chola 1 {A.D.985-1014}
Uthama Chola died in the year A.D.985, and was succeeded by the heir apparent Rajaraja
Chola-1{A.D.985-1014} on the Chola throne.
Rajaraja Chola - 1 too married a daughter of the Malaiyaman king of Tirukkovalur in
Thondainadu named Vanavanmathevi, who was also as Thiribhuvanamadevi.
One of his other queens was Villavanmathevi the daughter of the king of Venadu of
Chera country. He also had a queen known as Panchavanmathevi who was the daughter
of Paluvettaraiyar Kandan Maravan the Chera king of Paluvur on the west of
Thirutchirappalli bordering Kerala state. It was to this Vanavanmadevi the greatest
emperor in the Chola history namely the Rajendra Chola 1 was born.
With the accession of Rajaraja Chola-1 on the Chola throne and with his imperialistic
ambitions over South India, found that it was necessary initially to overcome the
powerfull Cheras.
During the rule of Rajaraja-1 and the earlier Chola kings the Aye dynasty of the Chera
country over period of time had built up a military and Vedic acadamy and an arsenal
centre at Kandalur Salai which was located south of Thiruvananthapuram, and produced
great trained warriors.
Rajaraja Chola-1 realised the destruction of the supply lines of these trained warriors and
armoury to the Aye kings of Chera(Kerala) country and to their Pandiyan ally namely
Amarabujangan, was an absolute necessity initialy in order to win the southern region of
the Chera and Pandiya countries ruled by these two powerfull kings.
Rajaraja-1 waged war on the Kandalursalai for th first time in A.D.988, and it appears he
only partly destroyed this military acadamy. But it appears the Cheras reinstated their
positions again in Kandalursalai and continued with the functions of their military
acadamy and arsenal centre.
This made Rajaraja Chola-1 to wage war again on Kandalursali in the year A.D.995, and
effectively destroyed the Kandalursalai military acadamy and arsenal centre, and defeated
the ruling Aye king of Kerala country and captured his capital the seaport city of
Vilignam.
The Aye Kingdom comprised of Nanchilnadu & Valluvanadu. The Rajaraja Chola after
his capture of Aye kingdom re-named a village called Muttam in Valluvanadu into

Mummudicholanallur a subdivision of Rajarja Tennadu (Aye Nadu).

Here to the temple known as Tirunandikkarai he donated grants in the year A.D.1003 and
ordered in the month of Iyppasi (October/November) a festival to be celebrated ending on
the day of Sadaya nakshaththiram (his birth star), on which day the image of the God at
the temple of Tirunandiikkarai was to be bathed in the river and a perpetual lamp named
Rajarajan to be lit every day.
He now turned his attention on his conquest of the territories in the Karnataka country,
Kudamalainadu, and the Kongu region of the present Tamilnadu. Chola king Rajaraja-1
thereafter sent an ambassador to the co-regent of the king Baskara Ravi Varma-1 of
Mahodai ruling from Uthahai (present Udhagamandalam also known as Udagai), namely
Baskara Ravi Varma 2 probably a member from the family of Kulasekaras, requesting
him to submit to Chola suzerainty and to pay tributes.
The Chola ambassador was humilated by the Chera co-regent of Uthahai and was put to
prison at Uthahai, which enraged Rajaraja Chola-1 who sent a large expedition to Uthahai
probably in the year A.D.1014 which was destroyed and the city was captured and it
appears Baskara Ravi Varma 2 met his death and Kongunadu was controlled by Cholas.
The Chola forces further moved into the Kudamalainadu the north and central regions of
Kerala state and defeated Baskara Ravivarman Thiruvadi (Baskara Ravi Varaman 1)
the ruling king of the Kulasekara dynasty, and captured his capital Mahadayapuram
(Kodungolur). It appears Baskara Ravi Varman 1 too accepted the Chola suzerainty and
continued to rule from Mahodayapuram in the Kerala country paying tributes. This
brought all the territories of Chera country ruled by the other chieftans which were under
Baskara Ravi Varman - 1 too to accept the Chola supremacy.
The Chola forces moved further into the Venad territory (Kolladesam) and captured the
the region along with its seaport capital the Kollam(proper), which were at this time ruled
by the chieftain Govardhana Marttanda appointed by king Baskara Ravi Varman 1 of
the Mahodayapuram in Kudamalainadu.
Period of Rajendra Chola 1 {A.D.1012 1044}
Rajaraja Chola 1 died in the year A.D.1014 and was succeeeded by his son Rajendra
Chola 1 on the chola throne after being a co-regent with Rajaraja Chola from A.D1012.
During the period of Rajendra Chola 1, in the year A.D.1019, with the agitation for
freedom by the king Baskara Ravi Varman - 1 of Kerala, he sent a war expedition under
the leadership of his second son Manukulakesari to Kudamalainadu in the Chera country
who defeated the Chera King Baskara Ravi Varma 1 captured his capital Mahothai and
secured his crown, diadem and an island called Santhimathivu belonging to the Kerala
king beyond Kerala in Arabic sea. In this war Baskara Ravi Varman - 1 met his death.
With the his securing of the Chera crown the Rajendra Chola 1 assumed the new title as

Mudikonda Cholan. Rajendra Chola 1 gave the title Chola Keralan to his second son
Manukulakesari and appointed him as the chola viceroy to rule the captured Kudamalai
Nadu of the Kerala country.
However with the necessaity of he having to lead a war expedition with eastern
Chalukiya king, he was recalled back from Chera country in the year A.D.1021, while
appointing the Chera king Veera Keralan{A.D1021-1028} son of Baskara Ravi Varman
to rule on accepting the Chola suzerainty.
Manululakesari met his death at the Chola-Chalukya war, and his father Rajendra Chola
in his memory built a temple at Jayamaliswarem in A.D.1023 and built a Salai for
providing food named as Chola-Keralan Chalai and for revenue for its expenses gifted a
village named Chola-Kerala Nallur.
Rajendra Chola 1 in memory of his mother after her death made a statue of herself and
installed at the temple known as Sembianmathevi at Nagapattinam and made
arrangements for its worship. In Sri Lanka too at Polonnaruwa Rajendra Chola built a
temple by the name Vanavanmathevi Iswarem in her memory.
Rajendra Chila 1 had a queen named as Panchavanmathevi daughter of the Chera king
Paluvettariyar and another by the name Vananvanmadevi daughter of the king
Malaiyaman of Kovalur.
Rajendra Chola built a new imperial capital named as Gangaikondasolapuram west of
present Chidambaram and there he built his new royal palace and named it as Keralan
Maligai commemorating his victory over Kerala kings.
Period of Rajadiraja Chola 1 {A.D.1018-1054}
With the death of Rajendra Chola 1 in A.D.1044 his eldest son the Rajadhiraja Chola
1 {A.D.1018-1054} who had been a co-regent of Rajendra Chola since A.D.1018
succeeded on the Chola throne. When he ascended the throne among the countries that
were still under the Chola control, was the Mahodayapuram of the Kerala country.
During this period the Chera kings of the Kulasekara dynasty at Mahodai and of Venadu
were agitating to get their freedom. Rajadhiraja 1 to contain these agitations sent forces
which first proceeded to Mahodayapuram and defeated the Chera king Veera Keralan in
A.D.1028, who was put to death by his elephant Atthivaranam.
He appointed Rajasimhan{1028-1043} the son of Vira Kerala as the Chera King on he
having accepted the Chola suzerainty, who continued to rule from Mahodai paying
tributes to Cholas, and had friendly relations with them for some time.
This fact is surmised from the fact that the Gopalaswami Temple at Mannar Kovil in
Tirunelveli pandiya was built by the Chera king Rajasimha, but was named by him as
Rajendra Chola Vinnagar. Rajendra Chola too has made a grant of land to this temple in

A.D.1042
Further in the 14th year of the Sunder Chola Pandiya devar at Mannar Koyil in Tinnelveli
the Seralan Madeviyar Adicchi queen of the Chera king Rajasimhadevar made some
donations to this Rajendra Chola Vinnagar Alvar.
Again in Venad the new king of Govardhana Marthanda started agitating for freedom
assisted by the chieftain known as Ramakuda Muvar of the region Koovaham also of
Kerala. Rajadiraja sent an expedition to Venad where its king was defeated and escaped
from his kingdom to the jungles along with the king of Koovakam, and Rajadhirajas
forces further destroyed the military acadamy and arms centre that became active again at
Kanthalur Sala,i and attacked and defeated Vilignam which revived its efforts under Aye
kings to become independent, and was renamed as Rajendra Cholapattinam.
However it appears the king of Venad continued to rule accepting the suzerainty of the
Cholas, and agreeing to pay tributes. Rajasimha was followed by Bhaskara Ravi 3
{A.D.1043-1082} on the Chera throne.
Period of Rajendra 2 {A.D.1051-1063}
In the year A.D.1054 Rajadiraja Chola 1 died in the battle field at Koppam. Immediately
his younger brother Rajendra Chola 2{A.D.1051-1063} who was the co-regent with
Rajadhiraja Chola 1 from A.D.1051, crowned as the next Chola in the battle field itself
and continued with the war with success to Cholas.
During this period one of his sons was given the title Chola Keralan in memory of his
elder brother Manukulakesari who bore the same title as Chola Keralan.
Period of Virarajendra {A.D.1063-1070}
With the demise of Rajendra 2, Virarajendra Chola{A.D.1063-1070} was crowned as
the next king of the Chola empire. On he ascending the Chola throne, again the Cheras at
Venad and Mahodayaouram started agiatating to free themselves from the Chola fold.
Virarajendra first sent an expedition to Venad and killed the younger brother of the
Kerala king named Jananathan, while the king himself escaped from his country.
Later with the agitation also from the Chera king Bhaskara Ravi 2, it necessiated
Virarajendra Chola to go on a renewed war expedition to the great cities of the Chera
country namely the Uthahai and Mahodai with big elephant cavalry to suppress the
agitation. The Chera king in fear escaped with his family to safety. He defeating the
Chera country returned back with much tributes, elephants and maids.
Period of Adhirajendra {A.D1070-1073}
With the death of Virarajendra his son Adirajendra{A.D1070-1074} succeeded on the
Chola throne in A.D.1070, after being his co-regent from A.D1067. His period of rule

ended within a short period of few months due to illness.

During this period a Chera chieftain by the name Kerala Kesari Athirajathirajadever who
also bore the title Virakeralan ruling from Kongunadu have made donations to the
temple of Vishnu at Thirukkannapuram in Thanjavur region for lighting of lamps.
Period of Kulothtunga Chola {A.D1070-1120}
After the death of Adirajendra there has been a turmoil in the Chola country with no
direct male decendents in the line of the Rajaraja Chola 1 to succeed.
Eventually the great-grandson of Rajaraja Chola 1, namely Kulothtunga Chola 1
{A.D.1074-1120} became the rightful heir to the chola throne hailing from the female
decendents of Rajaraja in the year A.D.1074.
Taking opportunity of the turmoil in the Chola country the Chera kings at Aynad, Venad
and Kudamalainadu agitated to gain freedom from from the Chola kings.
Kulothtunga Chola - 1 in A.D.1081 waged war with the Cheras. He captured Vilignam,
Kanthalursalai including Kottaru north of Kumari all of Ayenadu. The Chera king agreed
to rule as a subordinate king and pay tributes. At Kottaru in south Kerala country he
stationd a nilappadai (ground force) known as Kottaru Nillapadai under the general
Araiyan Mathuranthahan alias Chola Keralarasan.
Kulothtunga Chola forces further moved to Mahodayapuram in Kudamalainadu in the
Kerala country and defeated the Chavar forces (suicide sqads) of Baskara Ravi Varma 3
who also met his death in this war in A.D.1082. He was succeeded by Ravi Rama Varma
{A.D.1082-1090} on the throne with his acceptance to pay tribute to Cholas.
He was followed by Rama Varma Kulasekara {A.D.1090 1102} at Mahodayapuram
throne. It appears some time after A.D.1090 Rama Varma Kulasekara with his powerful
Chavar forces defeated the Cholas and regained full power in Kudamalainadu. It seems
Kulothtunga Chola 1 didnot take any serious attempt to regain the lost territories of the
Kerala country.
It appears this was the ending point of 100 years of intermittant war between the Cholas
and the Cheras.
The Tamil Temple Inscriptions however mentions a few more Chola-Chera conflicts after
Kulothtunga 1 during the period of the remaing Cholas upto A.D.1250