Decline Of Cholas

 

One of the three strong dynasties that dominated the Tamizh nation early in its history was the Cholas. They were referred to as the Muvendhar in Sangam literature and were recognised for their bravery and support of the Tamil language. South India was dominated by the Chola dynasty from the ninth through the twelfth centuries. By the end of the twelfth century, local chiefs started to gain power, weakening the center. The once-dominant empire was relegated to the status of a dependent on the much more powerful Hoysalas as a result of numerous Pandya invasions. 

 

•    The ninth century saw the rise of the Chola Empire. They built up a strong navy, which gave them the advantage to take over Sri Lanka and the Maldives as well.

 

•    Even in Southeast Asian nations, it had an impact. The political landscape of southern India was transformed by the development of the Chola Empire.

 

•    The whole contemporary state of Tamil Nadu, along with adjacent regions of southern Karnataka and southern Andhra, were under the control of the Cholas for 400 years.

 

•    They first appeared in the region of Uraiyur, which is near the banks of the river Kaveri, in the middle of the ninth century, and quickly seized control of the entire Tamil-speaking region.

 

•    During the middle Ages, the Cholas had complete dominance and growth. Kings like Aditya I and Parantaka I ruled during this time.

 

•    From here, Rajaraj and Rajendra Chola extended the realm into Tamil Nadu.

 

•    Later, Kulottunga Chola seized control of Kalinga to impose a strict regime. Until the Pandyas arrived in the early 13th century, this magnificence persisted. 

 

•    Due to the incapacity of Rajendra Chola's heirs, the Vijayalaya line of Chola authority faded after his death.

 

•    Rajendra Chalukya, the emperor of the Eastern Chalukya, overthrew the Chola empire after Athirajendra died, establishing the Chalukya-Chola dynasty as Kulottunga I.

 

•    The Pandya region was no longer under Kulottunga's control, and the Cholas lost control of the Chola lands in Ceylon. The Telugu Cholas took control of Kanchipuram.

 

•    Rajendra Chola III, the final Chola king, was overthrown in 1279 by King Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I, who thereafter established the Pandya rule in modern-day Tamil Nadu.

 

•    The Chola Empire came to an end when Vikrama Chola (1120–1135), Kulottunga I's son, recaptured Vengi and took charge of a section of Gangavadi.

 

•    Despite famines and floods in the South Arcot, his citizens experienced a reasonably quiet reign.

 

•    Chola dominance was gradually consolidated under Hoysala rule. Kulottunga II, Rajaraja II, and Rajadhiraja III, the last Chola kings, were powerless to stop the Hoysalas from annexing the Chola Kingdom.

 

•    Already, the Cholas' control over the Pandyan realm was waning. Around 1243, the Pallava chief proclaimed his independence.

 

•    The Chola Empire was permanently destroyed when the Kakatiyas and Hoysalas divided its land among themselves.

 

•    All three of Vikrama Chola's immediate successors Kulottunga II (1133–47), Rajaraja II (1147–62), and Rajadhiraja II (1162–78) were cowards who watched as the Cholas' dominance steadily declined.

 

•    The kings of Ceylon, Kerala, and the Pandya kingdom bravely tried to divorce their (Chola) allegiance since the Hoysalas of Dvarasamudra had now become a key player in South Indian affairs.

 

•    Although Rajadhihiraja II eventually managed to overcome all resistance and resolve the succession in favor of his protege, Chola authority had fallen so low that the Ceylonese king dared to engage in Pandyan matters on behalf of one of its contenders to the throne.

 

•    We learnt that Kulottuhga III (about 1178–1216), the subsequent king, also had to contend with internal strife in the Pandya realm, and that he successfully marched to Madura, pushing back the growing tide of Ceylonese assaults in the peninsula.

 

•    The Chola dynasty's rule was drawing to an end despite these modest wins.

 

•    During the reign of Rajaraja III (about 1216–52), Kulottuhga Ill's son and successor, Tanjore was taken by Maravarman Sundara Pandya I (1216-38).

 

•    Rajaraja III was in such a precarious situation that he had to request the assistance of Vira Ballala II or Narasimha II Hoysala (1215) in order to be released from prison.

 

•    Around this time, Kopperunjinga, another prominent Pallava chieftain in Sendamangalam, is reported to have imprisoned Rajaraja III as well.

 

•    Once more stepping in to help, the Hoysala prince defeated Kopperunjinga and set Rajaraja III free.

 

•    The Cholas' fortunes were thus already in peril, and when a civil war between Rajaraja II and Rajendra III broke out in 1246 A.D., the Hoysnlas of Dvarasamudra, the Kakatiyas of Warangal under the zealous rule of Ganapati (1199-1261), and the Pandyas of Madura freely enriched themselves at the expense of the decadent Chola monarchy.

 

•    Jatavarman Sundara Pandya did, in fact, strike the death blow to the Chola dominion during the reign of Rajendra III (reigned 1251–72), who governed alone till 1267 A.D. after ruling jointly with his adversary Rajaraja III from 1246–1252. He asserts to have taken control of Kanei and a sizable section of their territory.

 

•    Rajendra III failed to stop the decay, and by 1267 AD, the empire had entirely collapsed and the Cholas had vanished into obscurity as a result of internal strife, the emergence of the Pandyas, and other feudatory powers.

 

•    Lack of resources was one of the factors contributing to the Cholas' decline. Due to a shortage of resources, they were unable to return to the former position that had previously earned them so many triumphs.

 

•    One of the factors contributing to the empire's inefficiencies in its last years was dishonesty and infiltration of the military forces.

 

•    One of the main causes of the dynasty's downfall was corruption.

 

•    The Pandyas' victory over the Cholas was too great for them to accept.

 

•    The succession conflicts and palace disputes that plagued the Cholas further crippled the realm.

 

•    By defeating Kulothunga Chola III, taking control of Thanjavur, and banishing Rajaraja Chola III, Maravarman Sundara Pandyan handed the Chola Empire its fatal blow.

 

South India was dominated by the Chola dynasty from the ninth through the twelfth centuries. The Chola capital of Gangaikonda Chozhapuram was taken prisoner by the Pandyan monarch Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I in 1264. The remaining Chola lands passed under the control of the Pandyan king after Kanchipuram had already been lost to the Telugu Cholas. The Chola dynasty was overthrown by King Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan in 1279. Rajendra Chola III, the last Chola ruler, was vanquished by me, and Pandya government was instituted.