A brief study on the Cholas (Cholar) from B.C.100 - A.D.850

[virarajendra]

Author: Virarajendra

Under Construction

A brief study on the Cholas (Cholar) from B.C.100 - A.D.850

Prologue

The Tamil Chola king of the period of Vaalmiki Raamaayana

The first ever reference to the Kings of Chola Nadu is found in the original Sanskrit Ramaayana of the Sage/Poet Vaalmiki of the period B.C.550. However it has not provided the name of the Tamil Chola king of that period.

The Tamil Chola king who participated in the Mahaabharatha War

The second earliest reference to the Tamil Chola kings is found in the original Sanskrit Mahabharatha of the Sage/Poet Viyaasa of the period B.C.415. Here too the name of the Tamil Chola king has not been provided, but there are very many references to Cholas in the original Mahaabharatha to Chola king who participated in the Mahabharatha war. (Refer my Research Article titled "References to Tamil Kings and Tamil Countries in the Sanskrit Mahabharatha" in this same Hub Mayyam Website)

The period of confederacy of the 'Tamil Chola kings' with the 'Tamil Chera' and 'Tamil Paandiya' kings

In South India there has been a confederacy of the Tamil kingdoms (Tamira Countries) of Chera, Chola, and Pandiya (Muth Tamil Nadu) having much unity among themselves to jointly prevent the kings of the north an central India from invading their countries. This confederacy that existed for 113 years from B.C.283 was broken by king Karavela of Kalinga in the year B.C.170, which was a potential threat to his own kingdom. The names of the Tamil Chola kings of the period B.C.283-170 is not known.

The Kerala kings too in their North Indian expeditions, considered it as a great pride to have carved their emblem the Bow on the Himalayas, and having seen the Thamilakam (Chera, Chola & Pandiya) of that period bound by seas all round - were in unity.

The Tamil Chola kings of the period of Mauriya rule upto Karnataka in the south

This confederacy of the three southern Tamil kingdoms the Kerala (Chera), Chola and Pandiya, prevented the Maurya Emperor Asoka too from conquereing their countries in Southern India. This could have been the reason why when his domains extended as far as Mysore, he has referred in his Second Rock Edict that the Kerala (Chera), Chola, and Pandiya countries as being beyond his domains.

From the above it is very clear that the Cholas were known to the people of North India also during the period of the Maurya Emperor Asoka, who ruled the Magada kingdom from B.C.273-236. The names of the Tamil Chola kings of the period B.C.273-170 too is not known.

(1) Kopperum Cholan (B.C..... - A.D......)

Capital city -
Sea-port city -
Mainland War Expeditions -
Mainland Political Relations -
Overseas War Expeditions -
Overseas Political Relations -

(1) Veliyan Venmal Thiththan (B.C.73-53)

Capital city - Uraiyur
Sea-port city -
Mainland War Expeditions -
Mainland Political Relations -
Overseas War Expeditions -
Overseas Political Relations -
Events - The Chola king Veliyan Venmal Thiththan's daughter Nallini was married to Chera king Uhiyan Cheralathan, whose son was Imayavaramban Nedun Cheralathan.

(2) Perunatkilli (B.C.53-33) - Son of 1
(Also known as Ko-Perunatkilli, Perungkilli and as Ko-Perungkilli)

Capital city - Uraiyur
Sea-port city -
Mainland War Expeditions -
Mainland Political Relations -
Overseas War Expeditions -
Overseas Political Relations -
Events -

(3) Ilamchet Chenni (B.C.33-13) - Son of (2)

Capital city -
Sea-port city -
Mainland War Expeditions -
Mainland Political Relations -
Over Seas War Expeditions -
Over Seas Political Relations -

(4) Karikaal Cholan (Valavan) (B.C.13-A.D.45) - Son of (3)

Capital city - Uraiyur
Sea-port city - Kaviripoompattinam (Poompuhar)
Mainland War Expeditions -
Mainland Political Relations -
Over Seas War Expeditions -
Over Seas Political Relations -

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-irjzV_SNnQo/TyrLRrcylJI/AAAAAAAAAF8/CZ3L1P9y0Xs/s1600/IMG_20120131_084948.jpg A statue in granite stone of Karikaat Cholan at Ekambareswarer Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - Courtesy Avinash - YouTube

Silappathikaaram - Inthira Vilavu Uur eduththa kaathai

(4) Nalangkilli (A.D.45-65) - Son of (5)

His own brother Maavalaththaan. (Koakkilli)

Capital city - Kaviripoompattinam (Poompuhar)
Sea-port city -
Mainland War Expeditions -
Mainland Political Relations -
Over Seas War Expeditions -
Over Seas Political Relations -

(5) Nedungkilli (A.D.50-55) - Cousin Brother of (4)

Capital city - Uraiyur
Sea-port city -
Mainland War Expeditions -
ainland Political Relations -
Over Seas War Expeditions -
Over Seas Political Relations -

(6) Nedumudikkilli (A.D.65-90) Sister Natchonai (Manakkilli). 9 Cousin brothers conspired to oust him but was assisted by . also known as Nedungkilli -Son of (4)(A.D.65-120)

Capital city - Kaviripoompattinam
Sea-port city -
Mainland War Expeditions -
Mainland Political Relations -
Over Seas War Expeditions -
Over Seas Political Relations -

(7) Illangkilli (A.D.90-110) - Brother of (6)

Capital city - Uraiyur
Sea-port city -
Mainland War Expeditions -
ainland Political Relations -
Over Seas War Expeditions -
Over Seas Political Relations

(8) Udayakumaara Cholan (A.D.110-130)

Capital city -
Sea-port city -
Mainland War Expeditions -
Mainland Political Relations -
Over Seas War Expeditions -
Over Seas Political Relations -

(9) .......... Cholan (A.D.110-130)

Capital city -
Sea-port city -
Mainland War Expeditions -
Mainland Political Relations -
Over Seas War Expeditions -
Over Seas Political Relations -

(11) Peruncheral Irumporai (A.D.160-177)captures Chola country - (Thagadur Yaaththirai)
Capital City :

(12) Ilancheral Irumporai (A.D.177-193) rules over Chola country with tributes from Subadeva Cholan - son of
Capital City :

(13) Kanaikkaal Irumporai (A.D.193-213) rules over Chola country with tributes from Subadeva Cholan (11) (contemporary of Cholan (Chenganaan)
Capital City : Vanchi Nagar (present Kodungallur)


(9) Subadeva Cholan (A.D.177-A.D.193)

Capital city -
Sea-port city -
Mainland War Expeditions -
Mainland Political Relations -
Over Seas War Expeditions -
Over Seas Political Relations -

(10) Cholan Sengkannaan (A.D.193-213) Son of (7) Kanaikkaal Irumporai was defeated by Cholan Chenganaan at Kalumalam and free Chola country from Chera hold.
Capital City :

Capital city -
Sea-port City -
Mainland War Expeditions with -
Mainland Political Relations with -
Over Seas War Expeditions to -
Over Seas Political Relations with -

(11) Cholan Nalliakodan (A.D.213-233) Son of (8)

Capital city -
Sea-port City -
Mainland War Expeditions with -
Mainland Political Relations with -
Over Seas War Expeditions to -
Over Seas Political Relations with -

(12) Sri Kantha Cholan (A.D.233-253) Son of (8)

Capital city -
Sea-port City -
Mainland War Expeditions with -
Mainland Political Relations with -
Over Seas War Expeditions to -
Over Seas Political Relations with -




(12) Kalabhra king (Perarasan) Achchutha Vikkranthakan's rule - (A.D.467-506)

Capital city - Uraiyur, Kaviripoompattinam
Sea-port City -
Mainland War Expeditions with -
Mainland Political Relations with -

(13) Pugal Cholan - (A.D.506 - 549)
Puhal Cholan died in the year A.D.549 when he was in the city of Karuvur.

Capital city - Uraiyur
Sea-port City -
Mainland War Expeditions -
Mainland Political Relations -
Over Seas Political Relations - Over Seas War Expeditions to - During this period with the disturbed conditions in Sri Lanka with the death of it's king 'Mahaanaama' (a contemporary of the Kalabhra king Acchuta Vikkrantakan), the 'Puhal Cholan' sent forces under five generals to capture the northern region of Sri Lanka. They successfully won this region and these five Chola generals consecutively ruled over northern Sri Lanka for 27 years

(14) 'Son' of Pugal Cholan - (A.D.549-550)

Capital city - Uraiyur
Sea-port City -
Mainland War Expeditions with -
Mainland Political Relations with -
Over Seas War Expeditions to -
Over Seas Political Relations with -

(15) Pallava king Simha Vishnu's rule (Avani Simhan) - (A.D.550-570)

Capital city - Uraiyur
Sea-port City -
Mainland War Expeditions with -
Mainland Political Relations with -
Over Seas War Expeditions to -
Over Seas Political Relations with -

(16) Kalabhra king (Sittarasan) Koortruvan's rule - (A.D.570-575)

Capital city - Uraiyur
Sea-port City -
Mainland War Expeditions with -
Mainland Political Relations with -
Over Seas War Expeditions to -
Over Seas Political Relations with -

(17) Pallava king Mahendravarman's rule - (A.D.575-630)

Capital city - Uraiyur
Sea-port City -
Mainland War Expeditions with -
Mainland Political Relations with -
Over Seas War Expeditions to -
Over Seas Political Relations with -

(18) Kalabhra king (Sittarasan) Koortuvan's rule - (A.D.630-632)

Capital city - Uraiyur
Sea-port City -
Mainland War Expeditions with -
Mainland Political Relations with -
Over Seas War Expeditions to -
Over Seas Political Relations with -

Kalabhra king Koortuvan's requests "Thillaivaal Anththanar" to crown him as the king of Chola country

Koortruvan with his large forcees of elephants, horses, and foot - soldiers, and with the Chola country and many other villages under his rule, wished to be annointed as the Chola king with the crown of the Cholas kept in safety with "Thillai Vaal Anthanar" at Thillai (Chithamparam) Aadavallaan (Nadarajar) temple. He approached them in connection with same and in turn was refused advising him that 'they only crown the Chola kings and not others at this temple', and left to Chera country fearing of any subsequent repercussions, leaving the Chola crown for safe keeping with one of the Anthanar family who chose to remain.

(19) Pallava king Narasimhavarman - 1's rule - (A.D.632 - 641)

With the demise of the Pallava king Mahendravarman his son Narasimhavarman - 1 (A.D.630-641) acended the throne as the next successor to the Pallava kingdom. He waged war with many countries successfully, and also re-captured the Chola country from the Kalabhras and brought it back again into the Pallava fold.

Capital city - Uraiyur
Sea-port City -
Mainland War Expeditions with -
Mainland Political Relations with -
Over Seas War Expeditions to -
Over Seas Political Relations with -

(20) Manimudi Cholan - (A.D.641-657)

With the demise of the Pallava king Narasimhavarman - 1 in A.D.641, the Manimudicholan recaptured the Chola country from the Pallavas and establised his rule.

Capital city - Uraiyur
Sea-port City -
Mainland War Expeditions with -
Mainland Political Relations with -
Over Seas War Expeditions to -
Over Seas Political Relations with -
Events - Mangaiyatkarasi the daughter of Manimudich Cholan was married to the Paandiyan king Nedumaaran. The contemporaries of Manimudichcholan were - Kulachchiraiyar the chief minister of Nedumaaran, the great Tamil Saiva Saints Thirunaavukkarasa Naayanaar, Thirugnanasampantha Naayannar.



Manoratha (Nedumudikilli) married Naga Princes

(other names; Killi-valavan, Ko-Killi, Vadivet-Killi, Venvet-Killi, Maa-van-Killi, Thodukalat-Killi) (The Chola King during the period of Silappathikarem episode)

Period of Thirunavukkarasu Nayanar – A.D.568 - 649
Period of Thirugnana Sampanthar – A.D.641 - 657
Period of Pallava king Simhavishnu – A.D.550 - 575
Period of Pallava king Mahendravarman – 1 A.D.575 - 632
Period of Pallava king Narasimhavarman – 1 A.D.632 - 668
Period of Pallava king Narasimhavarman – 2 A.D.668 - 669
Period of Pallava king Parameshwaravarman-1 A.D.669- 690
Period of Pandiya king Nedumaran – A.D.642 - 692

(11) Peruncheral Irumporai (A.D.160-177) - son of (9) Thagadur Yaaththirai
Capital City : Vanchi Nagar (present Kodungallur)

(12) Ilancheral Irumporai (A.D.177-193) - son of (10)
Capital City : Vanchi Nagar (present Kodungallur)

(13) Kanaikkaal Irumporai (A.D.193-213) - son of (11) (contemporary of Cholan (Chenganaan)
Capital City : Vanchi Nagar (present Kodungallur)

[virarajendra]

Evidences:

இருநில மருங்கின் பொருநரைப் பெறாஅச்
செருவெங் காதலின் திருமாவளவன் 90

வாளும் குடையும் மயிர்க்கண் முரசும்
நாளொடு பெயர்த்து நண்ணார்ப் பெறுகஇம்
மண்ணக மருங்கின்என் வலிகெழு தோள்எனப்
புண்ணியத் திசைமுகம் போகிய அந்நாள்
அசைவு இல் ஊக்கத்து நசைபிறக்கு ஒழியப் 95

---------------------

பொழிற்கருவூர்த் துஞ்சிய புகழ்ச்சோழர்க் கடியேன் - Suntharamoorthy Naayanaar

திருத்தொண்டத்தொகை
பண் - கொல்லிக்கௌவாணம்
7th Thirumurai of Tamil Saiva Saint Suntharamoorththy Nayanaar

திருத்தொண்டர் திருவந்தாதி
11th Thirumurai of Tamil Saiva Saint Nambiyaandaar Nambi

புகழ்ச்சோழ நாயனார்
புலமன் னியமன்னைச் சிங்கள நாடு பொடிபடுத்த
குலமன் னியபுகழ்க் கோகன நாதன் குலமுதலோன்
நலமன்னிய புகழ்ச் சோழன தென்பர் நகுசுடர்வாள்
வலமன் னியஎறி பத்தனுக் கீந்ததோர் வண்புகழே. 51

------------------------

பகைவிலக் கியது இப் பயம்கெழு மலைஎன
இமையவர் உறையும் சிமையப் பிடர்த்தலைக்
கொடுவரி ஒற்றிக் கொள்கையின் பெயர்வோற்கு,
மாநீர் வேலி வச்சிர நன்னாட்டுக்
கோன் இறை கொடுத்த கொற்றப் பந்தரும் 100

மகத நன்நாட்டு வாள்வாய் வேந்தன்
பகைபுறத்துக் கொடுத்த பட்டிமண் டபமும்,
அவந்தி வேந்தன் உவந்தனன் கொடுத்த
நிவந்து ஓங்கு மரபின் தோரண வாயிலும்
பொன்னினும் மணியினும் புனைந்தன ஆயினும் 105

Evidences:

1. வண்டின் தூது

நாம நெடுவேல் நலங்கிள்ளி சோணாட்டுத்
தாமரையும் நீல்முந் தைவந்-தியாமத்து
வண்டொன்று வந்தது வாரல் பனிவாடாய்!
பண்டன்று பட்டினங் காப்பு

24. பெரும் பழி

திறந்திடுமின் தீயவை பிற்காண்டு மாதர்
இறந்து படிற்பெரிதாம் ஏதம்-உறந்தையர்கோன்
தண்ணார மார்பிற் தமிழ்நர் பெருமானைக்
கண்ணீரக் காணக் கதவு!

32. கண்ணும் நாணமும்

கனவினுள் காண்கொடா கண்ணூம் கலந்த
நனவினுள் முன்விலக்கு நாணும்-இனவங்கம்
பொங்கோதம் போழும் புகாஅர்ப் பெருமானார்
செங்கோல் வடுப்படுப்பச் சென்று!

33. முறை இதுவோ?

கண்டன உண்கண் கலந்தன நல்நெஞ்சம்
தண்டப் படுவ தடமென்தோள்-கண்டாய்
உலாஅ மறுகில் உறையூர் வளவற்
கெலாஅ முறைகிடந்த வாறு!

43. சோழ நாடு

காவல் உழவர் களத்தகத்துப் போர் ஏறி
நாவலோஓ என்றிசைக்கும் நாளோதை-காவலன்தன்
கொல்யானை மேலிருந்து கூற்றி சைத்தாற் போலுமே
நல்யானைக் கோக்கிள்ளி நாடு!

49. உஞ்சைமுதல் ஈழம்வரை

கச்சி ஒருகால் மிதியா ஒருகாலால்
தத்துநீர்த் தண்ணுஞ்சை தான்மிதியாப்-பிற்றையும்
ஈழம் ஒருகால் மிதியா வருமேநங்
கோழியர் கோக்கிள்ளி களிறு!

(13) Cholas become powerful and sends a war expedition to Sri Lanka

During this period with the disturbed conditions in Sri Lanka with the death of the king Mahaanaama (a contemporary of the Kalabhra king Acchuta Vikkrantakan), the 'Puhal Cholan' sent forces under five generals to capture the northern region of Sri Lanka. They successfully won this region and these five Chola generals consecutively ruled over northern Sri Lanka for 27 years.

During the later part of his life 'Puhal Cholan' became a great devotee of God Siva and opted to spend more on religious life. He ruled the Chola country for nearly 43 years and in A.D.549 with his death his son ascended the throne as the next Chola king. He due to his great devotion to God Siva came be be included among the 63 - Tamil Saiva Saints of Tamil Nadu and was referred to as Puhal Chola Naayanaar. His son who succeeded on the Chola throne seems to have been a weak Ruler, which caused much uncertainty in the stability of this kingdom.

The following References confirm the above:

".......His younger brother king Mahanama reigned twenty years. let it be known that at the time a commentator, a Thera by the name of Buddhagosha arrived in the island of Lanka from Dambadiva......the king by the name of Satgahaka reigned for a year (then).....that king(Mitsen).....reigned one year. At that time seven Tamils from the Soli country along with seven thousand Tamils landed in Sri Lanka and having killed (Mitsen) and usurped the throne, and each of them reigned seperately for a period of twenty seven years......"
Rajavaliya (Sri Lankan Historical Chronicle) - Translated into English by Mr A.V.Suraweera

"......pulamanniya mannai Singhala Nadu podipaduththa
kulamanniya Pukalkkoakana nathan kulamuthaloan
nalamanniya Pukalch Cholan enbar nakusudarvaal
valamanniya Eripaththanuk eenthathor van pukale....."
11th Thirumurai - Thiruththondar Thiruvanthathi by Nambiyaandaar Nambi

(14) The Pallavas capture Chola Nadu and bring into their fold

The Pallava king Simha Vishnu (Avani Simhan) (A.D.550-570) ruling from the neighbouring Pallava kingdom on seeing he being a weak king invaded Chola Nadu and brought it into the Pallava fold around A.D.556.

The following References confirm the above:

"......Simhavarman entra arasanidam irunthu jayasaaliyaana Simha Vishnu undaanaan......Kaaviriyinaal alangarikkappattathumaana Cholalarkaludaiya naattai avan kaipattrinaan......"
Velur Paalayam Copper Plate Grant, Pallavar Cheppedukal Muppathu, Grant by Pallava king Nanthivarman - 3, Page No:259

"......thaamarai pontra thiruvvadikalai udaiya arasanaana Simhavarmanidamirunthu piranthaan Sri Simha Vishnu.....kaveran makalaana Kaavi nathiyai maalaiyaakavum......konda Chola puumiyaik kaippatrinaan...."
Pallan Koyil Cheppedukal, Pallavar Cheppedukal Muppathu, of Simha Vishnu, Page 30 & 31

".......athan pirahu ethirikalai kalakuvathil eedupattavanaana Avani Simhan thontrinaan......Maalavaththaiyum piraku Kalappra, Maalava, Chola, Paandiya mannarkalaiyum than pujapalaththile karvamadaintha Singhala mannanaiyum, Kerala arasarkalaiyum vettri kondaan....."
Kasaakkudi Cheppedukal, Pallavar Cheppedukal Muppathu, Grant by Pallava king Nanthivarman - 3, verse 20, Page:174

(15) Kalabhra Sittarasan Koortuvan recaptures Chola country from the Pallavar

With the death of the Kalabhra king Atchchutha Vikkiranthakan with no sons of his own as heir appraent, one of his own kin stationed at Kalanthai in Thanjavur district to overlook the region of Chola Nadu during his rule, re-captured Chola Nadu from the Pallavas with the demise of Mahendravarman - 1 and brought it under his (Kalabhra) rule.

The following References confirm the above:

"......velavan than kula maintharum inmaiyaale....."
Periyapuraanam - by Seikkeelaar, Kootruvanaayanaar kaandam, verse ???

"......aarkonda vet Koortr(uv)an Kalanthai koan....."
7th Thirumurai - by Suntharamoorthy Naayanaar, Thiruth Thondat Thohai, verse 6.

(16) Koortuvan requests Thillaivaal Anththanar to crown him as the king of Chola country

Koortruvan with his large forcees of elephants, horses, and foot - soldiers, and with the Chola country and many other villages under his rule, wished to be annointed as the Chola king with the crown of the Cholas kept in safety with "Thillai Vaal Anthanar" at Thillai (Chithamparam) Aadavallaan (Nadarajar) temple. He approached them in connection with same and in turn was refused advising him that 'they only crown the Chola kings and not others at this temple', and left to Chera country fearing of any subsequent repercussions, leaving the Chola crown for safe keeping with one of the Anthanar family who chose to remain. However the grieved Kortruvan had a vision in his dreams the 'God Siva' crowing him with his foot on his head. Thereafter the Koortruvan became more engaged in religious life and later became a Saiva Saint, and subsequently recognised as one of the 63 - Tamil Saiva Saints under the name the "Koortruva Naayanaar".

The following References confirm the above:

"......Naathan thiruvadiye mudiyaaka kaviththu nalla
pothang karuththit poriththamaiyaal athu kaikoduppa
otham thaluviya gnalam ellam oru kolil vaiththaan
Kothai neduvel Kalappaalan akiya Koottruvane......"
11th Thirumurai - Thiruththondar Thiruvanthathi - Nambiyaandaar Nambi, verse 47

(17) Pallavar re-captures the Chola Nadu from the Kalabhras

With the demise of the Pallava king Mahendravarman his son Narasimhavarman - 1 (A.D.630-668) acended the throne as the next successor to the Pallava kingdom. He waged war with many countries successfully, and also re-captured the Chola country from the Kalabhras and brought it back again into the Pallava fold.

The following References confirm the above:

"......thirumba thirumba Chola, Kerala, Kalapira (Kalabhra), Paandiyarkalai vettri kondavanum.....Vaathaapiyai aliththavanumaana Narasimhavarman....."
Kuram Copper Plate Grant - of Parameswaravarman - 1, Thirty Pallava Copper Plates published by The Tamil Varalattru Kalagam, page 55

[virarajendra]

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