Home > Indian History > History of India > Chola & Western Chalukyan Invasions
Chola & Western Chalukyan Invasions
The primary series of Western Chalukyan invasions, transpired during the early years of rule Saktivarman I.

Share this Article:

The primary series of Western Chalukyan invasions, which was to devastate Vengi during the next century and a quarter, transpired during the early years of rule Saktivarman I (c. 1000 -1011 C.E.). Satyasraya (997 - 1008 C.E.), the son and successor of Tailapa II, sent an army led by one of his generals Baya Nambi to invade the Eastern Chalukyan kingdom in 1006 C.E. to overthrow the Chola-Chalukya alliance and bring the east coast under his control. The general entered Vengi from the south condensed the forts of Dharanikota and Yanamadala to ruins and established himself at Chebrolu (Guntur district).

Rajaraja Chola diverted the concentration of Satyasraya by conveying his son Rajendra Chola I to plague Rattapadi in the west and thereby obligated him to extract his army from Vengi for the defense of his dominion. Following the retreat of the Western Chalukyan army from the east coast, Saktivarman overtook the control of his kingdom.

Succession Disputes
Toward the conclusion of the sovereignty of Vimaladitya (1011 - 1018 C.E.) the succession to the Vengi throne was in dispute. His son Rajaraja Narendra, through the Chola princess Kundavai, was allotted crown prince and ascended his father on the throne of Vengi. But Vijayaditya VII, who was the stepbrother of Rajaraja Narendra, detained power with the help of Jayasimha II, the Western Chalukyan ruler. Rajaraja Narendra sought the aid of his maternal uncle and overlord, the Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I. The latter swiftly transmitted forces to his serve. Rajendra sustained the ritual of fighting on two fronts in the north, started by Rajaraja Chola, as well. Rajendra Chola I sent a powerful army against Rattapadi to divert the attention of Jayasimha II and prevent him from sending effective help to Vijayaditya VII. With this, the king of Kalyani was compelled to take steps for the defence of his kingdom.

On the Eastern Chalukyan front, the Chola army led by the general Soliyavarasan overpowered Vijayaditya and his Kalinga and Odda supporters in numerous skirmishes, took control of the nation on behalf of Rajaraja Narendra and advanced afterwards on a grand military expedition to the Gangetic valley. To protect the rear of his army campaigning in the Gangetic valley, Rajendra Chola I rested on the banks of the Godavari, during which he instated his nephew Rajaraja Narendra as the ruler of Vengi and celebrated the latter`s coronation on 16th August 1022 A.D. later he conferred his daughter Ammangai in marriage to his nephew whose son Rajendra was named after him.

Rajaraja Narendra was persistently inundated with difficulties during his elongated rule of 41 years. His half-brother Vijayaditya never gave up his designs upon the throne. He managed to oust his brother, seize the throne and keep himself in power, probably with the help from the Western Chalukya court between 1031 and 1035 C.E. Around, 1042 C.E. the new ruler of Kalyani, Ahavamalla Somesvara I, with whom Vijayaditya VII allied himself, sent an expedition against Vengi. Rajendra Chola I sent Chola forces to Vengi under his general Rajaraja Brahmamaharaja. A bloody battle took place at Kalidindi in the West Godavari district. The result of the battle was indecisive. A lull prevailed in the warfare after this battle.

Rajadhiraja and Somesvara I:
Rajadhiraja Chola I (1042 - 1052 C.E.), the son and successor of Rajendra Chola I, led an expedition into the Vengi country in 1044 - 1045 C.E in order to reinstate the Chola ascendancy over Vengi to its former supreme state. He exchanged blows at Dhannada and obliged the Western Chalukyan army along with Vijayaditya VII to recoil in disarray. Later he entered into the Western Chalukyan authority and set fire to the Kollipaka fort on the frontier amid the Kalyani and Vengi territories. However, by 1047 C.E. Vengi and Kalinga were lost by the Cholas to the Western Chalukyas. They detained the territory approximately up to the closing stages of Virarajendra Chola`s reign (1062 - 1070 C.E.). It is exceedingly unusual that Rajadhiraja Chola I unexpectedly lost concern in the Vengi affairs and by no means made any endeavor to restore his influence in the Telugu country. Rajaraja Narendra realised that to continue fight with the Western Chalukyas was futile and accomplished peace with Somesvara I.

Successors of Rajaraja Narendra
The demise of Raiaraja Narendra in 1061 C.E. presented an additional prospect to the Kalyani court to reinforce its hold on Vengi. Vijayaditya VII seized Vengi and with the sanction of his suzerain of Kalyani whom he served faithfully for numerous years, established himself enduringly in the realm. In the interim prince Rajendra Chalukya, son of Rajaraja Narendra through the Chola princess Ammangai was brought up in the Chola harem.

Rajendra Chalukya, also known as Rajendra Choda, married Madhurantakidevi, the daughter of the new Chola ruler Rajendra Chola II (1054 A.D. -1063 A.D.), the brother and successor of Rajadhiraja I. In order to restore him on the Vengi throne, the Rajendra Chola II sent his son Rajamahendra and brother Virarajendra Chola against the Western Chalukyas and Vijayaditya VII. The Chola military marched in opposition to Gangavadi and drove away the Chalukyas. Virarajendra then marched against Vengi and most likely slayed Saktivarman II, son of Vijayaditya VII.

In the interim, Rajendra II passed away and as his son Rajamahendra had predeceased him, his brother Virarajendra Chola went back to Gangaikonda Cholapuram and was crowned the Chola king. Fortunes oscillated for the Eastern Chalukya Rajendra Choda during this period. For sometime he ruled in Chakrakuta, while his uncle Vijayaditya VII was permitted to rule Vengi.

Vikramaditya VI
On the death of Somesvara I in 1068 C.E., Vikramaditya VI, one of his three sons, began pursuing his plans for securing the throne of Kalyani for himself. Consequently he first got Vijayaditya to create his submission to Virarajendra Chola and harmonize with him and followed the same course himself. Vikramaditya is the legendary king of Ujjain, India, famed for his wisdom, bravery and magnanimity. The title "Vikramaditya" has also been implicit by several kings in Indian history, remarkably the Gupta King Chandragupta II. The name is a Sanskrit tatpurusha, (vikrama) meaning "valour" and Aditya, son of Aditi.

One of the most celebrated sons of Aditi, or adityas, was Surya the sun god; hence, Vikramaditya means Surya, translating to "Sun of valor". He is also called Vikrama or Vikramarka (Sanskrit arka meaning the Sun). Vikramaditya is said to have lived in the 1st century BC and may have been overpowered by the king Shalivahana. According to the Katha-sarita-sagara description, he was the son of Ujjain`s King Mahendraditya of the Paramara dynasty.

Nine Gems and Vikramaditya`s court in Ujjain
The Indian tradition asserts that Kalidasa, Vetalbhatt (or Vetalabhatta), Vararuchi and Varahamihira were an element of Vikramaditya`s court in Ujjain. The king is said to have had nine such men of letters, called the "nava-ratna" (literally, Nine Gems). Kalidas was the legendary Sanskrit laureate. Varahmihira was a soothsayer of distinction of the era who forecasted the demise of Vikramaditya`s son. Vetalbhatt was a Brahmin. He is identified to have accredited the work of the sixteen stanzas "Niti-pradeepa" (Niti-pradipa, literally, the lamp of conduct) to Vikramaditya.

Kulothunga`s Accession
Subsequent to the demise of Virarajendra and the assassination of his son and descendant Adhirajendra in the Chola capital, the Chola dynasty was deprived of a linear heir in the Vijayalaya Chola line. For three generations the Eastern Chalukyan princes married the Imperial Chola family and felt that they belonged as much to the Chola family as to the Eastern Chalukyan. Further, Rajendra Chalukya of Vengi, according to Kalingaltuparani, an epic printed in honor of Kulothunga`s incursion of Kalinga, `spent his childhood days in Gangaikonda Cholapuram and was a familiar favourite to the princes and the people of the Chola country`. It is under this state of affairs, Rajendra Chalukya moved into the `Political vacuum created by the death of Adhirajendra` and established himself on the Chola throne as Kulothunga Chola I. Since then Kulottunga I and his descendants were recognized as the Chalukya-Cholas in history.

Kulothunga I acquiescent himself with his uncle Vijayaditya VII and permitted him to rule Vengi during the enduring years of his life. With Vijayaditya`s death in 1075 C.E., the Eastern Chalukyan line came to an end. Vengi became a province of the Chola Empire. Kulottunga Chola I administered the province through his sons by sending them as Viceroys. However there was a prolonged fight between him and Vikramaditya VI over the possession of Vengi, which frequently changed hands. This perpetual struggle between the two great rulers ended in the Vengi kingdom slipping out of the Chola hands in 1118 C.E.


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India

History of Indian Drama
History of Indian Drama is rich with Vedas and Indian epics and has gradually changed with time and remains unaffected by any foreign influence.
History of Khajuraho Temple
Located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is country’s most magnificent groups of temples.
History of Ayurveda
History of Ayurveda dates back to 5,000 years old and is widely considered to be the oldest form of health care in the world.
History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History of Indian Photography
An overview of the development of photography, through the various stages in India.
History of Delhi
History of Delhi began with the advent of Indian regal dynasties. Delhi witnessed the rise and fall of Hindu dynasties, Muslims and the British as well.
History of Indian Radio
History of Indian Radio dates back to late 1930s with the first establishment of All India Radio in 1936 that improved further after independence.
History of Punjab
History of Punjab dates back to the 16th century; however its formation is traced in the great epic Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
History of Maharashtra
Maharashtra, the land of charismatic Marathas, unfolds the legend of diverse culture and tradition, keeping in pace with the modernity. The gallant history of Maharashtra is still echoed amidst its historical relics and archeological wonders.
History of Kerala
History of Kerala can be interpreted from the inscriptions of Ashoka, Mauryan Emperor. History of Kerala is as interesting as its wide-ranging geographical features that make the land a place of versatile appeal.
History of Bihar
History of Bihar goes back to the very dawn of the human civilizations. Many eminent personalities and leaders from Bihar contributed for India’s freedom struggle.
History of Assam
In the ancient Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, Assam was known as `Kamarupa` or `Pragjyotish`. In the Mahabharata, the Puranas, the Tantras there are references of Assam as Kamrupa kingdom.
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands dates back to the settlement of the East India Company in the territory of the Islands.
History of West Bengal
History of West Bengal is rooted in richness and is an important episode in the history of India. The history of Bengal played an important role in shaping the history of India.
History of Jharkhand
One of the fairly newer states, Jharkhand was carved out of the southern portion of Bihar in 2000. The history of Jharkhand is seeped with a variety of cultural significances starting from the Vedic era to Mughal period and finally the British administration.
History of Sikkim
History of Sikkim declares the pre historic culture and the colonial era hilly politics and the rules of Sikkim.
History of Nagaland
The history of Nagaland mainly revolves around and deals with the customs and economic activities of the Naga Tribes and how the state has evolved since the Indian Independence.
History of Mizoram
History of Mizoram includes the various historical events and incidents which occurred during the various ages, right from before the age of the Mughals.
History of Jammu & Kashmir
History of Jammu and Kashmir involves a series of political and geographical transformations from every ancient era to the modern times also. Even now, Jammu and Kashmir has its political tension between Pakistan and India.
History of Puducherry
Puducherry was invaded by different invaders in different times. The invaders include Pallava Kingdom of Kanchipuram, dynasties of the South, Cholas of Thanjavur, Pandyas and Muslim invaders.
History of Chandigarh
In 1947, the British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Punjab was also included in this partition. So, there was a need for a new capital for Punjab, as the old capital Lahore became part of Pakistan during the partition. So, in 1948, under the leadership of chief architect Mr. P.L. Verma the construction of Chandigarh city began.
History of Daman and Diu
During the early stage, i.e. from 8th to 13th century, Daman and Diu was part of Goa.
History of Lakshadweep
History of Lakshadweep defines the first settlement on these islands under the Union Territory of India that was ruled by Cheraman Perumal, who was the last king of Kerala.
History of Karnataka
History of Karnataka comprised of the different rulers of different dynasties of various religions like Hindus, Buddhists, and later the Muslims.
History of Goa
History of Goa dates back to the 3rd century BC and reflects the rule of the mighty rulers and gained its independence under Jawaharlal Nehru.
History of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh possesses a rich historical heritage of culture of the ancient tribes. Being a bordering state of India, Arunachal Pradesh also has a history of military unrest since ancient Indian age.
History of Andhra Pradesh
History of Andhra Pradesh traces its origin back to the 5th century BC. According to the inscriptions, Kuberaka, the oldest Kingdom in South India had an empire in the coastal Andhra during that period.
History of Himachal Pradesh
History of Himachal Pradesh narrates about the various settlements and dynasties that emerged in the region over time.
History of Uttarakhand
History of Uttarakhand finds mention in the early Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand, Manaskhand and Himavat. Uttarakhand is called as the Land of the Gods (Dev Bhoomi) because of its various holy places and shrines.
History of Rajasthan
The history of Rajasthan is dotted with tales of valor, chivalry, camaraderie and romance.
History of Tamil Nadu
History of Tamil Nadu reveals that this ancient place in South India was ruled by various kingdoms like the Pandyas Dynasty, Cholas Dynasty, Nayakas Dynasty and Pallavas Dynasty.
History of Haryana
History of Haryana depicts various events and influences that have cast a profound effect on the culture and people of the district. The place gained statehood on 1st of November 1966
History of Odisha
History of Odisha goes back a rather long way. Most of the history of the state is replete with the dynastic as well as tribal struggle for territorial superiority. Odisha is a place where one can find the religion, culture and history flow in away that lead to cultural amalgamation of early India.
History of Manipur
History of Manipur can be traced back to the prehistoric ages and this was followed by a number of rulers who reigned the land from age to age till it came under British rule and later joined the union of India.
History of Gujarat
History of Gujarat can be dated back to the 14th century that later witnessed the supremacy of many powerful dynasties.
History of Tripura
History of Tripura is dealing with the early mythological history and the history of British rule in North eastern part of India.
History of Meghalaya
The history of Meghalaya predominantly comprises of the three tribes of the state- Garo, Khasi and Jaintia tribes. Later on Meghalaya was formed by carving out two districts from the state of Assam.
History of Chhattisgarh
History of Chhattisgarh dates back to the era of epics and traces through the reign of powerful dynasties in India like Marathas. The area developed a rich cultural heritage during British era.