Vijayalaya Chola was the founder of the medieval Chola empire and provided a strong base to the Chola empire. He was one of those rulers who greatly set up empire from nothing and then went on to invade powerful neighboring empires like Pandyas and Pallavas, and became a strong power in the entire ancient South India. The early Cholas were very powerful but however they lost their power and became feudal princes to other kingdoms. They went in to darkness around 300 A.D. From this period Cholas completely disappeared from their native land. A hero, with Chola blood, around 848 A.D re-established Chola rule, whom we are now referring as the great Vijayalaya Chola. He took the title Parakesarivarman. He reconstructed the temple of lord Shiva in Narthamalai called Vijayalaya Choleeswaram which was built by Mutharayars.
Re-Establishment Of Chola Empire By Vijayalaya Chola :
After the disappearance of early Cholas in around 300 A.D from the political map of South India, the Cholas became feudals to other kingdoms. Earlier, Vijayalaya was also a feudal prince who ruled under the authority of Pallava kingdom who ruled from Uaraiyur (capital of early Cholas). At that time Pandyas and Pallavas were very powerful and dominating empires in south India. A war broke out between Pandyas and Pallavas. Vijayalaya Chola saw a great opportunity in that war which no one did. This was the thought that changed the history of South India and Chola empire.
He planned to use this war to establish Chola empire as the two mighty powers were busy fighting with each other and as there was a unrest in both the empires. At that time the king of Pandyan empire was Varagunavarman II and king of Pallava empire was Nandivarman III.
As Vijayalaya Chola was a vassal to Pallava dynasty, Elango Muttaraiyar (last ruler of Mutharayar dynasty) was vassal to Pandyan empire who ruled from Thanjavur (modern Tanjore). During the war between Pandyas and Pallavas, Vijayalaya Chola attacked Muttaraiyars and captured Thanjavur and declared himself independent from Pallavas and re-established Chola empire. The Tiruvalangadu plates mentions that Vijayalaya captured Thanjavur. He also a built a temple there for goddes Durga called Nisumbhasudhini temple. He changed the capital of Cholas from Uraiyur to Thanjavur and defeated both the Pandyas and Pallavas. He then became king of most parts of the South India by wiping out both Pandyas and Pallavas.
Ally Of Pandyan And Pallava Empires Against Chola :
After a massive defeat in the hands of Vijayalaya Chola, Pandyan king Varagunavarman II and Pallava king Nandivarman III got together and planned to crush the rising power of Cholas on South India. First the Varagunavarman II led an expedition in to the Chola country with a huge army. The Pandyan army reached the north bank of river Kaveri. By this time, Vijayalaya was very old and was not in a position to fight battles. But he had a son named Aditya I, who was also a great Chola emperor. His son took control of the army and what happend next is clearly explained in our article called ' Battle Of Sri Purambiam ' and also ' Aditya I '. After his son took charge of the army, Vijayalaya Chola died of aging, probably around 871 A.D. and he was succeeded by his son Aditya I.
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