30 Facts About Virarajendra Chola

Virarajendra Chola was a Chola emperor, who spent a major part of his life as a subordinate to two of his elder brothers Rajadhiraja I and Rajendra II, he is the son of Rajendra I During his early reign he granted the maintenance of a school to study the Vedas, Sastras and grammar; a hostel was provided for the students.

Virarajendra's reign occurred in a period when the Chola Empire was both trying to expand its boundaries and preserve its existing territories, but had appeared to stutter in its attempts because of the death of Virarajendra's eldest brother and king Rajadhiraja I, and the short rule of Virarajendra's elder brother Rajendra II.

Ultimately, Virarajendra proved to be a capable and brave ruler, who was kind and protective to his subjects, who reimposed authority on Chola dominions and was ruthless to the Chalukyas and the Pandyas.

Virarajendra Chola was posted as the Chola viceroy of Sri Lanka by his elder brother Rajadhiraja Chola during the early part of the latter's reign.

Virarajendra Chola fought the Western Chalukyas near Visaiyavadai and routed the Western Chalukyas on the banks of the river Krishna and re-asserted Chola authority over the domains of the Eastern Chalukyas.

Virarajendra Chola invaded Singhala Nadu and ruthlessly crushed attempts of the Singhala kings to free their kingdom from Chola control.

Virarajendra Chola had to suppress a rebellion in the Pandya territories by the Pandya princes.

Virarajendra Chola was returning after subduing the Pandyas, the Sinhalas and the Chera Perumal kings and making them tribute paying subordinates.

Virarajendra Chola immediately undertook the task of safeguarding the Chola capital and routed Vikramaditya VI from the Chola capital.

Virarajendra Chola's armies routed the Western Chalukyas at Vengi, after which they surrounded Kalyanpura, the Chalukyan capital and burnt the fortress at Kampili taking precious wealth, the Chief queen of Someshvara I, eliminated his generals and trusted feudatories and took away his horses and prized elephants.

Virarajendra Chola successfully quelled the rebellions at Ceylon, Madurai and the Chera Perumal Kingdom, Potappi and converted the Western Chalukyas into tribute paying subordinates.

Virarajendra Chola's reign is marked by the numerous inscriptions detailing his various victories with the Western Chalukyas.

Virarajendra Chola was involved in the battles against the Western Chalukyas even before he became king.

Under the command of the then heir to the throne Rajamahendra, Virarajendra Chola fought the Chalukya forces in the battle of Mudakaru.

Virarajendra Chola further claimed that he defeated Someshvara I's armies not less than five times.

Someshvara I wrote the Virarajendra Chola king assigning a site in a place called Kudal Sangamam for the battle, near the site of the previous battle in which the Chalukya forces were so utterly defeated.

The Virarajendra Chola army awaited the expected battle for more than a month; the Chalukya king never met the appointment.

From Kudal Sangamam, the Virarajendra Chola army proceeded to Vengi to re-establish their control on the Eastern Chalukyan Kingdom.

Virarajendra Chola then proceeded to conquer the entire Eastern Chalukya kingdom, defeated and re-captured Kalinga whose king had been in alliance with the Western Chalukyas.

Virarajendra Chola installed Vijayaditya, the Eastern Chalukya prince on the Vengi throne.

Mahavamsa records that Virarajendra sent the Chola army stationed in the island to attack the Rohana district.

The inscriptions of Virarajendra Chola begin with the introduction, Viramey-tunaiyagavum and he bore the title Rajakesari.

Virarajendra Chola married his daughter to Vikramaditya VI and forged an alliance with him, halting the long feud between the two empires.

Virarajendra Chola made a donation of twelve cows to the temple of Tiruttondisvara.

Virarajendra Chola was a younger brother of Rajadhiraja Chola and Rajendra Chola II and regularly figures in many of their inscriptions.

From an inscription of his from Tirunamanallur dated in the fourth year of his reign, we understand that Virarajendra Chola held the titles Sakalabhuvanasraya, Srimedinivallabha, Maharajadhiraja Cholakula-Sundara, Pandyakulantaka, Ahavamallakula-Kala, Ahavamallanai-mummadi-ven-kanda Rajasraya, Vira-Chola, Karikala Chola, The Glory of the Solar race, Sri-Virarajendradeva, Rajakesarivarma Perumanadigal and Konerinmaikondan.

Virarajendra Chola died in early 1070 CE after a short but extremely victorious rule.

Virarajendra Chola probably was not very younger to his elder brother Rajendra II or Rajadhiraja Chola and was probably into his middle years when he ascended the throne.

Virarajendra Chola had an elder brother called Alavandan on whom he conferred the title 'Rajaraja' or Rajadhiraja.

Early in his reign Virarajendra Chola appointed his son Madurantaka as viceroy of Tondaimandalam with the title of Cholendra.