Boothi Vikramakesari Explained

Boothi Vikramakesari
Commander of the Chola Empire
Coronation:Parantaka II
Cor-Type:Emperor
Birth Place:Kodumbalur, Chola Empire (Modern day Tamil Nadu, India)
Death Place:Kodumbalur, Chola Empire (Modern day Tamil Nadu, India)
Spouse:Karrali
Varaguna
Issue:Boothi Aditya Pidaari
House:Irunkovel (father's side)
Chola (Mother's side)
Father:Samarabirama
Mother:Anupama

Boothi Vikramakesari was a Velir Irukkuvel commander of the Chola Empire during Sundara Chola's reign. He is best remembered for building the Moovar Koil temple complex, a collection of three temples in the village of Kodumbalur, 36 kilometres from Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu, India. His family was related to the Cholas by marriage. His mother was Chola princess Anupama, the daughter of Parantaka I, while his father was Samarabirama who belonged to the Velir clan.

Boothi Vikramakesari was a Velir chieftain and a feudatory of Parantaka II. He succeeded his father as the Irunkovel king of Kodumbalur. He was related to the Cholas by his mother side, as he was the son of Chola princess Anupama, the daughter of Parantaka I.[1] He raised some military conquests during Sundara Chola's reign. His exact period is still unknown, but can be fixed in the second half of the 10th century.

Personal life

The chief's given name was Boothi and he earned the title Vikramakesari through his exploits.[2] He is also called as Tennavan Ilangovel and Parantaka Ilangovelir in inscriptions.[3] He was born to Irukkuvel chieftain Samarabirama and Chola princess Anupama. Samarabirama is called 'Yadu Vamsa Kethu', which means 'The Banner of the Yadu Race in the Moovar Koil inscription.[4] Two queens of his are known from the same inscription, namely, Nangai Varaguna Perumanar and Karrali.[5]

Inscriptions

An excerpt of the Moovar Koil inscription is as follows,

Another inscription from the period of Pallava King Ko-vijaya-Nandivikramavarman from Kilur, Tirukovilur taluk, South Arcot district. The script and language of the inscription is in Tamil and paleographically the inscription can be dated to the 9th century,

The following is another inscription from Ghrithasthaneswara temple in Tillasthanam, figuring the queen of Boothi Vikramakesari from the period of Aditya I,[6]

It is of interest to note that among the boundaries mentioned in the above inscription there is an embankment called Karikala-karai.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Shyam Singh Shashi . Encyclopaedia Indica: South India, Volume 89 of Encyclopaedia Indica: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh . Anmol Publications . 2000 . 291.
  2. Book: The early Chōḷas history, art, and culture. S. Swaminathan. Sharada Pub. House. 1998. 65.
  3. Book: Museums Association of India . Journal of Indian Museums, Volumes 17-20 . Museums Association of India . 1964 . 13.
  4. Book: The early Chōḷas history, art, and culture. S. Swaminathan. Sharada Pub. House. 1998. 33.
  5. Book: Madras (India : State). B. S. Baliga. Madras District Gazetteers: Pudukkottai District. Superintendent, Government Press. 1983. 802.
  6. Book: Early Chola Temples: Parantaka I to Rajaraja I, A.D. 907-985. S. R. Balasubrahmanyam. Orient Longman. 1971. 116.