| Rajendra Chola II | |
| Rajendradeva, Parakesarivarman | |
| Succession: | Chola Emperor |
| Reign: | 1052 CE – 1064 CE |
| Predecessor: | Rajadhiraja I |
| Successor: | Virarajendra |
| Spouse: | Rajarajan Arumoliyar alias Tennavan Mādevi, queen of Rajendradeva,[1] Uruttiran Arumoli alias PirudiMādeviyar,[2] KōKilānadigal |
| Spouse-Type: | Queen |
| Issue: |
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| Father: | Rajendra Chola I |
| Mother: | Mukkokilan Adigal |
| Birth Name: | Vikraman |
| Birth Date: | 997 CE |
| Birth Place: | Thanjavur, Chola Empire (modern day Tamil Nadu, India) |
| Death Date: | 1064 C.E. (aged 67) |
| Death Place: | Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Chola Empire (modern day Jayankondam, Tamil Nadu, India) |
| Religion: | Hinduism |
| Succession2: | Co-Regent of the Chola Empire |
| Reign2: | 1044 CE – 1052 CE |
| Cor-Type2: | Emperor |
| Coronation2: | Rajadhiraja I |
| Predecessor2: | Rajadhiraja I |
| Successor2: | Rajamahendra |
| Dynasty: | Chola |
Rajendra Chola II (997 CE – 1064 CE) often referred to as Rajendradeva Chola was a Chola emperor who reigned from 1052 CE to 1064 CE. Rajendra II succeeded his brother Rajadhiraja I after his death at the Battle of Koppam.[3] Rajendra had served as a Co-regent under his brother from 1044 CE to 1052 CE. When he acceded the throne, the Chola Empire was at its peak stretching from Southern India to Vengai(Bengal) to parts of Southeast Asia. Rajendra had maintained the territories of his predecessor. During his reign, the Chola Empire was prosperous and had a large influence in trade throughout the Indian Ocean.
As a prince Rajendra helped put down revolts in Pandya Nadu and Srivijaya. During his early reign he put down several rebellions in Sri Lanka, Rajendra also straightened chola influence and control in Ruhuna in southern Sri Lanka. He established several garrisons and governors to maintain stronger rule and prevent future revolts.
In early 1052, the Cholas were suffering from losses against the Western Chalukyas in the Battle of Koppam after the death of Rajadhiraja I. Rajendra's strong leadership led the Cholas to a strategic victory although the western chalukyas achieved a Tactical victory. The Cholas didn't lose territory during this battle. Conflicts with the Western chalukyas continued throughout his reign. Rajendra's forces were victorious in the Battle of Kudal-Sangamam leading to greater Chola influence in the Krishna river.
Rajendra II was born around 997 CE although his exact birthdate is unknown. He was born to Rajendra I and his wife Mukkokilan Adigal. He was the 5th oldest out of 9 children. As a prince, Rajendra helped put down several rebellions Pandya Nadu and Srivijaya. he also helped his father conquer the kingdoms of Polonnaruwa and Ruhuna bringing all of Sri Lanka under Chola rule. After his father's death in 1044, Rajendra served as a Co-regent under his brother Rajadhiraja I who ascended the throne. Rajadhiraja was later killed in the Battle of Koppam in 1052. Rajendra was made king as Rajadhiraja's children were too young and inexperienced. Since he ascended the throne during a time of war, Jayamkondar's Kalingattuparani describes him as "The one who wore the crown on the big battlefield."[4]
Several Prashasti
It is to be noted however the above version of the Koppam battle is found only in the Chola inscriptions. A Chalukyan account of the battle is only found in a later inscription dated c. 1071, which recounts this incident after a gap of almost 15 years and which only mentions the death of Rajadhiraja.
Under the reign or Rajendra's father Rajendra I, The kingdom of Ruhuna were annexed bringin all of Sri Lanka under Chola occupation. During this time, the Tamil trading guilds Thisaiayiratthu Annuruvar tarded in Anuradhapura further increased their activities in the Island.[5] Under Rajendra II, several garrisons and governors were established to maintain stronger rule. Rajendra also pushed for tighter control over Ruhuna where several revolts took place.
However this period was also met with revolts by the local Sinhalese People. Rajendra put down several early rebellions and further straightened Chola rule in the island. In 1055 Sinhalese prince Vijayabahu I, who later became the king of Polonnaruwa attempted to expel Chola forces. Gradually the wider conflict developed into a prolonged, back and forth struggle of raids and counter-raids, with the forces of Vijayabahu advancing upon Polonnaruwa and then falling back to fortresses in Dakkhinadesa and Rohana to withstand retaliatory Chola attacks and sieges. By 1058, Rohana became independent of chola occupation. Vijayabahu established himself in Wakirigala and organized his army for a fresh attempt to capture Polonnaruwa, however this failed and his troops were defeater by Rajendra's son Uttama. During this time, he also had to face rebellions from other Sinhala leaders fighting for the throne.
Rajendra eventually sent forces to Sri Lanka to counter the revolt. Rajendra's son Uttama, the Chola governor of Polonnaruwa expelled Vijayabahu's forces.[6] Chola troops also arrived at Ruhuna which was the center of Vijayabahu's rebels. Several clashes continued between the Sinhalese and Chola forces. Rajendra and Uttama eventually put down the revolt.[7]
See main article: Battle of Koppam. The Chola forces were in battle with the Chalukyan army at Koppam (Koppal) located on the Tungabhadra River in 1053–54 AD.[8] [9] Rajadhiraja I was personally leading the Chola army from atop a war elephant to help rally the retreating Cholas. Prince Rajendra, the younger brother of Rajadhiraja, was holding himself in reserve. The Chalukyan army then concentrated on the elephant on which the Chola king was riding and wounded him mortally. Seeing the emperor falling dead, the Chola army retreated in disarray.[10] At that stage Rajendra entered the fray. Once again the Chalukya army concentrated on the leader. Rajendra-II was as valorous as his brave father and was a born leader of men. He immediately sensed that with the death of their King Rajadhiraja-I, the Chola army was in a disarray, he announced his taking over as the next Chola monarch and ordered the capable Chola army to continue fighting without letting up.[11] His unparalleled response and restoration of order by deciding to lead from the front on the battlefield simply re-galvanized his army which had among its ranks, several generals serving the Chola army from the times of Raja Raja I and Rajendra Chola I. He had many nephews and . Needless to add, the Chalukya army was simply unprepared for this kind of a reaction from any army which had lost its original leader and were simply no match. From inscriptions of Rajendra-II, we know that his elder brother Rajadhiraja-I was killed in the battle at Koppam in which Rajendra-II had participated along with his other brothers. Even Rajendra-II had been injured initially and had withdrawn from the battle, but he came back and turned the tables on the Ahavamalla (Someshvara-I) who called himself 'Trailokyamalla' – lord of three worlds). From an inscriptions of his from Manimangalam we understand that at the end of the battle, the Chalukyas were defeated and a number of officers of their army lay dead on the field. In this battle multiple opponents viz. Jaysinghan, the younger brother of the Salukki, Pulikesi, Dasapanman etc., were killed by Rajendra.[12] [13]
An inscription from 1058 CE on the south wall of the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur mentions the Battle of Koppam:[14]