There are numerous references in Chola Epigraphs to Sanatan Dharma, Vedic practices and Chola genealogy. Cholas trace their genealogy to Ikshvaku Dynasty/ Suryavansh.They proclaim that they belong to Kashyapa gotra.First human being Manu, father of Ikshvaku was a Dravidian Emperor, Srimad Bhagavad Puran observes. Sri Rama’s ancestor Sibi ruled from What is now North West province of Pakistan.He is mentioned in Vishnu Puran. Ikshvaku had a sister named Ila, after whom Tamil Elam, ஈழம், is derived.She founded the Lunar Dynasty, Chandra vamsa to which Pururavas belongs.
Thiruvaalankaadu Copperplates.
Cholas, like other Dynasties of South India, Chera,Pandya, Pallavas, have recorded ,as mentioned earlier their genealogy, among other things in Epigraphs/ Copperplates.One such is Thiruvaalankaadu Copperplates. Thiruvaalankaadu Copperplates were from The period of Madhurantaka Chola, Uncle of Rajendra Chola, though it is tradition to attribute the Copperplates to Rajendra Chola,as major entries were made in the Copperplates from the sixth year of the region of Rajendra Chola,who is the son Rararaja Chola.The Copperplates mention that Cholavarman was the grandson of Dushyantha and son of Bharatha,after whom India,Bharat is named.
In his family was born Dushyanta; his son was Bharata and his son was Chola after whose name the Solar race on this earth became known as Chola (v. 29) and who ruled the Chola country which was abundantly rich (v. 30). Cholavarman’s son was Rajakesarivarman and Rajakesarin’s son was Parakesarin (vv. 30 and 31). These two names were used as titles alternately by the Chola kings in the order of their coronation (v. 32).
One of the three Great Tamil Dynasties of Dravida Desa was Chera Dynasty .They trace their origins to Suryavansha and also Chandravansha,ie Solar and Lunar dynasty.Reason is that Manu’s son Ikshvaku, founded the Solar/ Suryavansha).Manu had a daughter Ila and she founded the Lunar dynasty, Chandravansha by marrying Chandra and begetting Budha. There were intermarriages between the two dynasties as well.Therefore not only Cholas but Chera s and Pandyas may be traced back to these two dynasties.Surya Vamsa, the Solar Dynasty .
Karikal Chola was an early Chola and he undertook an expedition to North India and was victorious.Chera King Cheralaathan was a Chera King who was successful in his expedition to North India. Cheralaathan’s Father Udhiyan Cheralaathan was contemporary of Karikal chola and Udhiyan Cheralaathan fed both armies of Kaurava and Pandava armies during Kurukshetra war , during Mahabharata period.Exploits of these kings are mentioned in Tamil Sangam Literature.
Karikal Valavan,aka Karikalan conquered the kings of Magadha, Avanti,and other Kings including Maya.Maya refers to The architect of Asuras .Asura does not mean nether beings but people who were at loggerheads with Devas and are generally considered as with more bad qualities than good .This is a question of perception. ‘the Asuras are any spiritual, divine beings including those with good or bad intentions, and constructive or destructive inclinations or nature.[6] ‘ He built Mayssabha, Palace of Illusion for Pandavas.He was a historical figure.
‘According to Nilakanta Sastri Karikala reigned in 90 CE.(A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar, page 119) I differ from this date. I shall be justifying the date of Karikalan in my next article.
After subduing the south Karikala went on an expedition to the north and engraved his tiger emblem in the Himalayas. The king of the great Vajra whose sway extended as far as the roaring sea (in the east), gave him a pearl canopy as a tribute while the king of Magadha famous for his sword-play, and his enemy a while ago, presented to him an audience hall (pattimandapam). The king of Avanti gave him a friendly present of a tall and beautiful arch on the gateway. Though all these were made of gold and gems, their technique was not known to human artists even of exceptional skill; they were long ago given to the ancestors of these three monarchs by the divine Maya in return for some valuable service rendered to him. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karikala
The above verse says that Thirumavalavan (karikala cholan) who after winning over North Vengadam to Kanyakumari and after defeating the mightier Pandya and Chera Kings ,
Karikalan , the chola king who is also a lover of wars went in search of New enemies towards North until Himalayas (it mentions about his Himalayan expedition and conquest) , who could match his shoulder strength in fight , Started Conquest after praying to his god Kotravai , along with his soldiers , Carrying White umbrella and Murasu (Drums)
[ Note : Mayir Kann Murasu mentioned here means the special Drum that is made out of tough Buffalo’s skin that had actually killed a Tiger in a fight when it was alive ]……இரும்பனம் போந்தைத் தோடும் கருஞ்சினை அரவாய் வேம்பின் அங்குழைத் தெரியலும் ஓங்கிருஞ் சென்னி மேம்பட மிலைந்த இருபெரு வேந்தரும் ஒருகளத்(து) அவிய வெண்ணித் தாக்கிய வெருவரு நோன்றாள் கண்ணார் கண்ணிக் கரிகால் வளவன்.”
In the Battle of Venni, Karikala crushed the Pandya and Chera forces along with their 11 chieftains, leading to the unifying of the three kingdoms into one under Karikala’s rule. Chera King Peruncheralathan was fatally wounded by the arrow throwed by Karikalan that pierced his chest and wounded his back , Since he got wounded his back , the chera king out of shame had commited self sacrifice by starving himself to death facing North (vadakkiruthal).
Thiruvaalangaadu copper plate inscriptions :
He defeated the confederacy of nine minor chieftains in the battle of Vaagaipperundalai. Paranar, a contemporary of Karikala, mentions this in his poem from Agananuru.
Pattinappaalai also describes the destruction caused by Karikala’s armies in the territories of his enemies and adds that as the result of those conflicts, the “Northerners and Westerners were depressed… and his flushed look of anger caused the Pandya’s strength gave way.
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