Epigraphia Indica Vol 22

SR No.: 032576
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hirananda Shastri
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1933
Total Pages: 408
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 21 MB

Page 117

EPIGRAPHIA INDICA.
[VOL. XXII.
stated that he had already gone (munbe pondirunda 1.21), thus suggesting his previous arrival in South India, evidently as a refugee seeking shelter under the Chola and possibly also his assistance for the overthrow of Parākramabāhu. Therefore when his help was sought by the Chola king, he readily responded, so that if there was a chance he might gain the throne of Ceylon.
The part played by Srivallabha, in this connection, has hitherto been considered as that of a traitor. But if it is understood that he was fighting along with his father Mänäbharana for the Singhalese throne against Parikramabāhu, it will be evident that such a charge cannot be levelled against him.
In the rivalry between Vira-Pandya and Kulasēkhara for the throne of Madura, the Chola king first took up the cause of Kulasēkhara, but when the latter proved a traitor by allying himself with Parikramabāhu, he was deposed and Vira-Pandya was placed in his stead. Though the present record stops with the restoration of Vira-Pandya, now with Chēļa help, it is clear that he must also have rebelled soon after, for when Kulottunga-Chola III continued the war, be fought against Vira-Pandya and in favour of one Vikrama-Pandya whom he made the ruler of Madura.
It may be pointed out here that the new facts gleaned from this inscription, viz.--that Rajā. dhiraja took up the cause of Srivallabha against that of Parākramabāhu, that the Pandya king Kulasēkhara turned a traitor to the Chola king and that Vira-Pandya was again installed on the Pandya throne through Chola help raise the following fresh issues which in the present state of our knowledge cannot be satisfactorily explained :
Did the Chola king Räjädhiraja II actually send any help to Ceylon to assist Srivallabha in his struggle for sovereignty or did he only give shelter to him? Why was Vira-Pandya made the ruler of the Pandya kingdom and not Vikrama-Pandya after Kulasēkhara turned a traitor ? What was the relationship of Vikrama-Pandya to his predecessors and what were his claims to the Pandya throne ?
The territorial divisions, Jayaigondasdla-mandalam (1.8), Arumolidēva-Valanādu (1.36) and Noņmali-nālu (1. 36) are already known. Palaiyan ür, the native place of Vēdavanam-Udaiyān may be identified with the village of the same name in the Tiruttaņi taluk of the Chittoor district. This village must be distinguished from Rājarājan-Palaiyapūr? (1.36) in th: Tanjore district, where 10 vēli of land was granted to this Vēdavanamudaiyān. The village Elagam
1 Seo 4. R. on Epigraphy for 1906, para. 23.
* Why Kulasēkhara proved a traitor is not explained in the record. Probably he was entioed by Parikramsbahu.
His revolt is referred to in the historical introduction of Kulottunga-Chola III. See 8. 1. 1., Vol. III, Pp. 206ff.
• Vira-Pandya seems to have occupied the throne for a second time from about 1175-1182 A.D. Like his predecessor Kulasekhara he also fell an easy prey to the machinations of Parikramabahu and thus made himself the bitterest enemy of the Chola king kulottunga-Chola III. He made a desparate attempt along with his son to regain the Pandya throne till at last he lost his life in the battle at Nettür. Two records from Tribbuvanam in the Tanjore district (Nos. 191 and 192 of 1907) state that Kulottunga-Chola III who bore the title 'Pandyari' killed Vira-Pandya. See also A. R. on Epigraphy for 1908, para, 64, and 8. 1. 1., Vol. III, pp. 217-18.
• The Chola rulers played the role of 'king makers'. Kulasekhara, Vira-Pandya, and Vikrama-Pandya were successively made rulers of the Pandya country by the Chola sovereigns.
• The Tiruvalangadu plates of the Chla king Rajendra-chola I record the grant of this village to the Siva temple at Tiruvalangădu. In the Tlvdram this village is called Palaiyandr-Alangadu (...) Alang du or Tiruvalangadu near Palaiyanür. In one inscription Tiruvalangadu is said to be near Palaiyanür (8. 1. 1., Vol. III, p. 134).
* This explains why the same inscription is found both at Tiruvilangadu (Chittoor district), the native place of Vedavapam-UQaiyan, and at Tirumayapam (Tanjore district) where the lands presented to him were situated.