Epigraphia Indica Vol 25

SR No.: 032579
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sten Konow, F W Thomas
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1939
Total Pages: 448
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 23 MB

Page 298

No. 25.]
CHARALA PLATES OF VIRARAJENDRADEVA: SAKA 991.
251
did not perhaps lead an independent expedition against the island during his very short reign and may be presunied to have participated in his father's campaign only. No records attributable to Virarājēndra have, however, been found in Ceylon. Ais campaign against Kadāram.
Another overseas victory is claimed for Virarājēndra over Kadāram. In the later historical introduction of the 7th year commencing with * vīra mēy-tunaiyāgarum' this achievement is introduced between the second invasion of Vēngi in A.D. 1067 and the last campaign of Virarājēndrs that we know of, which was directed against Sõmēsvara II (A.D. 1068). As his father RājēndraChõļa I claims to have invaded Kadāram himself by about A.D. 1026, it is possible that Virarājēndra, as a young prince, had accompanied the Chāļa army in that campaign also. Such a campaign to the distant Kaļāram towards the close of Virarājēndra's reign appears problematical and has to be confirmed only by future researches. The express statement that the Chola king conquered Kadāram and gave it back to the (Kadāra) king who had supplicated him, seems to imply that an expedition, at least under an able general though not personally led by tbe king himself, may have been sent against this far eastern country in aid of his ally. If it was an accomplished fact of his reign, it may have taken place in the beginning of A.D. 1068. The friendly relationship between the Chola and the Kadāram kings seems to have been continued down to the 20th year of the reign of Kulõttunga-Chöļa I (A.D. 1090), when two messengers (dütar) of the Kadāram king came to the mainland to obtain from the Chola monarch some concessions on behalf of the Bauddha-vihāra at Negapatam.
Thus Virarājēndra's short reign was a period of strenuous military effort to keep up the weakening Chola power and prestige to some extent. The several campaigns of his reign may thus be briefly reviewed, in their probable chronological sequence :
(1) the first campaign against Gangapāļi in A.D. 1062; (2) the first invasion of Vēngi in A.D. 1063; (3) the first battle of Kūdal-Sangamam in A.D. 1064 ; (4) the southern expedition against the Pandya and Chēra in A.D. 1065 ; (5) the battle on the bank of an unspecified river in A.D. 1066 ; (6) the clash with the Chāļukyan army at Kāndai (or Karandai) 'near Küďal-Sangamam in
the middle of A.D. 1067; (7) the second invasion against Vēngi, the battle of Vijayavāda and the restoration of
Vēngi to Vijayāditya before September A.D. 1067 ; (8) the expedition against Siṁhalam in the end of A.D. 1067 ; (9) the overseas campaign to Kadāram in the beginning of A.D. 1068 ; (10) the third expedition against Vēngi and the battle of Kondai in about February
A.D. 1068 ; (11) the campaign against the Western Chāļukya Sõmēsvara, the burning of Kampili and
the erection of a pillar of victory at Karadikkal in April A.D. 1068 ; and the instalA lation of Vikra māditya VI in a portion of the Western Chalukya dominions; and (12) the battle of Gutti in about the end of A.D. 1068, wherein Virarajendra suffered
defeat at the hands of Sõmēsvara II.
1 See also ante, Vol. XVIII, p. 332 and f. n. 2. The Archæc logical Commissioner of Ceylon has kindly informed us that there are no inscriptions of Virarajendradeva in Ceylon. 8. 1. I., Vol. III, p. 203.
• The conquest of Kadāram (Keddah in the Srivijaya kingdom located in the Malay Peninsula) by RajendraChola occurred about his 13th year corresponding to A.D. 1026. As Virarājēndra lived up to A.D. 1069, he may have been a young prince capable of participating in a military expeditica, 43 years earlier. . Ante, Vol. XXH, p. 268.
Ep. Carn., Vol. VII, Sk. 136.