Virarajendra Chola
Chola king
1010 CE to 1070 CE
Vira Rajendra Chola (1063–1070 CE) is one of the most under-rated Chola kings, mainly because a major part of his life is spent as a subordinate of his two elder brothers Rajadhiraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola II, who along with Virarajendra Chola himself are the illustrious sons of their Chakravarti (Emperor) father, Rajendra Chola I.
It is not a practice among the Chola kings to nominate the eldest son, but the most capable (in administration of their domains as well as proving their mettle on the battlefield) as the heir to the throne.
During his early reign he grants the maintenance of a school to study the Vedas, Sastras and Grammar and a hostel is provided for the students.
A hospital named Virasolan is also provided by him for the sick.
The famous grammatical work in Tamil, Virasoliyam wis written by Buddhamitra during his reign.
Virarajendra’s reign falls in the period of the medieval Cholas when the empire is both trying to expand its boundaries and preserve its existing territories, but has appeared to stutter in its attempts because of death in his prime of eldest brother and king Rajadhiraja I and the short rule of Virarajendra's elder brother Rajendra II.
In all, the three brothers rule for between 16–20 years, succeeding one another.
This rapid succession is seen as a golden opportunity by the traditional enemies and subordinates of the Cholas, viz.
the Singhalas (Ceylon), Western Chalukya Empire, Pandyas and even the Cheras, with each adversary either trying to become free or declaring a war on the Cholas.
Ultimately, however, Virarajendra proves to be a very capable and brave ruler, who is kind and protective to his subjects.
He reimposed authority on the Chola dominions and is particularly ruthless to the old nemeses of the Cholas, both the Chalukyas and the Pandyas.
Viewed overall, especially in the context of the fact that his own rule lasts for less than 10 years, Virarajendra's is a lasting legacy in that in the short time he rules, he overwhelms every one of his adversaries, and succeeds not only in preserving Chola territories, but also makes overseas concquests in far-off lands like Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Nicobar, Sakkarakottam (around Bastar district, Chattisgarh - this is also a place governed by the next major Chola monarch, Kulothunga-I or Rajendra Chalukya, son of Eastern Chalukya King Rajaraja Narendra and thus grandson of Rajendra Chola I through his daughter Ammanga.
World
The Indian Ocean Lands
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Maritime South Asia (964 – 1107 CE): Chola Expansion, Western Chalukyas, and Polonnaruwa’s Ascent
Maritime South Asia includes peninsular India south of the Narmada River (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, southern Odisha, southern Chhattisgarh), Sri Lanka, Lakshadweep, the Maldives, and the Chagos Archipelago.
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Anchors: the Tamil plains, Deccan plateau, Kerala backwaters, Sri Lanka’s dry and wet zones, and the Maldives–Chagos island chains.
Climate and Environmental Shifts
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Monsoons remained reliable during the later Medieval Warm Period, supporting agricultural expansion in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra.
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Occasional droughts affected the Deccan interior, but extensive irrigation tanks and Kerala’s backwaters cushioned the impact.
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Sri Lanka shifted from Anuradhapura toward Polonnaruwa, continuing to invest in reservoirs and canals.
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The Maldives were increasingly tied into South Indian trade circuits under Chola influence, though still reliant on coconuts and fisheries; Lakshadweep and Chagos remained small-scale subsistence islands.
Societies and Political Developments
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Cholas (Tamil Nadu):
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Rajaraja I (r. 985–1014) and Rajendra I (r. 1014–1044) expanded across South India, Sri Lanka, and into the Maldives.
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Built monumental temples (Brihadeshvara, 1010).
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Western Chalukyas contested Deccan with Cholas.
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Kerala (Cheras): spice trade enriched port towns.
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Sri Lanka:
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Cholas annexed northern Sri Lanka (Polonnaruwa) in 993, held until local Sinhalese resurgence under Vijayabahu I (r. 1055–1110).
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Islands: Maldives under Chola influence; Lakshadweep and Chagos peripheral, integrated into maritime circuits.
Economy and Trade
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Textiles (cotton from Coromandel) exported widely.
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Spices and cinnamon central exports from Kerala and Sri Lanka.
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Cowries from Maldives circulated as currency in Bengal and Africa.
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Chola navy dominated Bay of Bengal trade, projecting to Southeast Asia.
Belief and Symbolism
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Hinduism: Chola rulers championed Shaivism, monumental temples.
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Buddhism: still strong in Sri Lanka, declining in Tamilakam.
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Islands: Buddhist traditions persisted; Hindu influence spread.
Long-Term Significance
By 1107, Cholas dominated peninsular India and maritime South Asia; Sri Lanka recovered autonomy; island chains were drawn into Indian Ocean circuits.
Somesvara’s successor, his eldest son Somesvara II, feuds with his younger brother, Vikramaditya VI, an ambitious warrior who had initially been governor of Gangavadi in the southern Deccan.
Married to a Chola princess (a daughter of Virarajendra Chola), Vikramaditya VI maintains a friendly alliance with them.
After the death of the Chola king in 1070, Vikramaditya VI invades the Tamil kingdom and installs his brother-in-law, Adhirajendra, on the throne, creating conflict with Kulothunga Chola I, the powerful ruler of Vengi, who seeks the Chola throne for himself.