Arinjaya Chola

Arinjaya Chola
Parakesari
Reign 956–957 CE
Predecessor Gandaraditya
Successor Parantaka Chola II
Born Unknown
Died 957 CE
Queen Kalyani
Viman Kundaviyar
Kodai Pirattiyar
Issue Parantaka Chola II (Sundara Chola)
Father Parantaka I

Arinjaya Chola succeeded Gandaraditya Chola c. 956 CE. Arinjaya was the third son of Parantaka I and the younger brother of Gandarditya. His mother was the daughter of a Kerala prince called Paluvettaraiyar.[1] Arinjaya seems to have ruled for a very short time.[2]

Other names

Arinjaya is also referred to by the names Arikulakesari, Arikesari, or Arindama. His name is mentioned in some of Gandaraditya’s inscriptions as Alvar Arikulakesarideva.[3]

Paucity of Information

There is some confusion regarding whether Arinjaya actually succeeded Gandaraditya. Some historians doubt whether Arinjaya ruled on his own right. There is little epigraphic evidence available to give us any concrete information on Arinjaya’s rule. What we know now is partly speculative and partly informed extrapolations of known facts.[4]

Gandaraditya probably made his younger brother co-regent very early in his rule. It is also very probable that Gandaraditya did not have any heir until very late in his life. As a result he must have made Arinjaya heir apparent and paved the way for Arinjaya’s heirs to the line of succession to the Chola crown.

Personal Life

We can gather a good deal information from the epigraphs left behind by his peers. According to the Anbil plates of his son Sundara Chola, he was married to a Vaidumba princess called Kalyani, the former's mother.[5] Yet another queen was Boothi Aditya Pidari, the daughter of Tennavan Irukkuvel alias Maravan Boothi[6]. She founded the Chandrasekara temple in Tiruchendurai. This Tennavan Irukkuvel alias Boothi has been identified with none other than Boothi Vikramakesari the builder of the Moovar Koil temple.[7]

Death and Succession

Arinjaya died c. 957 in a place called Arrur, which is identified with present-day Harur in Dharmapuri district. From an inscription found near Melpadi in north Tamil Nadu, we learn that Rajaraja Chola I erected a Siva temple called Arinjisvara as a tomb-shrine in memory of his grandfather Arinjaya who was also known as "Arrur tunjina devan".[8]

Arinjaya was succeeded by his son Parantaka Chola II (Sundara Chola). Two of his wives Viman Kundaviyar and Kodai Pirattiyar seem to have survived him and made gifts to temples in Arinjaya's name during Parantaka II's reign.

Inscription

Arinjaya figures in some of the inscriptions of his father Parantaka. Here is an excerpt,

Yet another one from a temple in Tiruvorriyur is as follows,

Notes

  1. ↑ S. Swaminathan. The early Chōḷas history, art, and culture. Sharada Pub. House, 1998. p. 78.
  2. ↑ International Association of Tamil Research, International Institute of Tamil Studies (1978). Journal of Tamil Studies, Issues 14-18. International Institute of Tamil Studies. p. 53.
  3. ↑ Archaeological Survey of India, India. Dept. of Archaeology (1982). Epigraphia Indica, Volume 15. Manager of Publications. p. 51.
  4. ↑ N. Subrahmanian (1978). History of Tamilnad: To A.D. 1565. Koodal Publishers. p. 165.
  5. ↑ International Association of Tamil Research, International Institute of Tamil Studies (1976). Journal of Tamil Studies, Issues 9-10. International Institute of Tamil Studies. p. 78.
  6. ↑ Museums Association of India (1964). Journal of Indian Museums, Volumes 17-20. Museums Association of India. p. 13.
  7. ↑ D. Raphael (1996). Temples of Tamil Nadu, Works of Art. Fast Print. Service. p. 226.
  8. ↑ International Association of Tamil Research, International Institute of Tamil Studies (1978). Journal of Tamil Studies, Issues 14-18. International Institute of Tamil Studies. p. 53.
  9. ↑ T. V. Mahalingam (1992). A Topographical List of Inscriptions in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala States: Thanjavur District. Indian Council of Historical Research. p. 621.
  10. ↑ South Indian shrines: illustrated, page 57

References

  • Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1935). The CōĻas, University of Madras, Madras (Reprinted 1984).
  • Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1955). A History of South India, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002).
Preceded by
Gandaraditya		 Chola
956–957 CE		 Succeeded by
Sundara Chola
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