Rajaraja Chola III - The continuing hardships
Rajaraja Chola III was the son and successor of Kulothunga Chola III. During his reign Kulothunga Chola III tried his best to restore the Chola power. However, the reign of his son Rajaraja Chola III proved to be a contrast to his reign. He ascended the throne in 1216 CE after the death of his father. By then the kingdom had reduced in size and influence. The Pandya power was posing a threat and many large territories were slipping off their hands. Rajaraja Chola III and his father Kulothunga Chola III had been exiled by Maravarman Sundar Pandya during the close of the latter’s reign. However, they were aided by Hoysala ruler Veera Ballala II who sent an army under his son Vira Narasimha II. Maravaraman Sundara Pandya made peace with the Cholas and restored their kingdom after they acknowledged his suzerainty.
POLITICAL CONDITIONS
The political scene of the South underwent a significant change during this period. The Pandyas were rising in the South and the Hoysalas in the West. The Seunas were the new dynasty who rose after the decline of the Chalukyas of Kalyani and the Telugu Cholas controlled Vengi. Rajaraja Chola III was not capable of dealing with the turmoil and hence the Chola power continued to decline. The feudatories of the Cholas took advantage of the situation and transferred their allegiance to the growing powers. There were revolts and conflicts in the Chola territories and the Kadava Chieftains of Kudalur took advantage of the growing weakness of the Chola kingdom.
THE PANDYAN INVASION
Rajaraja Chola III gave another example of his incompetency by breaking the terms of treaty with his Pandyan overlord and refused to pay the annual tribute. As a result, the Pandyan forces invaded the Chola capital and entered their capital. Hearing the news Rajaraja Chola III fled from the empire.
At this time the Kadavas who were once a feudatory of the Cholas had begun assuming independent airs under Kopperunjinga I. In order to gain significant advantage Kop-Perunjinga I caught and imprisoned Rajaraja Chola III at Sendamangalam.
The Cholas had established matrimonial alliance with the Hoyasalas since the time of Kulothunga Chola III. Later Rajaraja III married a sister or daughter of Vira Narsimha II. When he heard about the abduction of Rajaraja Chola III and the Kadava invasion, he immediately sent an aid to the Chola kingdom. The powerful Hoysala army sacked two towns of the Kadavas and prepared to siege the capital city of Sendamangalam. However, Kopperunjinga I asked for peace and released the Chola king.
At the same time the Hoysala king Narasimha himself led an expedition against the Pandyas. A battle was fought between both the forces near Mahendramangalam situated on the banks of the Kaveri River in which the Pandyas were defeated.
Although the Chola kingdom was restored, Rajaraja Chola III depended on Hoysala aid for the rest of his reign. The empire declined drastically.
DEATH AND SUCCESSION
Rajendra Chola III who was the brother of Rajaraja Chola III began to control the administration of the Chola Empire during his reign, even though he was still alive. A civil war was fought between both the brothers in which Rajendra Chola III killed Rajaraja Chola III and ascended the throne himself in 1246 CE.
