Kulottunga I was a Chola king who reigned from 1070 to 1122 A.D. He was not a legal member of the Imperial Cholas founded by Vijayalaya Chola. He was none other than Rajendra Chalukya, prince of the Eastern Chalukyas. He did not belong to the main line of cholas but was rather a prince of the eastern chalukya dynasty. His mother Ammangaidevi, was a chola Princess and the daughter of emperor Rajendra Chola I. His father was king Rajaraja Narendra of the Eastern Chalukya dynasty who was the nephew of Rajendra chola I and maternal grandson of Rajaraja Chola I. In this article, we will discuss the Rulers of Cholas Kulottunga I (1070-1122) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Kulottunga I - Background

• Kulottunga I was a Chola Emperor who ruled for 52 years in the 11th century. He also succeeded his father, Rajaraja Narendra, as the Eastern Chalukya Emperor.
• He was one of the sovereigns who bore the title "Kulottunga," which literally means "the exalter of his race" in Tamil, succeeding his cousin Athirajindra.
• He is related to the Chola dynasty through his mother's side and the Eastern Chalukyas through his father's side.
• His accession signalled the beginning of a new era, ushering in a period of internal peace and benevolent administration.
• Kulottunga maintained diplomatic relations with the north Indian city of Kanauj, as well as with countries as far away as Cambodia, Srivijaya, Khmer, Pagan (Burma), and China. He established Chola rule over the Malay Peninsula's Srivijayan province of Kedah.
• In 1079 CE, an inscription in a Taoist temple in Guangzhou declares Kulottunga, King of Chulien (Chola), to be the supreme chief of the Land of San-fo-tsi (Srivijaya).
• Tan Yeok Seong, the inscription's editor, claims that Kulottunga ruled both the Chola and Srivijayan kingdoms. The king of Kadaram (Srivijaya) is mentioned as a vassal of Kulottunga in the small Leyden grant dated 1090 CE.
• Kulottunga, like his predecessors, was a patron of the arts and literature, and the well-known Tamil poem Kalingattuparani, attributed to poet Jayamkondar, was written during his reign.
• His records also attest to a well-organized fiscal and local administration system. During his reign, Kulottunga conducted a massive land survey, which served as the foundation for taxation.
• According to historian Nilakanta Sastri, Kulottunga avoided unnecessary wars and genuinely cared about his subjects' well-being.
• He had a long and prosperous reign marked by unparalleled success that laid the groundwork for the empire's well-being for the next 150 years.

Kulottunga I - Extent of the empire

• Under Kulottunga's 45th regnal year, the Chola kingdom remained formidable (c. 1115 CE). Except for a tenuous hold on Lanka, the rest of the empire remained intact.
• The Tungabhadra River served as the dividing line between the Cholas and the Western Chalukyas.
• The Cholas had a firm grip on Vengi, as well as Dakkina Kosala (south-west Kalinga) and parts of Kalinga (proper), including the capital Kalinganagara, the modern Mukhalingam in the Srikakulam district.
• Prince Vikrama Chola reclaimed Port Quilon on the Malabar Coast sometime between c. 1102 and c. 1118 CE.
• When Kulottunga's son Vikrama Chola, the viceroy of Vengi, left south for the latter's coronation near the end of his reign, the northern half of the Vengi kingdom appears to have slipped from his grasp and gone to the Western Chalukyan empire under Vikramaditya VI.
• According to some historians, Kulottunga also lost the province of Gangavadi, the province of the Western Gangas, to Hoysala Vishnuvardhana during this period.
• The latter appears to have attacked and defeated the Chola Viceroy, Adigaiman, who ruled over Kongu and Kannada.

Kulottunga I - Military Conquest

Kulottunga spent the first few years of his reign fighting the various wars and rebellions that had erupted throughout the empire. Apart from the remnants of Athirajendra's rebellion, there was trouble in Lanka, where the southern provinces had declared independence. Kulottunga also had to contend with the Chalukya Vikramaditya, who was never satisfied with Kulottunga's accession to the Chola throne. Kulottunga spent the first few years of his reign dealing with these problems and preparing for war.

• Kalinga Wars
  • Kulottunga's records contain descriptions of two Kalinga wars. We can deduce from the brief description of the first war that it took place during Kulottunga's youth.
  • The second and later invasion occurred after Kulottunga's fortieth regnal year and was the subject of the celebrated Tamil text Kalingathupparani by the poet Jayangondar.
  • The first Kalinga war appears to have been precipitated by Kalinga aggression against Vengi. The Chola kingdom annexed the southern part of Kalinga as a result of the war.
  • The second invasion occurred around 1110 CE and is detailed in Kulottunga's records. The reason for the war is described in the Tamil text Kalingathupparani as a response to Kalinga's failure to pay annual tributes to Kulottunga.
  • The second invasion of Kalinga was led by his general Karunakara Tondaiman, who defeated Anantavarman Chodaganga of Orissa, who was related to the Chola family, ruler of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
  • Anantavarman Chodaganga had to flee for safety, and the Chola army returned from the Kalinga campaign with vast spoils.
• War with Chalukya Vikramaditya VI
  • Kulottunga I was given the title 'Viruduraja Bhayankara,' which means "reason for the fear of Viruduraja (Vikramaditya VI), the Chalukyan prince."
  • For the majority of his reign, he was successful in maintaining the Cholas' victories over the Chalukyas.
  • Vengi was only temporarily lost to Vikramaditya VI in 1118 when Kulottunga I became ill and recalled his third son Vikrama Chola, a favourite of his, for appointing him as heir to the Chola throne.
  • When Vikrama Chola left for Gangaikonda Cholapuram from Vengi, of which he was the ruler under Kulottunga I, Chalukyan armies invaded Vengi, taking advantage of the Cholas being busy with Vikrama Chola's coronation preparations, and Vengi passed to the Chalukyas for about 4 years.
  • However, after succeeding his father Kulottunga I, Vikrama Chola quickly consolidated his position, and he, too, benefited because by 1125–26, Chalukya Vikramaditya VI himself was old, ailing, and on the verge of death.
  • As a result, the first foe to be dealt with was the Western Chalukya Vikramaditya VI, who discovered that Kulottunga was standing in the way of his ambitions to unite his kingdom with the Vengi kingdom.
  • The two kingdoms had become more closely united than ever before with Kulottunga's accession to the Chola throne. In 1075 CE, Vikramaditya led an expedition against Kulottunga.
• Sri Lanka Wars
  • While the wars with Vikramaditya were still going on, the Sinhala leader, Vijayabahu, declared himself ruler of the entire island.
  • In 1070 CE, he attacked and defeated Chola forces from his enclave in the Rohana district.
  • The territories near Anuradhapura were then occupied by Vijayabahu.
  • Kulottunga sent reinforcements, and a bloody battle near Anuradhapura repulsed Vijayabahu.
• Pandyan Conflicts
  • Kulottunga turned his attention to the south after concluding his wars with Vikramaditya VI.
  • The Pandya kingdom never accepted Chola rule, and its rulers were a constant source of contention for the Chola emperors.
  • Pandya took advantage of the turmoil in the Chola country during Kulottunga's controversial accession to reassert their independence.
  • Kulottunga could not afford to take this situation lightly, as the loss of the Pandya territories posed a serious threat to the Chola kingdom's very existence.
  • As soon as the Chalukyan war ended, Kulottunga devoted all of his energy to putting down revolts in the Pandya and Kerala territories.
• Vengi
  • While Kulottunga was in Lanka, the Tripura ruler, Yakshakanaradeva, raided the Vengi kingdom. This, however, was a raid for booty rather than an invasion for territorial gains.
  • The intruders were quickly repulsed by Vijayaditya, the Vengi king. Kulottunga delegated Vengi administration to Vijayaditya.
  • In 1076 CE, after the death of Vijayaditya, Kulottunga took over the administration of Vengi under direct Chola rule and appointed his son Rajaraja Mummudi Chola viceroy of the province.
  • Vira Choda, his younger brother, was appointed Viceroy until 1084 CE. Vira Choda was succeeded by another son of Kulottunga, Rajaraja Chodaganga, who ruled as Vengi Viceroy between 1084 and 1089.
  • As Viceroy, he was succeeded by Vikrama Chola.

Kulottunga I - Administration

• Gangaikondacholapuram served as the capital of Kulottunga. Kanchi was the next most important city, with a palace and an "abhisheka mandapam" (royal bathing hall) from which the king issued many charters.
• According to the king's inscriptions, fiscal and local administration was highly organised. He conducted a large-scale land survey, which served as the foundation for taxation.
• He promoted free trade by eliminating tolls and transit fees, earning him the moniker "Sungamtavirrton," which translates as "one who abolished tolls."
• Kulottunga abolished the previous system of appointing Chola-Pandya viceroys to the southern territories.
• Instead, the king established military cantonments to protect his interests and collect tribute, but he did not interfere with the internal administration of conquered territories, which he delegated to native chiefs and feudatories.

Kulottunga I - Religious Attitude

• Kulottunga's empire was secular in nature, and the king promoted both Saivism and Vaishnavism. The king and his family members continued to make donations to the Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram.
• He was tolerant of other religions, such as Buddhism, and renewed grants to the Chulamani Vihanra, a Buddhist monastery in Nagapattinam.
• Historians disagree on the identification of Krimikanta Chola, the persecutor of Vaishnavite acharya Ramanuja, with Kulottunga.
• One reason for this disagreement is that Ramanuja is said to have returned to the Chola kingdom from Hoysala Vishnuvardhana's court after a 12-year exile (upon the death of the Chola king), whereas Kulottunga ruled for 52 years.
• According to some scholars, Kulottunga was secular during his early and middle years and persecuted Vaishnavites near the end of his reign, succumbing to Saivite pressure.
• There is reason to believe that the king encouraged Vaishnavism in his later years, as his records show him donating to Vishnu shrines.
• In the 40th year of his reign, for example, he visited the Ulagalandaperumal temple in Kanchipuram with his two queens, Tribuhavanamudaiyal and Solakulavalli, and made benefactions.

Kulottunga I - Art and Architecture

• Kulottunga was an arts and architecture patron. Jayamkondar, the poet-laureate, is said to have adorned his court. He is credited with writing the famous poem Kalingattuparani.
• Some scholars believe that the poet Kambar was a contemporary of Kulottunga I, and that the Ramavataram was written during his reign. Others date him to Kulottunga Chola II or III's reign.
• Similarly, some believe Ottakoothar, the author of the three Ulas, the Kulothunga Cholan Ula, the Vikraman Chola Ula, and the Rajaraja Cholan Ula, lived during his reign, while others believe he lived during the reigns of his successors, Vikrama Chola, Kulottunga II, and Rajaraja II.
• Kulottunga I and his son quadrupled the size of the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple.
• The Amritaghateswarar Shiva temple in Melakadambur was also built during the reign of Kulottunga Chola I. It is known as Karakkoil, and it is thought to be the first shrine built in the shape of a chariot with wheels drawn by spirited horses.
• The temple contains a king's inscription from the 43rd year of his reign, which corresponds to 1113 CE.
• Kulottunga Chozhapuram, now known as Thungapuram, was a hive of religious activity during his reign. Because the city's streets are laid out in the shape of Madurai (square), it is known as Siru (small) Madurai.
• Kulottunga built two temples in Siru Madurai, one for Lord Siva called Sokkanathar temple and the other for Lord Vishnu called Lord Vinava Perumal Temple or Varadaraja perumal temple.
• Kulottunga also had cordial relations with the Gahadval kings of central India, who worshipped Lord Surya as their tutelary deity.
• Later, influenced by his visits to the Gahadvala kingdom, Kulottunga constructed several temples dedicated to the Sun God, most notably the Suryanar temples at Pudukkottai and Nagapattinam.

Kulottunga I - Inscriptions

• The majority of Kulottunga's inscriptions begin with the phrase "pugal madu vilanga" or "pugal sulnda punari."
• The former details his conquest of the Cheras, Pandyas, and Vikramaditya VI, while the latter is even more detailed and includes details of his early life, such as his heroics in Chakrakotta and Vayiragram, and how he came to wear the excellent Chola country crown of jewels.
• Pushya is mentioned as his birth star in an inscription from Kanchi that begins with the introduction "Pugal madu."
• Another inscription from the Tripurantakesvara temple in Chingleput district mentions the resale of some lands purchased in Virarajendra Chola's second year.
• During his early years, the king went by the name Rajakesarivarman alias Rajendracholadeva. We have an inscription from the second year of the reign of King Kolar. He is known as Rajakesarivarman alias Rajendra Chola deva, and his exploits are recounted in Sakkarakottam and Vayiragaram.

Conclusion

Kulottunga I's reign was marked by religious and literary activity. He is recorded as having made a donation to the Buddhist shrines at Negapatam, despite being a devout Saiva by faith. But he was not fond of the great Vaisyava teacher Ramanuja, who was forced to leave Snrangam as a result.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1. Discuss the role of Kulottunga I in the resurgence of the Chola Empire.

Answer: Kulottunga I played a crucial role in restoring the Chola Empire after a period of decline. By defeating internal rivals and external threats, including the Western Chalukyas, he re-established the Cholas' dominance in South India. His military success in Sri Lanka and the Deccan region helped consolidate Chola influence over a vast territory. Additionally, his efforts in administration, culture, and architecture ensured the stability and prosperity of the empire, making him one of the most notable Chola rulers.

Q2. How did Kulottunga I's reign impact the Chola dynasty's military and naval strength?

Answer: Kulottunga I strengthened the Chola military by reorganizing and modernizing the forces, focusing on both land and naval power. He also emphasized the importance of controlling trade routes, which was essential for the empire's economic success. The Chola navy under his rule continued to dominate the Indian Ocean, ensuring Chola control over maritime trade and expanding their influence in Southeast Asia. This military prowess helped maintain the stability of the empire and assert Chola dominance in the region.

Q3. Explain Kulottunga I's contributions to Chola architecture and culture.

Answer: Kulottunga I was a patron of Chola architecture, commissioning several temples, including those in the heart of the Chola territories. His rule marked the continuation of the Chola architectural style, characterized by grand temples and intricate sculptures. He also encouraged the development of Tamil culture, ensuring the preservation and growth of literature, arts, and religious practices. His contributions to culture were integral to the Chola dynasty's legacy, which influenced the region for centuries to come.

Previous Year Questions on  Kulottunga chola

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2015

Question: Which of the following Chola rulers was instrumental in consolidating the Chola Empire after Rajendra I’s rule?

a) Rajadhiraja Chola

b) Sundara Chola

c) Kulottunga I

d) Rajendra II

Answer: c) Kulottunga I

Explanation: Kulottunga I succeeded Rajendra I and successfully re-established Chola rule, ensuring its political stability and military dominance over South India and beyond.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020

Question: How did Kulottunga I’s reign impact the Chola dynasty's external relations and territorial expansion?

Answer: Kulottunga I’s reign marked a period of consolidation for the Chola dynasty. He expanded Chola control in the Deccan and Sri Lanka and established a diplomatic presence in Southeast Asia. His military campaigns in the Deccan against the Western Chalukyas and his successful control over Sri Lanka added substantial territories to the empire. Additionally, he maintained friendly relations with Southeast Asian states, strengthening trade and cultural exchanges. His diplomatic and military strategies were pivotal in maintaining Chola dominance during his reign.