Athirajendra facts for kids

Athirajendra (born 1020 CE – died 1070 CE) was a Chola king who ruled for a very short time, only a few months, around 1070 CE. He became king after his father, Virarajendra. His time as ruler was difficult, with civil unrest and possibly religious problems. Athirajendra was the last king from the main Chola family line. He died during these troubled times.

Athirajendra and his father, Virarajendra, got involved in disputes over who would rule the Vengi kingdom. This happened after the Vengi king, Rajaraja Narendra, died in 1061 CE. Rajaraja Narendra was related to the Chola family through his mother, Kundavai. The Cholas wanted to keep their influence strong in Vengi.

Chola and Eastern Chalukya Connections

Over time, the Chola family and the Vengi branch of the Chalukya dynasty became very close. This was because of several marriages between their royal families. For example, Rajaraja Chola gave his daughter Kundavai in marriage to Vimaladitya, an Eastern Chalukya king.

The Chola king Virarajendra got involved in Vengi's succession problems. This happened after the Vengi king, Rajaraja Narendra, died in 1061 CE. Rajaraja Narendra was closely related to the Cholas. The Vengi throne then went to Saktivarman II through a sudden change in power.

The Cholas wanted to bring back their influence in Vengi. Saktivarman II was killed, but his father, Vijayaditya, took the throne. He fought off the Chola attempts to remove him. However, Vijayaditya later agreed to serve as a ruler under the Cholas.

Even though the Cholas could not fully control Vengi, Virarajendra found another ally. He married his daughter to a Chalukya prince named Vikramaditya.

While these political plans were happening, Rajendra Chalukya, the son of Rajaraja Narendra, wanted to become the Vengi king. He felt that Vijayaditya had taken the throne that was rightfully his. The Cholas probably helped him in his efforts.

Rajendra Chalukya, who later became Kulothunga Chola I, was stopped by his uncle Vijayaditya. So, he created a small kingdom for himself near the Baster District in Chhattisgarh. He waited for the right moment. When Virarajendra died, Rajendra Chalukya quickly took the Chola throne.

Vengi Kingdom Struggles

The Cholas were often involved in fights over who would rule the Vengi kingdom. They would support their favorite prince against rivals. These rivals were often supported by the Western Chalukyas. Because of this, the Eastern Chalukya kingdom became a place where the Cholas and Western Chalukyas fought each other indirectly for many years. This is called a proxy war.

Athirajendra’s Death

A writer named Bilhana, from the Chalukya kingdom, wrote about the problems Athirajendra faced. This was in his book Vikramankadeva Charita. Soon after marrying his daughter to Chalukya Vikramaditya VI, Virarajendra Chola died.

When Vikramaditya heard about trouble and rebellion in the Chola country, he quickly marched to Kanchipuram. He wanted to stop the problems there. Then he went to Gangaikonda Cholapuram. He defeated the enemy forces and helped Athirajendra become king. After staying in the Chola capital for a month, Vikramaditya thought peace was restored. He then returned to his own country.

However, just a few days after he left, news reached him that Athirajendra had died. This happened during a new rebellion. The news also said that Rajendra, the son of Narendra and grandson of Rajendra Chola, had taken the Chola throne. He took the title Kulothunga Chola I. Vikramaditya immediately marched against Kulothunga. Someshvara II, the Western Chalukya king, also joined him.

Kulothunga Chola becoming king was important. It was the first time since Vijayalaya Chola that someone from the queen's side of the family became the Chola king. Other descendants of the Cholas continued to exist for many more centuries.

Possible Religious Reasons

Some people have tried to connect these internal problems in the Chola kingdom to the difficulties faced by Ramanuja. Ramanuja was a religious leader who was persecuted by some Chola kings. It is possible that the Chola king who persecuted Ramanuja and his followers was Athirajendra or his father Virarajendra.

According to a historian named Nilakanta Sastri, Krimikanta Chola, who persecuted Ramanuja, was Athirajendra. He died in a local uprising by followers of the Vaishnava religion. This idea supports an old story that says the Chola family line ended because the king was cursed for not being tolerant of other religions.