Chola–Chalukya Wars

The Chalukya-Chola Wars were a series of battles that were fought from 992 CE to 1120 CE between the Chola Empire and the Western Chalukya Empire in what is now South India. Conflicts eventually exhausted as both empires, straining their manpower and material, were left vulnerable to other enemies. More than 1,000,000 people were killed due to direct or indirect consequences of the war.[1]

Campaigns

The battles were fought on two fronts: the Western Front in which the capture of Manyakheta and Kalyani were the objectives of the Cholas, and the Eastern Front which centered around Vengi which was strategic for both sides. The west saw the heaviest fighting with Rajendra Chola I leading an army of 900,000 and defeating Jayasimha II at the Battle of Maski (1019 CE – 1020 CE).[2][3][4][5][6] On the Eastern Front, Rajendra Chola led Rajaraja Chola I's army in Vengi and expelled the rulers in battle. Vengi was later the site of the coronation of Rajendra Chola's nephew following his victories in the Chola expedition to North India. Rajendra II was killed in the battle at the city of Kakkargond on the banks of Thungabhadra by Someshvara I.[7][8][9] Ahavamalla Someshwara I suffered defeats many a time at the hands of Rajadhiraja Chola, and lost his brother Jayasimha III in battle with Rajendra Chola II.[10][11]

After Rajadhiraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola II, their brother Virarajendra Chola defeated Ahavamalla Someshwara I on not less than five occasions. Virarajendra Chola also put to flight the latter's two sons, Vikramaditya VI and Jayasimha, multiple times in the battles of Kudala sangama. Virarajendra Chola also defeated the eldest son of Ahavamalla Someshwara I, and crown-prince Someshwara II in the Battle of Kampili, and spoiled his coronation ceremony.[12][13][14][15][16]

The Western Chalukyas mounted several unsuccessful attempts to engage the Chola emperors in war, and except for a brief occupation of the Vengi territories between 1118 and 1126, allied with Prince Vikramaditya VI.[17] After Vikramaditya's death in 1126, the Cholas began a slow process of encroachment over Vengi. By 1133 Vikrama Chola defeated Someshvara III in the Battle of Godavari with the help of Gonga II. Then Vikrama Chola Able to capture Vengi and recover Kolar and some other parts of Gangavadi from Someshvara III.[18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

List of decisive battles in the Chalukya–Chola Wars

References

  1. ^ Anirudh Kannisetti (2022). Lords Of The Deccan Southern India From The Chalukyas.
  2. ^ "South Indian Inscriptions- Tanjavur (Tanjore)". www.whatisindia.com. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  3. ^ Historical Inscriptions Of Southern India. Kitabistam, Allahabad: BRAOU, Digital Library Of India.
  4. ^ Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta (1958). History of South India.
  5. ^ Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta (1935). The Cōḷas. Vol. 1, to the accession of Kulōttunga I. University of Madras.
  6. ^ Yazdani G. (1960). The Early History Of The Deccan Pat I-vi (1960).
  7. ^ Karnataka Through The Ages (From Pre Historic Times To The Day Of Independence). Literary And Cultural Development Department, Government of Mysore. 1968. p. 276.
  8. ^ Thomas, F.W. (1920). Epigraphia Indica Vol.XV. The Director General, Archaeological Survey of India. p. 338.
  9. ^ Fleet, John Faithful (1882). The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency. Government Central Press. p. 46.
  10. ^ Rice, Benjamin Lewis (1930). Mysore Gazetteer. Vol. 2, Part 2. Karnataka, India: Government Press. p. 1075.
  11. ^ Yazdani G. (1960). The Early History Of The Deccan Pat I-vi (1960).
  12. ^ "Tamil Civilization: Quarterly Research". Journal of the Tamil University. 3. India: Tamil University: 134. 1985.
  13. ^ Ayyar, P. V. Jagadisa (1982). South Indian Shrines: Illustrated. Asian Educational Services. p. 471. ISBN 978-81-206-0151-2.
  14. ^ Aiyangar, Sakkottai Krishnaswami (1980). History of Ancient India. India: Seema Publications. p. 126.
  15. ^ "Chola Chalukya War Documentry (Chola Victories) | PDF". Scribd. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  16. ^ Karikala Chola (26 September 2025). Chola– Chalukya Wars.
  17. ^ Aiyangar, Sakkottai Krishnaswami. Ancient India: Collected Essays on the Literary and Political History of Southern India. p. 233.
  18. ^ Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta (2002) [1955]. A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar. New Delhi: Indian Branch, Oxford University Press. pp. 175–176. ISBN 978-0-19-560686-7.
  19. ^ Kamath, Suryanath U. (2001) [1980]. A concise history of Karnataka: from pre-historic times to the present. Bangalore: Jupiter books. p. 105. LCCN 80905179. OCLC 7796041.
  20. ^ Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age Publishers. pp. 386–387. ISBN 81-224-1198-3.
  21. ^ "Chola Chalukya War Documentry (Chola Victories) | PDF". Scribd. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  22. ^ Karikala Chola (26 September 2025). Chola– Chalukya Wars.
  23. ^ Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. The Cōḷas. Vol. 2, Part 1.
  24. ^ Yazdani, G. (1960). The Early History Of The Deccan Parts I-VI (1960).

Further reading

  • "Prabandha-Chintamani" of Merutunga
  • Vijnanesvara's " Mitakshara"
  • Kirthi Verma's "Govaidya "
  • "Ajitapurana and Sahasabhimavijaya" of Ranna
  • Bilhana's "Vikramankadeva Charitha"
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