Kulothunga Chola II

Kulothunga Chola II
இரண்டாம் குலோத்துங்க சோழன்

Chola territories c. 1150 CE
Reign	1133–1150 CE
Title	Rajakesari
Capital	Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Queen	Tyagavalli Mukkokilan
Children	Rajaraja Chola II
Predecessor	Vikrama Chola
Successor	Rajaraja Chola II
Father	Vikrama Chola
Born	Unknown
Died	1150 CE

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Medieval Cholas Vijayalaya Chola 848–871(?) Aditya I 871–907 Parantaka Chola I 907–950 Gandaraditya 950–957 Arinjaya Chola 956–957 Sundara Chola 957–970 Uttama Chola 970–985 Rajaraja Chola I 985–1014 Rajendra Chola I 1012–1044 Rajadhiraja Chola 1018–1054 Rajendra Chola II 1051–1063 Virarajendra Chola 1063–1070 Athirajendra Chola 1067–1070 Later Cholas Kulothunga Chola I 1070–1120 Vikrama Chola 1118–1135 Kulothunga Chola II 1133–1150 Rajaraja Chola II 1146–1173 Rajadhiraja Chola II 1166–1178 Kulothunga Chola III 1178–1218 Rajaraja Chola III 1216–1256 Rajendra Chola III 1246–1279

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Kulothunga Chola II was a 12th century king of the Chola Dynasty of the Tamil people of South India. He succeeded his father Vikrama Chola to the throne in 1135 CE. Vikrama Chola made Kulothunga his heir apparent and coregent in 1133 CE, so the inscriptions of Kulothunga II count his reign from 1133 CE.

Kulothunga II reigned over a period of general peace and good governance. There is no record of any warfare except for the consolidation of Chola control over the conquered Eastern Chalukyas territories, which had been won by his father.

Kulothunga II is known to have been popular as evidenced by Sekkizhar's work Periya Puranam.

Patron of Chidambaram

Chidambaram is one of those five places where Chola princes were invested with the crown. Kulothunga was a great devotee of the Chidambaram Temple to Shiva in that city, and he celebrated his coronation there. He also financed an elaborate renovation of the temple. The poem Kulothunga Cholan Ula describes in the work carried out. It is possible that this renovation work was a continuation of work started by Vikrama Chola.

Chidambaram Temple as seen in 1913.

Personal life and family

Kulothunga II preferred to live in Chidambaram rather than the royal capital at Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

His chief queen was Tyagavalli, also known as Buvanamulududaiyal. Mukkokilan, a princess of the Malayaman family, was another queen.

Of the various titles had, Anapaya was perhaps his favourite. It is found in his inscriptions as well in the poetic tribute Kulothunga Cholan Ula. He was also called Tirunirruchola.

Kulothunga II was succeeded by Rajaraja Chola II in 1150 CE.

Preceded by Vikrama Chola

Chola 1133–1150 CE

Succeeded by Rajaraja Chola II

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).