Rajendra III

Rajendra Chola III
Parakesari
Reign	1246 C.E. - 1279 C.E.
Predecessor	Rajaraja Chola III
Consort	Cholakulamadeviyar
Father	Rajaraja Chola III

Rajendra Chola III was the son of Rajaraja Chola III who came to the Chola throne in 1246 CE. Although his father Rajaraja III was still alive, Rajendra began to take effective control over the administration. Rajendra was a much abler king than his father and tried to stop the rapid decline the Chola kingdom was experiencing due to the incompetence of Rajaraja III.

In the end these efforts were in vain, mainly due to the cunning shift in policy of the Hoysalas, and the struggling kingdom could not withstand the vigour of the Pandyas and was eventually absorbed within the Pandyan kingdom. Rajendra III is thus the last Chola king of the once great Empire.

Attempts at recovery

As the capable prince, Rajendra could not standby and watch the influence and prestige of the empire go down the drain and began to take active part in the official duties as soon as he was installed the heir apparent in 1246. Although Rajaraja III continued to rule in name for a few more years, he was effectively sidelined by Rajendra.

By 1250 Rajendra began his strenuous attempts at regaining some of the lost prestige and started his programme of recovery. He attacked the Pandya country and killed two of five pandyan princes and made the rest "mortally afraid of him". He could not progress further due to lack of resources and time. The numerous wars that cholas fought all over the continent, during previous centuries, though very successful in meeting objectives also had resulted in steady though slow drainage of resources. Eventhough his enemies were only mediocre kingdoms, their sheer numerical strength and genuine lack of any moral guiding principles in conflict was something that needed attention. For he knew well that even nickels and dimes matter if counted enough number of times.Though a very much warlike prince , Rajendra was not having enough time and resources. He allied well with old chola allies of pallavas now led by brilliant kopperunjinganII, and actually was helped to throne against his father by the brave pallava chief..

Change in Hoysala attitude

As was in the reign of his father, Rajendra III's reign was also marked by the increasing influence of the Hoysalas in the Chola administration. The Cholas needed the protection of the Hoysalas against the aggression of the Pandya. However soon there was a marked change in the Hoysala attitude towards the Cholas.

When the Hoysala ruler Vira Somesvara noticed the growing leadership of Rajendra III and the apparent weakening of the Pandyas, the Hoysals lent their support to the Pandyas. The object of Hoysala diplomacy was plain. They wanted to keep the power balance even between the Pandyas and the Cholas and wanted to encourage both to look towards the Hoysalas for support and security.

There were repeated incursions into the Chola territories by the armies of the Hoysala Vira Somesvara whenever there was signs of Chola revival. After repeated wars for a period of three years, Rajendra III gave up all claims in the Pandya country.

Telugu Chola alliance

The differences between Somesvara and Rajendra forced the latter to look for other allies. The Telugu Cholas of Nellore had attained considerable power. During Rajendra's reign they had even expanded their territories up to Kanchipuram. They were still friendly with the Cholas and were hostile towards the Hoysalas. Between 1238 and 1250 CE, the Cholas were able to hold themselves against the enemies who surrounded their country with the help of the Telugu Cholas.

Pandyan expansion

Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I ascended the Pandya throne in 1251 CE and in him the Pandyan kingdom found a leader with unmatched ability and valour. By 1258, he had the Cholas under his control once again and forced the Hoysalas to retreat to the Mysore plateau. When Hoysala Somesvara renewed the battle, he was defeated and killed in 1264 CE. Very soon he carried his arms up north to the Telugu Cholas.

End of the Chola dynasty

This sudden rising tide of Pandya power once more brought the Cholas and the Hoysalas together. They gave battle to the Cholas and in 1279 CE, they were both defeated by Pandya Maravarman Kulasekara, the successor of Sundra Pandya.

We hear nothing regarding Rajendra's heirs or other Chola princes on the Chola throne after this date. The Chola kingdom had been completely enveloped by the Pandyan Empire. The Pandyan empire was at its height of power and prosperity and had taken the place once held by the Chola Empire.

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).
• South Indian Inscriptions - http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/