Kulothunga Chola II
இரண்டாம் குலோத்துங்க சோழன்
Chola territories c. 1150 CE |
| Reign |
1133 – 1150 C.E. |
| 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 |
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 Temple as seen in 1913.
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.
Religious controversy
Kulothunga II had a comparatively peaceful reign. His reported persecution of Vaishnavism is disputed. Chidambaram Temple, a major Shiva shrine, also houses a separate temple to Lord Vishnu and is one of 108 Divya Desams (sacred temples of Lord Vishnu). Under Kulothunga II's orders, an attempt was made to persuade the patrons of the Vishnu shrine to temporarily remove the idol of Vishnu for purpose of repairs and renovation, but this was opposed by the Vaishnava community. Kulothunga II got the idol forcibly shifted mainly so that the repair work could move forward without causing any damage to the Vishnu shrine. This opposition of Vaishnavas to the temporary closure of Lord Vishnu's temple was interpreted in some quarters as persecution of Vaishnavites, because in Hinduism closure of a temple is frowned upon, and at least a small lamp has to be lit, without which the temple is not considered fit for worship.
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.
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/
