The Colas c19.38

c19.38

Turning now to an account of the reign of Rājēndradēva, whose independent rule must have commenced some time in A.D. 1054-5, his inscriptions contain, like those of his predecessor, a variety of forms of his *praśastis*. The shortest form is a summary narration of his successes beginning *Iraṭṭapāḍi* and found in his records from his second year¹⁰¹ onwards. Having much in common with this, but slightly more elaborate, is the form which begins *tiru (magaḷ) maruviya* also dating from his second year.¹⁰² But the chief *praśasti* of the reign is the long account beginning *tirumādu* (or *mādar*) *puviyenum*, first appearing in the fourth year,¹⁰³ and undergoing a revision in a subsequent edition, so to say, about the ninth year.¹⁰⁴ The main differences between the two forms in the treatment of the celebrated battle of Koppam have been dealt with in our account of that fight. The other points in which the later version differs from the earlier are: the omission of all other particulars of the Ceylon war except the mention of Vīra Salāmēghan; the definite statement that after proclaiming himself king on the battle-field in an unprecedented manner, Rājēndra returned to Gangāpurī; a slightly different account of the disposition of the administrative places held by the members of the royal family, given not at the beginning of the record as in the earlier version, but at a later stage; and an account, altogether new, of a fresh war with the Cāḷukyas.