The Colas c21.2

c21.2

The accession of Kulōttunga I marks the commencement of a new era in the history of the Cōḷa empire. At the end of nearly a century of dubious subordination to the Cōḷa empire, the kingdom of Vēṅgī now became definitely a province of the empire resuscitated by its own ruler. After Kulōttunga became Cōḷa emperor, Vēṅgī was ruled successively by his sons as viceroys, and this added greatly to the strength of the Cōḷa empire by shutting the door against the intrigues of the Western Cāḷukyas in that quarter. The first Cāḷukya-Cōḷa emperor soon overcame the troubles that threatened at his accession to bring about the collapse of the empire, and after establishing himself on his new throne, he had a long reign characterised, for the best part of it, by unparalleled success and prosperity. He avoided unnecessary wars and evinced a true regard for the well-being of his subjects. The permanent results of his policy are seen in the reigns of his successors. For about a century, until we reach the time of Kulōttunga III, the empire, though not so extensive as before, still holds well together, and there is on the whole less of the chronic warfare of the age which preceded the accession of Kulōttunga. The impossible attempt to extend the empire across the Tuṅgabhadrā frontier into Raṭṭapāḍi is definitely given up by Kulōttunga I, and he even puts up with some loss of territory in the Mysore country consequent on the rise of the Hoysalas about the close of his reign. And the loss of Vēṅgī, though serious, was only temporary, as his successors recovered most of it. The wisdom of Kulōttunga's statesmanship lay in adjusting his aims to his resources, in his not forsaking the possible good in the pursuit of the impossible better, and in his preferring the well-being of his subjects to the satisfaction of his personal vanity. He ensured for his subjects a century of peace and good government.