The Colas c21.7

c21.7

We may recognise a substratum of fact beneath the exaggerations of this conventional picture of anarchy. Though the true course of events is obscure, and the hypothesis of religious persecution leading to a political revolution rests on vague and confused tradition, it is clear that the prospect was gloomy indeed when Kulōttunga came to rule over the Cōḻa dominion. War and rebellion had raised their heads, and the southern portions of the empire including Ceylon had proclaimed their independence. Kulōttunga devoted the first few years of his reign to deal with these troubles.