The Colas c24.7

c24.7

For two centuries and a half after the invasion of Kṛṣṇa III, in the middle of the tenth century, the Cōḷa empire had grown in strength and prestige, and the set-back it suffered at the close of the reign of Kulōttunga I had no vital consequences and had left the somewhat diminished empire quite as strong and influential as ever. And it took a leading part in settling the succession dispute in the Pāṇḍyan Kingdom. But the disaster that followed not long after, the invasion of Māṟavarman Sundara Pāṇḍya in the closing years of the reign of Kulōttunga III, exposed the hollowness of the Cōḷa power in this period. For the first time in many generations, the Cōḷa capitals were sacked by an enemy and the Cōḷa king reduced to the position of a wandering refugee, a fate that the Cōḷas had often inflicted on their enemies. The Cōḷa king indeed regained his position, but after begging for it from his conqueror and on terms that no longer left him an independent ruler. And even this mercy was due to Hoysala aid. This was the signal for the overgrown vassals of the Cōḷa Kingdom to disregard the authority of their suzerain, and at the earliest opportunity that offered itself, either to transfer their allegiance or to declare their independence. This was the state of affairs when Kulōttunga III died, and the reign of Rājarāja III began.