A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c14.30

c14.30

The death of Rājendra II necessarily meant a lull in Virarājendra's campaigns against the Chālukya. But Someśvara I knew that the attack would be renewed and prepared to meet it on both fronts. In the east he counted on help from his vassals, the Nāgavamśi ruler Dhārāvarsha and the Eastern Ganga Vajrahasta III. He also stationed in the neighbourhood of Bezwada a strong army under Jananātha of Dhārā, a Paramāra prince in his service. In the west, he sent Vijayāditya to carry the war into the enemy country. Virarājendra soon returned to the charge as expected. The Chālukya forces suffered small defeats in Vengi, but at first the Cholas did not have any decided success. In the west, Someśvara's forces were defeated with heavy loss on the banks of a river, perhaps Tungabhadra, in 1066. But he soon reorganized his forces and sent a message to Virarājendra challenging him to another contest, fixing Kūdal-Sangamam as its venue. The Chola monarch gladly accepted the challenge and took the field. But Someśvara did not turn up though his forces had assembled at the appointed spot. After awaiting Someśvara's appearance in vain for a month, Virarājendra attacked the Chālukya army, inflicted a crushing defeat on it, and set up a pillar of victory on the banks of the Tungabhadra. He then proceeded with his forces to Vengi whither Vijayāditya had also gone earlier to organize the defence on the opposite side. A great battle ensued near Bezwada which ended in defeat for the Chālukya. Virarājendra crossed the Krishna and marched into Kalinga, where much fighting followed, and in the neighbouring Nāgavamśi principality of Cakrakūta. There, besides Vijayāditya, and Rājarāja, the son of Vajrahasta III, Vikramāditya also took part on the Chālukyan side, and prince Rājendra, the future Kulottunga I, on that of the Cholas. Meanwhile, unable to endure the illness which had prevented his keeping his martial engagement with Virarājendra, Someśvara I met his end and performed *parama-yoga* by drowning himself in the Tungabhadra river at Kuruvatti on 29 March 1068. Thus departed one of the greatest rulers of the Chālukya line. He succeeded in keeping Vengi under his control practically throughout his reign and reducing to temporary subjection two major powers of Northern India, the Paramāras and Pratihāras. In spite of many reverses he maintained the wearisome struggle with the Cholas with undiminished vigour to the end of his life. He was greater as diplomat than as warrior, else he could not have succeeded in making his influence felt by so many states and for so long, and that with a military record none too bright. He had great faith in himself and succeeded in imparting it to his many able generals, including his famous son Vikramāditya. He was not unmindful of the arts of peace; the noble city of Kalyāni was his creation.