The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c35.s3.11

c35.s3.11

The first historical, or semi-historical, Chola king is Karikāla (Karikkāl), who is represented by the early poets as having invaded Ceylon and carried off thence thousands of coolies to work on the embankments of the Kāvēri river, a hundred miles in length, which he constructed. He founded Kāviripaddinam, transferring his capital from Uraiyūr to the new port. He enjoyed a long reign, which was much occupied by fighting with his neighbours, the Pāndyas and Cheras. He seems to have lived in the second half of the first century of the Christian era, or perhaps in the second century. Karikāla was succeeded on the throne by his grandson, Nedumudi Killi, in whose reign Kāviripaddinam is supposed to have been destroyed by the sea. Nedumudi Killi was contemporary with Chenkuttuvan Chera and Gajabāhu I of Ceylon. The Chera king appears to have then become the leading power in the South for a short time, while the glory of the Cholas departed, not to be renewed until ages had passed.