The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c13.s2.t3.1

v2.c13.s2.t3.1

The reign of Rājarāja, which had thus begun inauspiciously with a civil war, was throughout a period of continuous political unrest. During his long rule of forty-one years he was constantly beset with difficulties and had more than once to flee the country, unable to withstand the opposition of his enemies. His half-brother Vijayāditya, though vanquished in fight, never gave up his designs upon the throne, and was unceasing in his efforts to bring about the downfall of his rival. The first few years of Rājarāja’s reign after his coronation appear to have been peaceful; but he became involved once again about A.D. 1030 in a struggle with Vijayāditya who drove him out of the kingdom and crowned himself king on 27 June A.D. 1031, assuming the official name of Viṣṇuvardhana Vijayāditya.¹ The circumstances under which Vijayāditya managed to oust his brother and seize the throne are shrouded in mystery. He had probably received help from the Western Chālukya court, where he later found asylum. How long after his coronation Vijayāditya managed to keep himself in power, it is not possible to discover; but an inscription at Bhīmavaram in the Cocanada tāluk of the East Godavari district which is dated in Rājarāja’s 16th regnal year (A.D. 1035) shows clearly that some time before that year he returned from exile and recovered his kingdom.²