The existence of this king is scientifically confirmed and is known either from religious literature such as Periyapuranam, semi-biographical poems of the later Chola period as well as temple, copper plate and cave inscriptions.

Description

Hultzsch suggested that some Parakēsari inscriptions from such distant places as Kāñcīpuram and Śucīndram may be assigned to Vijayālaya; though naturally on may doubt if he became so powerful as to leave stone inscriptions over so extensive a territory at such an early stage in the rise of the Cōḷas, evidence is increasing that this king was really powerful, and in a record of his third year from Viracōḷapuram in Tirukōyilūr taluq of South Arcot he is clearly described as Tañjai-koṇḍa parakēsari, Parakēsari the captor of Tanjore. Some of the parakēsari record near about Tanjore are unquestionably his. In a record of the fifth year of Vikrama Cōḷa from Kiḻpattūr in the North Arcot district, there is a specific reference to a stone inscription of the fourth year of Vijayālaya. Possibly Vijayālaya, though a vassal of the Pallava ruler, still dated records in his own regnal years —a privilege exercised by certain vassals at all times and by all of them when the power of their suzerain was on the decline.

1

Genealogical relationship

The following illustration provides an overview of the family relationships:

Genealogy Vijayalaya Chola

Genealogy Vijayalaya Chola

Informations

Preamble: Tañjai-koṇḍa koparakēsari – King Parakesari who captured Tanjore

Title: Parakesari

Year of birth: c. 847 CE

Place of birth: Ottriyur (Tiruvottiyur)

Year of death: c. 884 CE

Place of death: Srikalahasti at Tirupathi

Reign: from 847 until 871 CE2

Seat of government: Thanjavur

Predecessor: no name available

Successor: Aditya Chola I.

Father: no information about his father

Mother: no information about his mother

Wives: Anaghavati [?]

Children: Aditya Chola I.

Era: Chola period

Time period: Medieval Cholas

Pictures

no picture available

no picture available

  1. Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta, The Cōḷas, 1955, pp. 110-111
  2. Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta, The Cōḷas, 1955, pp. 111-112