Who is Karikala Chola?
In ancient and medieval times, Karikala Chola was a legend and a historical figure associated with the Chola dynasty, which was a powerful South Indian dynasty that dominated a significant portion of the Indian subcontinent during the ancient and medieval periods. Traditionally considered to be one of the greatest Chola kings of all time, Karikala Chola is often celebrated for his military prowess and his contribution to the expansion of the Chola Empire during his lifetime.
The inscriptions and literature of the Tamil language suggest that Karikala Chola reigned during the Sangam period, roughly dated from the third century BCE to the third century CE, which is roughly based on the Tamil literature and inscriptions of the time. It is however difficult to establish exact dates for the period during which he ruled, and the lack of reliable contemporary records can make establishing historical accuracy challenging.
A particularly important work of Karikala Chola is the construction of the Grand Anicut, or Kallanai, which is an ancient dam spanning the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu, India, which has been dubbed the grandest dam in the world. This dam was built in order to regulate the flow of the river and facilitate irrigation, showcasing in this way the king’s administrative and engineering abilities.
Despite the fact that the historical details of Karikala Chola are somewhat obscure due to the passage of time and the limited number of records available, he remains an important figure in South Indian history, and his legacy is preserved in Tamil literature as well as inscriptions.
Karikala’s early life:
Karikala was the son of Ilamcetcenni. Karikala’s name is held to mean “The man with the charred leg.” In the early years of his life, Karikala might have been involved in a fire accident that caused him to be born with a charred leg, which could explain the origin of his name.
According to some scholars, Karikala’s name may also be interpreted as “The Slayer of Elephants.” Now let us hear about a famous legend about him.
Once upon a time in Uraiyur, King Ilamcetcenni married a princess from Azhundur, who soon gave birth to Karikala. Sadly, the king passed away shortly after. Because Karikala was still young, people overlooked his claim to the throne, causing chaos in the kingdom. They kicked him out, sending him into exile.
But luck turned around. When things settled down, loyal Chola ministers sent out a royal elephant to hunt for the missing prince. The elephant found him hiding in Karuvur! Unfortunately, Karikala’s enemies got wind of it and threw him into jail. That night, the prison sprang up in flames, but Karikala managed to escape, thanks to his uncle Irum-pitar-thalaiyan.
Despite the ordeal, Karikala emerged victorious. His leg got burnt in the fire, giving him his new name. And thus, the legend of Karikala was born.
The Battle of Venni
According to Puranaanooru (A classic Tamil literary work.) Karikala Chola fought a war against the Pandyan and Chera kings where the Pandyan and Chera kings suffered defeat at the hands of Karikala Chola. 11 Minor Chieftains also sided with the Pandyan and Chera kings. They too suffered defeat at the hands of Karika Chola. The Chera king later committed suicide by starving himself after the battle.
This was a turning point for Karikala Chola as he defeated all the people who sided against him. After the battle, Karikala’s place on the throne was firmly established.
Many would come later, claiming their descent from Karikala Chola and promising to bring back the Chola’s glory. One man would rise amidst conflict and seizing the opportunity would resurrect the Chola Empire and so began the reign of the Medieval Cholas.