#chozha

[willkatfanfromasia]

An interesting scene from ps2 and some casual history reading made me notice this

+ bonus tidbit!

The major conflict in ponniyin selvan is the succession crisis- 2 heirs with equally strong claims.

However, it isn't an isolated incident. The madhuranthakan-adithya karikalan-arulmozhivarman musical chairs with the Chola throne is a direct- if delayed- fallout from a previous, more shocking crisis.

In this scene, Vanthiyadevan and Alwarkaddiyan Nambi are pursuing Pandyan Assassins through the crowd, before they attack Prince Arunmozhi.

They manage to catch hold of few, who give them tantalizing clues.

And if that's not enough - even point out the source of attack!

Pretty dumb move, right?

Leaking your plan to the enemy before it's been executed?

Some context will clear it up- he's not leaking their plan.

He's gloating.

Reminding them of their past downfall to shame them.

The eldest son of Parantaka I, crown prince Rajaditya died in 949 in circumstances equally if not more dramatic than his grandnephew aditha Karikalan.

In the Battle of Thakkolam, rajaditya was seated atop an elephant when an arrow from the Rashtrakuta forces killed him on spot. This must've certainly killed morale in the Chola camp leading to their defeat. Rajaditya's commander, a chera nobleman called Vellan kumaran survived and became an ascetic 'chaturanana pandita'.

Rashtrakutas also occupied Thanjavur for a short period due to this, leading to internal instability. Parantaka I lived a fairly long life and died 6 years after his firstborn son. He was first succeeded by Gandaraditha (2nd son) and then by Arinjaya (3rd son) - both of whom must've been in their 50/60s leading to short tenures. Son no.4 Uttamasili was beheaded by Veera Pandyan.

After son no.2 the primogeniture (succession based on birth order) doesn't matter as everyone wants a chance.

The age reversal among the sons of these 2 emperors causes more confusion- Sundara(Arinjaya's son) is older than Gandaraditha's son.

Bonus tidbit :

in this YT video, author of the controversial 'sangathara' novel, kalachakram narasimhan answers a question saying that while Nandini herself is fictional, representing the chola-pandya dynamics, the character maybe inspired by nandipurathu Valli, a noblewoman and daughter of commander vellan kumaran, who apparently was in love in Prince Rajaditya.

Curious, I read the novel, but that's for another day😌🌚

@celestesinsight @thereader-radhika @ambidextrousarcher @harinishivaa @vibishalakshman @sowlspace @whippersnappersbookworm @deadloverscity @favcolourrvibgior @thelekhikawrites @nspwriteups and anyone else interested !

[willkatfanfromasia]

Book review – Sangathaara

A book who’s reputation precedes it.

Based on the same topic as an already epic novel, this book accomplished the hard task of being an interesting read. The lack of an English translation is very disappointing

It is a historical mystery with politics and drama interspersed.

It primarily tries to answer the questions surrounding Aditha karikalan's life and death.

For starters it is just 1 volume instead of 5. The author’s (kalachakram narasimhan) writing style (perhaps intentionally) gives glimpses of his former career as a journalist. The story and pacing keeps the reader engrossed-slow enough to reel you in but fast enough to prevent boredom.

It is the content, however, that has left the audience split. The book starts off with aditha Karikalan ‘s spectre lamenting that he hasn’t received justice even after 1000 years- that his killers haven’t been found. We can’t help but quip- but they have been found! In the inscriptions. The author (via AK) argues that the ‘killers’ held important titles in the chola court (“bramadhirayan”) and termed as traitors (how can pandyas be traitors to cholas?). Most suspiciously, their punishment seems neither grave or memorable for a crime of this magnitude.

Several decades into the future, a daughter of Sundara chola with his second wife who'd become a Buddhist monk, dies leaving behind memoirs to her nephew Rajendra Chola. The latter tasks his daughter Arunmozhi nangai with reading them for him - with horrifying reveals for both.

The actual tale begins with kundhavai’s “coming of age” ceremony at the twilight years of her great-grandfather Parantaka 1’s reign. Ambitious kundhavai and Aditha karikalan have great dreams fuelled by youthful vigor.

A teen boy raging to kill his clan's mortal enemy and a teen girl desiring more than her lot in life.

The empire is threatened by Pandyas, Lankans and Srivijaya may too join them. Anirudhdhar, Pazhuvettarayar are frustrated that their new emperor Gandaraditha has no interest in war. They plot to waylay the ship carrying the young Srivijayan princess Vijayarekha and betroth her to AK. This young girl is already engaged to a prince of purasanga (Malaysia?) and loathes her kidnapping.

A handsome young diamond merchant from Purasanga and a young warrior from a fallen Kingdom both enter the empire. The former swiftly rises up the ranks of chola nobility through an advantageous marriage and draws kundhavai’s curiosity by claiming to be the descendant of an elder Chola line. He also claims to possess important ritual artefacts (conch, parts of a plant) used in coronations of ancient Chola’s (adicholar) that kundavai is determined to anoint her brother with. The latter youth, desolate from his kingdom's fall, gains AK’s trust and married kundhavai. (Surprise surprise!)

Pazhuvettarayar, Aniruddhar and kodumbalur vellalar try to steer the rulers.

A prominent devadasi grapples with a wealthy admirer’s attention as her own past and future are questioned.

Ravidasan is given an interesting chola link to weave him into this chaos. His condemnation is also added into this mix.

The author blends a legend about ancient Chola’s artefacts with the ambitions of 10th century South India.

But why the controversy? You may ask.

This book has irked keen fans of Ponniyin Selvan, due to it’s contrasting portrayal of some beloved characters.

- Kundhavai and Vanthiyadevan are NOT good guys. They have individuals agendas.

It builds up slowly and believably within the story’s context – but best not to consider it truth.

A few reviews have pointed this out- the author’s writing style and the book’s preface claim journalistic veracity (the book’s full of footnotes) yet it has the same creative liberties as ponniyin Selvan

- Parthibendran, a fictional character, makes a short appearance.

- There’s a Nandini esque character in this book too (linked to the details in this post ). And the author gives her an unhappy end. He equates her with a real person

- Pazhuvettarayar is cleared of responsibility for AKs murder as he is his greatgrandpa/ great uncle? – but the book goes on to portray other characters as capable of killing their flesh and blood. (This happens a couple of times)

- Gandaraditha’s characterization is – uhm- a choice, alright. As a story it was acceptable (within this universe) but its murky when you realise it’s based on a real person.

- There’s a baby swap in this too. Amv and Madhurantakan's parentage is given a shocking explanation. I may reveal in the comments if y'all want it.

The author has a thorough knowledge of chola art and inscriptions, as well as the many feuds that took place over several generations, weaving them artfully as contributors to the final outcome.

A thozhi (confidant) of kundhavai -thettakani- becomes an important observer due to her proximity to key events. A neutral character in a book full of people with ambitions.

@celestesinsight @thereader-radhika @ambidextrousarcher @harinishivaa @vibishalakshman @sowlspace @deadloverscity @favcolourrvibgior @thelekhikawrites @nspwriteups and anyone else interested !

[achinthyananayakkara]

Cholan Inscriptions from Sri Lanka, at Colombo Museum

These photos are of 3 Chola inscriptions from 10th/11th centuries AD, from the Colombo National Museum. Although from SL, they are Chola, which also makes them heritage of Tamil Nadu too. Tamil Nadu and SL during mideaval and ancient times had amazing histories and heritages. (Courtesy of Colombo Museum)

The above '2 inscription 1 pillar' inscription, "refers to an endowment for the burning of the perpetual Lamp at Teruviramesvaram at Matota [Mannar] by a dignitary serving under king Rajendra Cola (1012-1044 AC). Three merchant had accepted responsibilties for the endowment". The Cholas had control over the three key seaports at Mannar, Jaffna, and even Trincomalee (Thirukkomalai/Thrikunaamalai), which is a huge leg-up in the Indian Ocean. The Merchant Guilds were an integral part of Chola way of doing things.. there are coins of Nanadesin and Ayinurwur merchant guilds even as south as Hambanthota, and this inscription depicts that aspect, that merchants were given key responsibilities.

The above inscription states the construction of the Buddhist stupa and monestary, under rule of Chola viceroy is significant.. as it's evidence of Anuradhapura being administered well. Although the Cholas used great violence and harsh means to expand and retain influence in SL, Chola empire had a very advanced and efficient Vaalanadu-Oor system of administration, and administered as such. The book "Tamils in Sri Lanka, a Comprehensive History" by Dr Murugar Gunasingham, which I had as a kid, states that when Polonnaruwa kingdom got independence from Chola empire, King Vijayabahu still employed the same lower leval Chola beaurocracy for the first 30 years of his reign. And that it was also within Chola rule that the capital shifted from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa, to be closer to Trincomalee. Part of why Polonnaruwa was so successful was that it was built of what the Cholas left behind, after the decadence of late Anuradhapura. Rajarata rebounded fine if not better after Chola rule, and only after Kalinga invasion did Rajarata era ended 200 years later.

And finally, the above inscription from Thirukethishwaran, is to commemorate the construction of a Rajaraja Ishwaram. Couldn't pinpoint where it was though. In SL, we have the Pancha Ishwarams ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancha_Ishwarams ), which have been here since ancient times, so it might be one of them or maybe not. I hope this context helps with these Chola inscriptions.. 9th to 12th centuries AD were interesting times.

Originally posted to r/TamilNadu as u/The_Cosmic_Learner

Achinthya Nanayakkara

26.03.2025

[willkatfanfromasia]

Probably gonna post sangathaara book reviews in a couple of days