Vijayanagara Series 11: How did the Cholas lose to the Vijayanagara Empire?

 

1. Chozha kingdom did not exist at that point in time. Vijaya Nagara Empire defeated Madurai Sultanate to conquer Chozha region.

• The Hoysalas were routed from Kannanur Kuppam around 1279 by Kulasekhara Pandiyan and in the same war the last Chola emperor Rajendra III was routed and the Chola empire ceased to exist thereafter. Thus the Chola empire was completely overshadowed by the Pandyan empire and sank into obscurity and ceased to exist by the end of the 13th century.

Gangadevi's Madhura Vijayam declares the Muslim rule to be the pain to the three worlds:

O mighty and brave king Kumara Kampanna! Go forth then, and without further delay uproot from my lands this Kingdom of turushkas, pain to the three worlds. Go forth my dear Lord, and securing your victory, establish One Hundred Victory Pillars in middle of the famed Rama-setu!

On the condition of Madurai under the Muslim rule, Gangadevi writes:

I very much lament for what has happened to the groves in Madhura. The coconut trees have all been cut and in their place are to be seen rows of iron spikes with human skulls dangling at the points.

In the highways which were once charming with the sounds of anklets of beautiful women, are now heard ear-piercing noises of common men being dragged, bound in iron fetters.

...The waters of Tambraparni which were once white with sandal paste rubbed away from the breasts of charming girls are now flowing red blood.

2. Chozha region under Vijayanagara did face battles and revolts from time to time.

In 1460 the Raja Purushottama Gajapati of Odisha invaded Tiruvannamalai and went upto Rameswaram.

Saluva Narasimharaya, then King of Chandragiri before becoming the empire and Tuluva Iswara Naicker, Commender in chief and father of Krishna Devaraya fought series of wars with Gajapatis.

3. Revolts in South in 1530:

When the famous emperor Krishna Devaraya was ill, there was a rebellion in Chozha country; The Prime Minister of Chozha country, Vira Narasimha Chozha (a Brahmin and a son of a Kanchipuram Bhattar and a close aid of the Empire) revolted alongwith Tumbicci Naicker of Paramakkudi and Travancore King declared independance and occupied Tamirabharani region of Tenkasi Pandyas displacing him. Malabar also declared independence.

There was a considerable delay due to change in reign and Jadavarma Pandyan of Tenkasi sought help from the new emperor Achuta Devaraya.

Achuta Devaraya made the expedition.

1. On hearing of Achuta Devarayas expedition, Vira Narasimha of Chozha region run to Travancore. With Chozhas hiding in Travancore, Achuta Devaraya made his commander Sevappa Naicker as the King of Thanjavur and it give birth to Tanjavur Naicker Kingdom. During his stay, he Achuta Deva Raya offered his Sister in law to marry Sevappanaicker. Thanjavur as well as Mysore Kingdoms were loyal to the empire till it met its end, is due to their marital alliances.
2. One of the houses who supported the dynasty, Ravillas were made Governors of country lying between Travancore to Calicut, though it did not last more than 5 decades. Currently the descendants are in Ilayarasanendal, Tirunelveli.
3. Achuta Devarayas army went with his brother in law Saluka Chinna Tirumala (brother of Patta Mahishi Varadamma) defeated Travancore and made it again as a feadatory. Pleased Pandyan Jadavarman SriVallabha offered Tenkasi Princess as Third Raja Mahishi to the emperor.
4. Achuta Devaraya expanded the “Thiruppudai Maruthur” (a temple worshipped by Karur Siddhar) temple construction on banks of Tamira Bharani to liberate him from Brahma Hatya Dosha. He did it Again at “Thiruvidai Maruthur” on the banks of Kaveri.
5. Vijayanagara Empire ended in 1646 at Vellore to Golkonda forces and Tanjore Kingdom ended in 1673 with its defeat to Madurai Naicker Kingdom over a failed marital alliance.

Source: Achuta Devarayas Military Expeditions