Battle Of Kudal Sangamam, And Vijaywada | War

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BATTLE OF KUDAL SANGAMAM(1062 AD)

Someshvara I had sent two armies, one under his general Chamundaraya, the forces met with the Chola army commanded by Rajendra Chola II at Kudalasangama at the junction of the rivers Krishna and Malaprabha River.
Another army into Gangavadi (southern Mysore territory) under his sons prince Vikramaditya VI and Jayasimha. However, Rajendra Chola II and his son Rajamahendra defeated both armies.
Chalukyan commander was killed and Someshvara’s sons Vikramaditya VI and Jayasimha were forced to flee. The battle ended with the defeat of chalukya’s and a total victory for the Chola’s. Once again Chalukyas faced the defeat and thus Someshvara I’s effort to erase the defeat at Battle of Koppam failed.

In1063, Rajendra Chola II and his son Rajamahendra died. Their death led to the coronation of Virarajendra as the new Chola king.
Someshvara I was busy reinforcing himself, militarily and diplomatically. After a few brief encounters with the Cholas including a successful Chalukya raid of the Chola capital by prince Vikarmaditya VI,
Someshvara I invited Virarajendra Chola to a battle at Kudalasangama. However, because of an incurable illness that afflicted him, Someshvara I’s and his army did not show up at the venue. After waiting for a month, Virarajendra invaded and was victorious at all fronts: Vengi, Bezwada, Kalinga and Chitrakuta (in the Nagavamsi domains)
Someshvara I, Unable to recover from his illness, committed ritual suicide (paramayoga) by drowning himself in the Tungabhadra river at Kuruvatti (modern Bellary district) in 1068.

Virarajendra Chola was one of the greatest rulers of Chola dynasty who succeeded his brother Rajendra Chola II around 1063 A.D. His reign was between 1063-1070 A.D.
He was a brave, able, wise and strong king who not only maintained the status of the Cholas but also was able to increase the Chola strength. He patronized arts and cared for temples of all deities specially lord Vishnu.
He was appointed in Eelam(Srilanka) by his father and was appointed as viceroy of Srilanka by his brother Rajadhiraja Chola. We can see that, in a span of around 18-20 years, there was a rapid succession in the Chola kings as three brothers ruled one after another.
This gave an opportunity to the enemies of Cholas as they thought that it was a perfect time for them to invade the mighty Chola empire. Their enemies include Western Chalukyas, Singhalese (Ceylon), Pandyas and even the Cheras.

Somesvara I was very easily defeated by Virarajendra Chola and he escaped from battlefield. Another battle took place between Virarajendra and Chalukyas on the banks of unknown river around 1066 A.D. In this battle Virarajendra brutally killed number of Chalukyan generals.
Soon after the second defeat in the hands of Virarajendra Chola, Somesvara I sent a message to Virarajendra to meet him at a place called Kudal on a specific date.
Virarajendra waited eagerly to face Somesvara I and teach him a lesson once again but Somesvara I did not turn up. After awaiting Somesvara’s appearance in vain for a month, Virarajendra overran the Chalukyan kingdom and planted a pillar of victory on the Tungabhadra.
Virarajendra then proceeded with his forces to Vengi with a determination to reconquer that country. A terrific battle followed on the banks of river Krishna between Cholas and Chalukyas. It was fought at Vijayawada around 1067 A.D.

Virarajendra once again defeated Chalukyas in the battle of Vijayawada and reconquered Vengi which was lost to Western Chalukyas. The generals and army of Chalukyas fled in to the jungles of north.
After the death of Somesvara I, his son Somesvara II ascended the throne around 1068 A.D. A dispute broke out between Somesvara II and his younger brother Vikramaditya VI regarding succession of their father.
Vikramaditya VI requested Virarajendra for his help to be nominated heir to the Chalukyan throne instead of Somesvara II. Virarajendra defeated Somesvara II and made Vikramaditya VI as the Chalukyan king. Virarajendra also gave his daughter in marriage to Vikramaditya VI.
Virarajendra Chola died in 1070 A.D. after a very short but extremely victorious rule. He was succeeded by his son Athirajendra Chola. He not only maintained such a vast empire but also made conquests and expanded it.