Tirumala1 Inscriptions
By Ajit Prasad
Summary
The Tirumalai1 Inscriptions, dated to the 12th regnal year of Rajendra Chola (Suryavamsa dynasty), detail his military conquests, including the Chalukyan empire ("seven and a half lakshas of irattapadi"), the Pandya kingdom (via the "Crown of Sundara"), and territories like Kerala, Bengal, and parts of Gujarat. The inscription is located on Tirumalai Hill, a Jain site featuring a 18-foot rock-cut Neminath statue, caves for ascetics, and a temple with footprints marking the spot of Lord Vadibasimha. The temple’s name, Kundavai Jinalaya, likely honors Kundavai, a queen linked to Rajendra Chola’s lineage—either his younger sister (married to an Eastern Chalukya king) or his aunt (a Pallava queen). The village below, Vaigavur, was part of the Pangala-nadu division. The inscription aligns with Rajendra Chola’s known military campaigns and dynastic connections, though the exact identity of Sundara and other conquered regions remains unclear.
AI-assisted summary, not yet checked. Consult the original PDF before citing.
Conclusion
This analysis of the Tirumalai inscription provides critical insights into the political dynamics of 10th-century South India, particularly the contested territorial claims between Rajendra Chola and Jayasimha III of the Western Chalukya Empire. By identifying "the seven and a half lakshas of irattapadi" as a designation of the Chalukyan empire, the study clarifies a key historical ambiguity and offers a nuanced perspective on the alternating military successes and territorial disputes between these rival kingdoms. The inscription’s mention of the "Crown of Sundara" further illuminates Pandya-Chola relations, highlighting Rajendra Chola’s diplomatic and military dominance. Situated within a Jain village featuring a monumental Neminath statue and temple, the inscription also underscores the role of Jain patronage and religious infrastructure in medieval South India. The findings contribute significantly to understanding regional power struggles, dynastic alliances, and the socio-political landscape of the period.