Kochchadaiyan Ranadhira
| Kochchadaiyan Ranadhira | |
|---|---|
| Reign | r. c. 670 – 710AD[1] |
| Coronation | c. 670 AD |
| Predecessor | Arikesari Maravarman Parankusan |
| Successor | Maravarman Rajasimha I (son) |
| Dynasty | Pandya |
| Father | Arikesari Maravarman |
| Pandya dynasty |
|---|
| Early Pandya polity |
| Early Medieval Pandyas |
|
Kochchadaiyan, known as Ranadhira, (Tamil: கோச்சடையான் ரணதீரன்)(r. c. 670 – 710 AD) was a Pandya king of early medieval south India. He was the son and successor of Arikesari Maravarman c. 640–670 CE[2][3][4] The name of the king is famously omitted in the Tamil portion of the Larger Sinnamanur Plates.[5]
Reign
[edit]Kochadaiyan Ranadhira succeeded his father Arikesari Maravarman.Kochadaiyan Ranadhira was known for his military prowess and conquests, which are recorded in historical accounts and Inscriptions. He also fought many wars and won during his reign .He had to fight many kings to gain supremacy in the south. The Velvikudi copperplates speak about his victory. Ranadhira defeated the Cheras, Cholas, Kongas, Karnatas and Ay chieftains in the battles.[6][7]
Titles
[edit]Kochadayan Ranathira bore several titles reflecting his military victories and authority over various regions. (Tennan),(Vanavan),(Sembiyan),( cholan),(king of kings ),(Madurakarunatakan),(Kongar Koamaan).and the king was also known by the title (Ranadhira), meaning "ferocious warrior". He was known as Tennan Vanavan for defeating the Cheras, Sembiyan and Cholan for defeating the Cholas, Madurakarunatakan for defeating the Karnatas(i.e.,Chalukyas ), and Konkar koman (Lord of Kongas) for defeating the Kongu country .During his reign, the dominance of the Pandya kingdom increased further.[8][9]
These titles, documented in historical records such as the Velvikudi copper plates, provide insights into Kochadaiyan Ranadhira's significant military achievements and his success in expanding the Pandya kingdom's influence across the South Indian region.[9][10]
Military achievements
[edit]Expansion into Kongu country
[edit]Chadaiyan extended the Pandya influence into the Kongu country.[4] The result this foray does not appear to have been permanent as the Kongu country is said to have been conquered by his successor also.[11][9]
Suppressing a revolt in the Ay country
[edit]Ranadhira also suppressed a revolt in the Ay country (Trivandrum-Tirunelveli). The Ay chieftain Ay Vel was defeated in the Battle of Marudur (Tiruppudaimarudur, Ambarasamudram) and had to acknowledge the Pandya supremacy.[4][9]
Asserting dominance over Cheras and Cholas
[edit]Chadaiyan is given the titles "Vanavan", "Chembiyan" and "Chola" which seem to claim supremacy over the Chera and Chola [5][9]
Victory over the chalukyas
[edit]In reign of Paramesvaravarman I, he was attacked by the Chalukyan king Vikramaditya I and seized Kanchipuram after defeating the Pallava king. According to the Chalukyan records Vikramaditya I seems to have pushed on to the south, and he was encamped at Uragapura (Uraiyur) on the south bank of the Kaveri river on April 25 A.D. 674. Where he was opposed by Paramesvaravarman I and the Pandyan king Kochchadaiyan,near Trichinopoly a battle was fought at Peruvalanallur. And the Kendur plates say that Vikramaditya I, fought with the Pandyas.We have also Supposed that Pandya king was one of the three confederates who gained the victory at Peruvallanallur. Pallava and Pandya records equally claim that, in this battle the Chalukyas was defeated.The Velvikudi copper plates mention Ranadhira victory over the Karnatas(i.e.,Chalukyas) And bore the title of (Madurakarunatakan).[12][13]Defeated the Chalukyan forces led by Vikramaditya I, in the Battle of Peruvallanallur.[14][15]Vikramaditya, despite commanding a large army, was forced to leave the battlefield.Based on these evidences, scholars such as D. C. Sircar theorize that Vikramaditya fought against the Pallavas as a subordinate of his brothers, and ascended the throne only after their deaths.[16] The term "three kings" apparently refers to the Chola, Chera, and Pandya rulers who had allied with the Pallavas.[17][18][19]
Victory over Maharathas
[edit]He is also said to have attacked and defeated the "Maharathas" in the city of Mangalapuram (modern Mangalore).[5][9]
References
[edit]- ^ "4.2.4 கோச்சடையன் ரணதீரனும், அவரது மகனும் (கி.பி. 670–765)" (in Tamil). தமிழ் இணையப் பல்கலைக்கழகம். Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ N. Subrahmanian 1962, pp. 116–117.
- ^ Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1958, second ed.) A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar. Madras, Oxford University Press. 165.
- ^ a b c Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1958, second ed.) A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar. Madras, Oxford University Press. 149-50.
- ^ a b c Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1929) The Pandyan Kingdom. London, Luzac and Company. 55-56.
- ^ Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1929). The Pandyan kingdom : from the earliest to the sixteenth century. Luzac,London.
- ^ H. Krishna Sastri, ed. (1923). Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XVII (1923–24) (PDF). Calcutta: Archaeological Survey of India. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1929). The Pandyan kingdom : from the earliest to the sixteenth century. Luzac,London.
- ^ a b c d e f Epigraphia Indica, Volume 17 (PDF). Archaeological Survey of India (hosted in Jain Foundation library). Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1929). The Pandyan kingdom : from the earliest to the sixteenth century. Luzac,London.
- ^ Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1929). The Pandyan kingdom : from the earliest to the sixteenth century. Luzac,London.
- ^ H. Krishna Sastri, ed. (1923). Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XVII (1923–24) (PDF). Calcutta: Archaeological Survey of India. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1929). The Pandyan kingdom : from the earliest to the sixteenth century. Luzac,London.
- ^ "South Indian Inscriptions_Volume 1 - Virinchipuram Temple Inscriptions @ whatisindia.com". www.whatisindia.com. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ Historical Inscriptions Of Southern INida. BRAOU, Digital Library Of India. Kitabistam,Allahabad.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ Durga Prasad Dikshit 1980, p. 121.
- ^ Durga Prasad Dikshit 1980, p. 120.
- ^ Chakravarti, N. p (1933). Epigraphia Indica Vol.22.
- ^ Historical Inscriptions Of Southern INida. BRAOU, Digital Library Of India. Kitabistam,Allahabad.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
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