Rajaraja Chola II
| Rajaraja Chola II இரண்டாம் இராஜராஜ சோழன் |
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| Parakesari | |
Chola territories during 1170
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| Reign | 1146–1173 |
| Predecessor | Kulothunga Chola II |
| Successor | Rajadhiraja Chola II |
| Died | 1173 |
| Avanimulududaiyal Bhuvanimulududiyal Ulagudai Mukkokilan |
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| Father | Kulothunga Chola II |
Rajaraja Chola II succeeded his father Kulothunga Chola II to the Chola throne in 1150. He was made his heir apparent and coregent in 1146 and so the inscriptions of Rajaraja II count his reign from 1146. Rajaraja's reign began to show signs of the coming end of the great dynasty.
The extent of the Chola territories remained as it were during Rajaraja's predecessors. The Vengi country was still firmly under the Chola rule.
The Chola central administration did show weaknesses with regard to their control and effective administration over the outlying parts of the empire, which became pronounced towards the end of Raja Raja-II's reign. However, Raja Raja-II regained adequate control of provinces like Vengi, Kalinga, Pandya and Chera territories. He probably even invaded Sri Lanka as is explained in one of the Tamil poems written during his time. This is borne out by the fact that not just Raja Raja-II, but also his successors like Kulothunga-III bore titles like Tribhuvana Chakravartin attesting to their military capabilities and cultural achievements.
During the last years of Rajaraja's reign, a civil unrest as a result of a succession dispute convulsed the Pandya country, further weakening Chola influence there. This was only to be expected as even though the Pandyas were subjugated by the Cholas since the time of Aditya I and were firmly controlled until the time of Virarajendra, the Madurai kingdom nevertheless kept making efforts from time to time, for gaining their independence from their occupiers. Later Pandyas like Maravarman or Maravaramban Sundara Pandyan, Jatavarman Vira Pandyan and Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan steadily went on increasing their power and prestige and were to emerge as the most powerful kingdom in South India during the period 1200–1300. These developments were to slowly but surely weaken the Chola kingdom, though there was a minor revival during the fairly steady rule of Kulothunga-III (1178–1218).
Inasmuch as the cholas during his time were dominant militarily is noted by some literature that mention Raja Raja's conquest and his innovative management initiatives. Here is excerpt from an inscription of his from the Rajagopala Perumal temple:
by 007
The last regnal year cited in Rajaraja's inscription is 26. That makes the last year of his reign 1173. It seems likely that Rajaraja made Rajadhiraja Chola II heir apparent and coregent in 1163. It is very likely that this was because Rajaraja Chola II did not have any direct suitable descendant to ascend the Chola throne. Rajaraja Chola II was not destined to live long. Since, Rajadhiraja himself was quite young, he would require the help of Pallavarayar to usher the young sons of Rajaraja Chola II to safety. According to the inscription, Pallavarayar took steps immediately after the death of Rajaraja Chola II for the protection of the king's children, aged one and two years. According to historian Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Kulothunga Chola III who is widely considered as the last great Chola sovereign was the son of Rajaraja II.
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