Vikrama Chola

Vikrama Chola விக்கிரம சோழன்
Parakesari
Chola Territories c. 1126 CE
Reign	c. 1118 – c. 1135 CE
Predecessor	Kulothunga Chola I
Successor	Kulothunga Chola II
Died	1135 CE
Queen	Mukkōkilānadigal Tyagapataka
Issue	Kulothunga Chola II
Father	Kulothunga Chola I

Kōpparakēsarivarman Vikrama Chola was a 12th-century king of the Chola empire. He succeeded his father Kulothunga Chola I to the throne in 1120 CE. An inscription of his (beginning with Pumagal Punara, etc.-) from Sidlaghatta in Karnataka mentions the Saka date 1042. Another from the same location also mentions the Saka date and also gives him the title Rajaraja.

Vikrama Chola was the fourth son of Kulothunga Chola I. He was a younger brother of Vira Chola who was the third son of Kulothunga I. The Tamil inscriptions of Vikrama Chola confirm that he left the north for the south before he was crowned king.

Vikrama Chola was crowned as the heir-apparent by his father early in his life. He was appointed as viceroy of the Vengi province in 1089 C.E., succeeding his brother Rajaraja Chodaganga. Vikrama during his tenure successfully managed to check the ambitions of the Western Chalukya Vikramaditya VI on the Vengi kingdom.

In 1118 C.E., the aging Kulothunga recalled Vikrama Chola from Vengi to appoint him as his co-regent. He assumed many of the titles of his father including Rajakesari when he was a co-regent. He seubsequently switched to Parakesari when he ascended the throne. This apparently took place on 29 June 1118 C.E. Vikrama continued to rule alongside his father until the latter's death in 1122 C.E. However the Western Chalukyas, utilising the opportunity of proper leadership in Vengi, invaded and captured the Eastern Chalukyan provinces.

While he was still a crown prince, Vikrama led an expedition to the Kalinga country on behalf of his father (1110 C.E.). The Kalinga war is also referred to in the inscriptions and in the epic Vikkiramacholan Ula. Here is an excerpt of his inscription(Grantha and Tamil) from Chintamani, Karnataka mentioning the decimation of Kalinga while he was still a co-regent of his father. The same inscription also mentions the conquest of Kadal Malai, the seaport at the very edge of Mahabalipuram. Generally his inscription begin with-svasti sri Pū-mādu Punara Puvi-mādu valara Nā-mādu vilanga..: