On our way home from Thanjavur after a successful research trip on the Cholas, we finally visited the Karikala Chola-built Kallanai (DAM).
The greatest of the Cholas of the Sangam period was the Karikala Chola known as Peruvalathan who had his headquarters at Urayur near Trichy. This Karikala Cholan is mentioned in many literary songs like Pattinapalai, Kalingathu Barani, Perunaratuppa, Pashmozhi Nanuru. His father Ilanchetchenni was a great hero. There is evidence that his father named Ilanjetchenni led and defeated the Mauryan army led by Ashoka who had come to wage war on Tamil Nadu, along with Pandyan and Chera forces.
One of the Cholas of the Sangam period, Karikala Chola, there is no clear evidence either through inscriptions or through aritifacts archaeological remains. On the other hand, more information is available through the literary songs written in praise of him in Olaisuvadi (palmleave writing)This shows that the custom of stone inscriptions was not in practice during the Sangam Cholan Period.
One of the most talked about events in the history of the Chola period is the Battle of Venni. We know through literary songs that he defeated the Pandyas and Cheras in Venni and won a great victory. It is also said that Cheralathan gave up his life by fasting because of the villumpun (wound at his back which is considered a disgrace to a warrior). Apart from that, historians say that Karikala Chola defeated all the nine small land kings and won.
There are two reasons why the great warrior Karikala Chola got this name. Two other reasons are put forward by the historians that the prison in which this Karikala Chola was kept was set on fire, and then his uncle Iruddaithalaiyar saved Karikala Chola from the fire but because his leg was burnt in the fire and later he was called Karikala Chola (man with burnt leg) and the other explanation of the name Karikala Chola means one who is equal to the strength of an elephant.
During the Karikala Chola period, when the Chola country had no king, they used a different method to elect a king for the Chola country. It is declared that the person on whose neck the Royal elephant wears the garland will be chosen as the king of the Chola country. It is also said that the elephant then put a garland around the neck of Karikala Chola and chose him as the king of Chola
Karikala Chola is estimated to have lived in the second century AD. During the reign of this Karikala Chola, he did countless great things. In addition to this, the historical songs about Karikala Chola tell us that he conquered the northern countries and went to the Himalayas and planted his tiger flag.
On our way home from Thanjavur after a successful research trip on the Cholas, we finally visited the Karikala Chola-built Kallana.
During his reign, the huge stone monument the Kallanai DAM built across the Cauvery River continues to proclaim his fame to the world even after two thousand years. The stone is 329 meters long and 20 meters wide and very solidly built. It is now one of the oldest dams in the world. Two thousand years ago, when there was no technological development, how he was able to reduce the speed of the raging river and build such a huge dam across the river, it is amazing to think of his ingenuity in diverting the waste water from the sea to agriculture.
Our Karikala Chola has created a green revolution in the Chola country through this stone. This stone is the biggest evidence that there was a very knowledgeable person named Karikala Cholan in this Tamil Nadu.
Through this stone, he has given the theory of soil and water management to this world. A small bell hall has been constructed by the government for such a Cholan of our Karikala period. There is a huge statue of our Chola of our Karika period sitting majestically on an elephant carrying a sceptre. There is no doubt that every Tamilian’s heart will be proud when he sees it. On this page, I have uploaded photos of Karikala Cholan Kallanai so that you can see and know. See you again in the next post.