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show that he was crowned king immediately after his victorious return from the battle field of Kudal-Sangama. Since the three campaigns against the Western Chalukyas in the regions of Gangavādi, Vēngi and Kūdal-Sangama find mention even in a second year record of the king, they have to be placed before A.D. 1062 which was the year of his accession to throne as calculated by Professor Kiel horn. It is therefore fairly certain that in this very year his elder brother Parakēsarivarman Rajendradēva died which gave the occasion for Virarājēndra to proceed straight from the last campaign to the capital and have his coronation ceremony celebrated along with his queen Ulagamulududaiyāļ as stated in his epigraphs. It is plain that the series of campaigns against the Western Chālukyas must have been begun by Rajendradēva and completed by Virarājēndra after the former's death. King Virarājèndra started his career, it may be noted, by making his position secure by conferring honours on his relations." Virarājēndra's dealings with Pottappi, an un-named Kēraļa king, as well as the younger brother of Jananātha and Virakēsari,' the son of the Pāņdya king Srivallabha are mentioned in a record of his fourth year, and as such might have taken place in about A.D. 1065. About the same time the Chola king being invited to fight a combat by Ahavamalla through a war messenger, advanced against him and defeated him a second time in the very field appointed by himself. Then taking a vow that he would not return before he re. covered possession of the Vēngi country, he directed his arms to that quarter, accomplished his object and thus fulfilled his elder brother's desire, and then had his anointment of victory vvjay-abhisheka) performed. 7 The Vērgi country was first invaded by Rājarāja I (9851013 A.D.) and was again overrun by Rajendra-Chõļa 18, but it appears that his successors Rājādhiraja I and Rājēndradēva did not assert their right over it. This neglect on their part to hold the reins tight in the Vangi country gave room to the Eastern Chalukyas to throw off the Chola yoke. Rajēndradēva seems to have realised the necessity of bringing this tract back under the Cholas but he died without effecting it. The Kanyakumario inscription clearly refers to this neglected patrimony of the Chöļas, won back by Virarājēndra. It says :भावभ्यां समुपैक्षितं जनपदं वंशक्रमाभ्यागतं क्रान्तं वैरिमहेश्वरैरसिबलेनोन्कलिङ्गानपि । जित्वा पत्र परंपरामतिबला हित्वा च भोतान्बहल्छीमान्बजनितिपसिः क्षेमेण तं सोन्वशात् । Before 1067 A.D., the Chola sovereign burnt the city of Kampili, set up a pillar of victory at & place called Karadikal (which must be different from another pillar set up on the banks of the Tungabhadrā as reported in our inscription), gained victories at Bezwada, got back Kannakuchchi (Kanyakubja), took the head of the Pandya, levied tribute from the Chēra, defeated Vijayabāhu and brought Ceylon under subjection. Proceeding again to the north, he defeated & number of chiefs who were fighting under the banner of the Chalukyas, set up a third pillar of victory at Sattukkal, gained victories at Chakkarakottam and Kävi and destroyed the Kalioga country.lo
1 Bee for instance South-Ind. I nars., Vol. V, No. 976. * South-Ind. Inacra., Vol. III, p. 33 and also No. 976 of 8. 1. 1., Vol. V.
Jananátha has been taken to be the king of Dhara for which there is no warrant.
• Ply considering Virakesari as the son of Srivallabha, I differ from De. Hultzach. The achievemente noted in this paragraph were accomplished by the end of Rajendradova's reigo. (See No. 20 of 8. I, I., VOL. III.)
.Toid., No. 20. • Ibid., Vol. IV, No. 839.
These additional facts are recorded in No. 82 of the Madras epigraphical collection for 1892. See also No. 30 of South Ind. Iner 8., Vol. III, and Nos. 98 of 1892 and 132 of 1902.
• That this king himself was engaged in subduing the countries of the U Hardpatha is recorded in an insorip. tion of Rajadbirija I found at Eppayiram (Annual Report on Epigraphy for 1918, p. 145.).
. Travancore Aschaological Series, Vol III, p. 148, v. 77.
4 Thou achievements are noticed in inporiptions of the 6th year of the king's reiga. Sne for instance the present cord and No. 83 of the Madras Epigraphical Collection for 1898,
