Ko Kizhan Adikal
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Ko Kizhan Adikal Ravi Neeli was a traditional title used by queens and princesses of the medieval Chera kingdom (c. 9th — early 12th century CE) in south India.[1][2] It was initially believed that "Kizhan Adikal" was a proper given name rather than a royal title.[1]
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The title continued to be used by Kerala princesses (in the Tamil country) even after their marriages to Chola princes.[3]
Records
The title appears several inscriptions discovered in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Records associated with the Cholas
- "Ko Kizhan Adikal", mother of the Chola prince Rajaditya, is mentioned in a Tirunavalur/Tirumanallur inscription (c. 935 AD, 28th regnal year) of the Chola king Parantaka I (907 — 955 AD) (EI VII, 19a).[4][5]
- The Lalgudi record of Cankaran Kunrappozhan, from Nandikkarai Puttur in Malainatu (Kerala), refers to "Cheramanar makalar" "Ko Kizhan Adikal" (queen of Parantaka).[6]
- "Ravi Neeli" or "Kizhan Adikal ", daughter of "Cheramanar" or "Keralaraja" Vijayaraga, is mentioned in a Tiruvotriyur inscription (936 AD, 29th regnal year) of king Parantaka I (Index 17 & SII III, 103).[7][8]
- "Kizhan Adikal" appears alongside her husband, king Parantaka I, in the Tiruvalla copper plates (lines 109-111) (Index A80 & TAS II, III).[9]
There is a possibility that the princesses mentioned in cases (1) and (3) are either the same person or sisters. If they were sisters, it would suggest that king Parantaka I married two different medieval Chera princesses, who were the mothers of his two sons Rajaditya and Arinjaya Chola.[10] The marriage between a Chera princess and Parantaka, c. 910 CE, is recorded in the Udayendiram plates of the Ganga ruler Prthivipati II Hastimalla.[11][1]
The velam of Kizhan Adikal ("Kizhan Adikal Velam" or "Kizhai Velam") at Tanjavur is mentioned in three Chola inscriptions.[3]
- Saranganatha Perumal Temple, Tiruchirai, Kumbakonam (5th regnal year) (SII 19, 150).[3]
- Vedaranyeswara Temple, Vedaranyam, Tirutturaippundi, Tanjore (Parantaka I, 43rd regnal year) (SII 17, 530).[3]
- Nageswaraswamin Temple, Kumbakonam (Aditya II Karikala, 4th regnal year, the mother of Rajaditya) — as "Udaya Pirattiyar Kizhan Adikal" (SII 3, 201).[2][3]
Other medieval Chera records
- "Ravi Neeli alias Kizhan Adikal", daughter of Kulasekhara and wife of Vijayaraga, in a Tirunandikkara inscription (9th century AD) (Index A7 & TAS IV, 36).[12]
- "Chatira Sikhamani alias Kizhan Adikal" or "Perumattiyar" appears in a Trikkakara inscription (953 AD) associated with Chera king Indu Goda (10th century AD) (Index A24 & TAS III, 36).[13]
- "Kizhan Adikal" is mentioned in a Tiruvanchuli/Tiruvalanjuli temple (Tanjore) inscription referring to medieval Chera rulerRama Kulasekhara (fl. late 11th century AD) (SII III, 221).[14]