Vijayaraga
Ruler of the Chera Kingdom
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vijayaraga (fl. c. 849—895 AD), also known as Jayaraga, was a Chera ruler of medieval Kerala who reigned from c. 883/84 to c. 895 AD.[1][2] The period of Vijayaraga likely witnessed the expansion of medieval Chera influence into the neighboring Ay and Ezhimala countries (southern and northern Kerala).[2]
| Vijayaraga | |
|---|---|
| Ruler of the Chera Kingdom | |
| Reign | c. 883/84—c. 895 AD[1] |
| Predecessor | Rama Rajasekhara[1] |
| Successor | Goda Goda (or) Kerala Kesari[1] |
| Spouse | Kizhan Adikal Ravi Neeli |
| Issue |
|
| House | Chera (medieval Kerala) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Vijayaraga appears as a royal prince as early as the fifth regnal year of the Chera king Sthanu Ravi Kulasekhara (c. 849 AD).[3] Records indicate that he married Kulasekhara's daughter, who held the title Kizhan Adikal Ravi Neeli.[3] An inscription referring to this princess has been discovered in the southern Ay country.[4] It is also possible that Vijayaraga was the nephew (sister's son) of Kulasekhara.[5] Two of Vijayaraga's daughters were perhaps married to the Chola king Parantaka I.[6]
Vijayaraga was formerly identified with king Goda Ravi (r. 905/06—c. 943/44) of the medieval Chera dynasty of Kerala.[1][5]
Sources
Inscriptions
- Quilon Syrian copper plates (849 AD) — Mentioned as the royal prince (the Koyil Adhikarikal) under king Sthanu Ravi (r. 844/45—c. 870/71 AD).[3]
- Thirunandikkara inscription — inscription of a medieval Chera princess (the Kizhan Adikal Ravi Neeli), wife of Vijayaraga and daughter of Kulasekhara.[3]
- Thiruvotriyur inscription (936 AD, 29th regnal year) — inscription of a medieval Chera princess (the Kizhan Adikal Ravi Neel), wife of Chola king Parantaka I and daughter of "Vijayaraga".[3]
Battle with the Ezhimala rulers
Vijayaraga is likely the same ruler described as the Kerala king "Jayaraga" in the Mushika Vamsa Kavya, an 11th-century dynastic chronicle from the northern Ezhimala country. According to the kavya, Jayaraga married the daughter of Kunchi Varma, the Ezhimala ruler of that period.[2]
The text also states that Vijayaraga later led a military expedition to the Ezhimala country against his brother-in-law Ishana, with the opposing forces reportedly meeting on the banks of the Parassini or Kottappuzha river. It was apparently Goda Varma "Keralaketu", the son of Jayaraga, who eventually re-established an uneasy peace between the two countries, with Jayaraga receiving tribute.[2]