Rajaraja Chola III

Rajaraja Chola III (reigned c. 1216–1246 CE) was one of the later rulers of the Chola dynasty, which had dominated southern India for several centuries. His reign marked a period of political decline and territorial disintegration for the once-mighty Chola Empire. Though he ruled for about thirty years, his era was characterised by internal instability, invasions from neighbouring powers, and the diminishing influence of Chola authority across the Tamil region.

Background and Accession

Rajaraja Chola III was the son of Kulothunga Chola III, one of the more powerful emperors of the late Chola period. Kulothunga III had managed to maintain the prestige of the Chola state through effective administration and military campaigns. However, by the time of Rajaraja III’s accession around 1216 CE, the empire was facing both internal and external challenges.
The Pandyas, Hoysala, and Chera kingdoms were regaining strength, while the central administration of the Cholas had weakened due to overextended territories and diminishing resources. The balance of power in South India had begun to shift, and Rajaraja III inherited an empire already showing signs of decline.

Early Reign and Pandyan Invasion

Soon after his accession, Rajaraja Chola III faced a major challenge from the Pandyan kingdom under Maravarman Sundara Pandyan I. The Pandyas had revived their military strength and sought to reclaim territories in southern Tamil Nadu that had been under Chola control.
In 1216 CE, Maravarman Sundara Pandyan I invaded the Chola country, defeated Rajaraja III, and captured Tiruchirappalli. The Pandyan forces advanced towards the Chola capital, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, forcing Rajaraja III to seek assistance from the Hoysala Empire under Vira Narasimha II.
The Hoysalas, who were emerging as a major power in southern India, intervened militarily, driving the Pandyas back and restoring Rajaraja III to his throne. However, this also marked the beginning of Hoysala influence over the Chola kingdom, reducing the latter’s independence.

Relationship with the Hoysalas

Following the intervention, Rajaraja III became effectively subordinate to the Hoysala rulers. The Hoysalas stationed their troops in Tamil regions and maintained control over parts of the Chola territory.
Later, under Vira Someshwara, the Hoysala overlordship strengthened further. Rajaraja III’s reign became increasingly dependent on Hoysala support for maintaining order, which led to the decline of Chola sovereignty. His rule is thus often described as one under nominal independence, where real power rested with external allies and local feudatories.

Decline of Central Authority

The authority of Rajaraja Chola III was weakened not only by external threats but also by internal instability. Feudatories, such as the Kadava chieftains of Kudalur (Cuddalore region), Banas, and Sambuvarayas, asserted autonomy, frequently ignoring royal directives.
The Kadava chief Kopperunjinga, in particular, became a formidable adversary. He defeated and captured Rajaraja III around 1230 CE, demonstrating the extent of the emperor’s vulnerability. The captive king was later released after Hoysala intervention, but the incident deeply humiliated the Chola court and symbolised the erosion of royal prestige.

Administration and Domestic Affairs

Very little is recorded about administrative achievements during Rajaraja III’s reign. The once-efficient Chola bureaucracy had become fragmented, and the empire’s resources were largely directed toward maintaining defence and political alliances.
Nevertheless, inscriptions from the period indicate that local administration in some regions continued functioning under the traditional sabhas (village assemblies) and ur (town councils). Temples remained active as centres of local governance, economic exchange, and record-keeping, although large-scale temple construction—which had flourished under earlier Chola rulers—had declined significantly.

Art, Culture, and Religion

Despite the political instability, cultural activities persisted under local patronage. The Cholas had long been patrons of Saivism, and temple endowments continued in smaller scales. Religious tolerance prevailed, as evidenced by grants to Vaishnavite shrines and Jain institutions.
The period saw a continuation of literary expression in Tamil and Sanskrit, though without the grandeur or volume of earlier centuries. Temple inscriptions of this period record donations and land grants made by merchants and local leaders rather than by the crown, highlighting the shift in economic power from the royal centre to regional elites.

Foreign Relations and Trade

By the time of Rajaraja Chola III, the once-flourishing overseas trade of the Cholas with Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and the Arab world had declined. The weakening of naval dominance, coupled with political fragmentation, limited the Cholas’ capacity to maintain maritime trade routes that had earlier supported their wealth and influence.
However, some coastal ports such as Nagapattinam and Kaveripoompattinam (Puhar) continued to operate under local control, dealing with regional trade in textiles, spices, and precious stones.

Later Years and Death

Rajaraja Chola III continued to reign nominally until about 1246 CE, though by this time, the Chola kingdom had been reduced to a small principality centred around the Kaveri delta. After his death, he was succeeded by Rajendra Chola III, the last ruler of the dynasty.
Rajendra III made attempts to revive Chola power by engaging the Pandyas and Hoysalas but failed to restore the empire’s former glory. The Chola line finally disappeared from the political scene by the late 13th century, when the Pandyas established dominance over Tamil Nadu.

Historical Significance

Rajaraja Chola III’s reign represents the final phase of Chola decline, marking the transition from imperial supremacy to regional fragmentation in South Indian politics. While his rule lacked military success or administrative innovation, it reflects the complex interplay of forces—Pandyan resurgence, Hoysala intervention, and internal feudalism—that reshaped the political map of peninsular India.
Key historical themes of his reign include:

• The loss of Chola independence and emergence of Hoysala suzerainty.
• The resurgence of the Pandyas under strong rulers like Maravarman Sundara Pandyan I.
• The rise of regional chieftains, such as the Kadavas, signifying the decentralisation of power.