Mr.GandikotaMay 24, 2017
TheBattle of Koppam was fought between the Medieval Cholas and Chalukyas ofkalyani around 1053-54 at a place called Koppam. The Cholas were lead byRajadhiraja Chola I and supported by his brother Rajendra chola II. TheChalukyas were lead by Someshvara I.
Background:
The reign ofSomeshwara-I was known for continuous conflicts with the Cholas. So He replacedhis capital from Manyakheta to Kalyani.
RajadhirajaChola I had a desire to suppress the Chalukyan rule in Northern Karnataka andsouthern part of Modern Maharashtra and annex them to Cholas emipire.
The Vengi(or Venginadu) is a region spread over the mandals of Godavari and Krishnadistricts of Andhra Pradesh. Vengi kept moving in the hands of Eastern Chalukyas, Western Chalukyas,Cholas, Pandyas through the history. The major conflict was risen whenSomeshwara I had planned to take control over Vengi, Someshwara-I captured itand gained short term control.
KingRajadhiraja Chola I was eager to restore Chola Power in Vengi. RajadhirajaChola defeated the western Chalukyan forces in the Battle of Dannanda (inGuntur) and Chalukyan forces were wiped out from Vengi. The forces ofRajadhiraja Chola had been successful to sack Kollipakkai, Kampilli, Pundur,Yetagiri and the Chalukyan Capital Kalyani. But before 1050 AD, Someshwara wasable to make a dramatic recovery. He was successful in driving out the Cholaforces of his capital and he carried war in the heart of the Chola kingdom. In1053-54 AD, Rajadhiraja and his younger brother Rajendra Chola II led acampaign against the Chalukyas. The fierce battle was fought at Koppam.
Battle:
Rajadhirajaled a huge army northward and ransacked the province of Rattamandalam. His armywas followed in the rear by forces under Rajendra Chola II (Rajadhiraja'sbrother). The Chalukya king Someshvara I was prepared to meet his enemy at Koppam.
The Battlestarted, Chola troops were holding the upper hand. Suddenly Chalukyan archersshot Rajadhiraja fighting on an Elephant mortally wounding him. Finally, RajadhirajaChola was wounded to death on the elephant in the Battle. He came to be knownas Yanai-mel-thunjina Devar (Theking who died on elephant). The Chola troops panicked and began to retreat.
His youngerbrother Rajendra Chola II crowned himself as next Chola Monarch and immediatelytook the command of the reserved forces and boosted the energy in Cholanwarriors. He was able to re-activate the Chola army which fought with the Chalukyaswithout getting defeated. This inflicted the heavy losses on the Chalukya armyforcing Someshvara I to flee. The result was that Cholas won the battle. ButRajendra Chola II was not able to annex any of the Chalukyan territory withthis war.
Rajendra Chola II mounted avictory pillar at Kollapura (modern Kohlapur) and returned to his capitalGangaikondacholapuram with much booty which including the Chalukya queensSattiyavvai and Sangappai. The disgrace of Koppam gave sleepless nights to Someshwara -I.
Thoughthe Cholas were successful in the battle, the king and supreme commander ofCholo's, Rajadhiraja I lost his life in the battlefield and was succeeded tothe throne by his younger brother, Rajendra Chola II.
