When the final procession of Aditya Karikalan made its way along the banks of the Kaveri River towards Thanjavur, hundreds of thousands of people from the Chola land joined in that cortege. The custom of honoring warriors was deeply rooted in Tamil Nadu in those days. For a time, the Chola dynasty had faded, but had we not seen it rise again since the days of Vijayalaya Chola? For a hundred years, each scion born into that lineage had surpassed the other in martial glory. Vijayalaya’s son, Aditya Varma, destroyed the fame of the Pallava dynasty and seized the land of Thondai. His son, Parantaka Chakravarti, brought the entire southern country, including Madurai and Eelam, under his rule. The four sons of Parantaka Chakravarti each outshone the other in valor. One of them laid down his life in the Pandya war. The eldest, Rajaditya, waged war at Takkolam against the mighty army of the twin-mandala Kannara Devan, which surged like the ocean, and after breaking that vast force, was treacherously slain on the battlefield, earning the epithet “the god who slept upon the elephant.” Kandaraditya, though a devotee of Shiva and a man of spiritual wealth, was no less in valor. Later, during the reign of Sundara Chola, son of Arinjaya, who died at Arattur, the glory of the Chola Empire, which had waned after the battle of Takkolam, rose once more to its zenith.

Among those born in this illustrious line of warriors, none could equal or surpass Aditya Karikalan—so declared the unanimous voice of the people everywhere. At the age of twelve, the heroic and daring feats he performed on the battlefield of Sevur eclipsed even the fame of Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna. Why had such a peerless hero not returned to Thanjavur for several years, remaining instead in Kanchi? Many rumors swirled about the reason. One rumor held that the petty kings, plotting to crown Madurantakan, were scheming to keep Aditya Karikalan away from Thanjavur. Another rumor claimed that, just as the ancient Karikala Valavan had marched north and planted the tiger flag atop the Himalayas, Aditya Karikalan, bearing the same name, had sworn to do likewise, and, unwilling to return to Thanjavur until that vow was fulfilled, was being thwarted by the likes of the Pazhuvettaraiyars. Therefore, when the sudden news spread that Aditya Karikalan had died, and that he had been treacherously murdered in the palace of the Sambuvarayars, it is needless to say how the hearts of the people of Chola Nadu were stirred. Is it any wonder, then, that lakhs of people gathered to pay their last respects to that heroic prince? As the funeral procession approached Thanjavur, the crowd had swelled into a veritable sea of humanity. The citizens of Thanjavur and the soldiers of the southern army encamped around the fort joined the throng in great numbers.

On the warning of Prime Minister Aniruddha, who feared that allowing such a multitude into the fort might lead to grave consequences, the Emperor, who was already drowning in a sea of sorrow, and his family came out of the fort to meet the people.

At the sight of Sundara Chozhar, a great roar rose from the immense crowd.

“During the reign of Sundara Chozhar, not a single cry of ‘Alas!’ was ever heard in Chola Nadu,” declare the stone inscriptions. The state of the land before Aditya Karikalan’s death is inscribed in those very stones.

But today, cries of “Alas! Alas!” and “Ayyo!” rose from hundreds of thousands of voices. The memory of Arjuna, who lost his son Abhimanyu, came to the minds of many. But Abhimanyu had stood alone amidst the enemy host, performed incredible feats of valor, and died a hero’s death.

Here, however, Aditya Karikalan had fallen victim to conspiracy, slain by the land-hunger of Madurantakan and the lust for power of the petty kings. Events that confirmed this suspicion in the minds of the people began to unfold in public.

Aditya Karikalan’s body was laid outside the Thanjavur fort for all to see. People came, wept, and departed. But Madurantakan did not come; nor did the Pazhuvettarayars. Rumors began to spread that the Pazhuvettarayars were rallying their allies and mustering their forces. Thus, even after the funeral rites for Aditya Karikalan were performed with all the honors due a fallen hero, and the royal family had re-entered the Thanjavur fort, the crowd did not disperse quickly.

Cries of “Down with Madurantakan!” and “Down with the Pazhuvettarayars!” first arose softly, but as time passed, these slogans grew louder and more forceful.

Suddenly, a section of the crowd broke open the gates of the fort and surged into the city of Thanjavur. Their first destination was the palace of the Pazhuvettarayars. Standing outside, they shouted, “The Pazhuvettarayars—”

“Fall!” they shouted.

At the command of the Chief Minister Aniruddhar, the Velakkara soldiers were forced to disperse the crowds.

Amidst this, a rumor spread that Madurantaka Devan was hiding inside Aniruddhar’s house. The people surrounded Aniruddhar’s residence.

“Where is that coward Madurantakan? Tell Madurantakan to come out!” they shouted.

At that very moment, Madurantakan was indeed inside Aniruddhar’s house. Hearing the uproar of the crowd outside, he trembled with fear. Turning to Aniruddhar, he pleaded,

“Chief Minister! Somehow, send me out of the fort. Send me through the secret underground passage. I will join my supporters. If you help me in this, when I ascend the Chola throne, I will retain you as my Chief Minister,” he said.

“Prince! Why speak of ascending the throne now? Is not Emperor Sundara Chola still alive?” asked Chief Minister Aniruddhar.

“Did you not see Sundara Chola returning after performing the last rites for his son? Did you not notice how his face looked as if possessed by a ghost? I was watching from the terrace. He will not live much longer. Either Arulmozhi Varman or I must ascend the throne and rule this kingdom. Sundara Chola is reluctant to crown me. Why should you and your