"...Only the eldest son, Rajadhirajaz Cholzan was killed in the Battle of Koppam in 1054 AD.
The next younger son, Rajendra II was crowned as the Emperor in the battlefield and he led the Cholzha expedition to victory. He gave his daughter Madhurantaki in marriage to the Eastern Chalukyan king, Rajaraja Narendra. Rajaraja Narendra was the son of Kundhavai II who was the daughter of Rajendra I. Rajaraja Narendra/Madhurantaki couple's son was Rajndra alias Kuloththunga I.
Rajendra II died a natural death. He was quite old. Two of his grandsons are found in his inscriptions.
After the death of Rajendra II, the third son of Rajendra I came to throne. He was Vira Rajendra. He ruled for 7 years until 1070 AD.
After his death, his son Adhi Rajendra came to throne. He ruled for only a few months.
After him Kuloththunga I came to power. He is the maternal grandson and hence is not a very direct claimant to the Cholzha throne.
It should be noted there were other princes who were sons and grand- sons of the three sons of Rajendra I, at that time. Their rights had been superceded by Kulothungga I.
Why?"
Why indeed?
Was it because Kulothunga I was exceptionally talented/aggressive/powerful/liked by the masses ???
Or were the Telungu connections much too powerful for the rest of the royal family to oppose?
There's one other thing here, you know...apparently Kulothunga *was* an excellent ruler- inspite of excessive inbreeding. (freak of nature?)
Dr. jaybee...wasn't Kulothunga I the son of Rajaraja Narendran and Ammanga Devi? Or have I got it wrong?
dear pavithrawelcome backI agree with you pavithra except the single point about Inbreeding if at all anything kulothungan was not a inbreed result ..he was a mixture of two royal stocks the chola and vengi(east chalukyas) sri