Thanks to lavanya for adding this very interesting account that Aniruddha removed himself from the post during Uttama chola's time and came back during Rajaraja's time. I'd like to request Lavanya to share the evidence that supports this - if possible. It actually contradicts certain things and raises many questions. * If I remember correctly, Uttama chola reigned for 15 years. If Aniruddha was minister during Sundara chola's time - resigned himself for the next 15 years - and came back once again - then either he should have been too old during R.Raja's time or too young during Sundara's time.
* Going by PS, Aniruddha and Sundara are approximately of same age. Assuming that aniruddha was around 40 during sundara's reign, then he should be 55 during Rajaraja's reign - and could have served him for some years. But the problem with this is that Sundara died almost within a year of Aditya's death - unable to cope up with the loss of his son - and became "Pon Maaligai Thungiya Devar" in pages of history. Thus we have to conclude that sundara died quite early - without even completing 50 years. I'm not sure whether this is true or not - considering the lifetime, reign and achievements of sundara.
* The other arguement is ofcourse - to assume that Aniruddha was much younger than Sundara - around 40 during the latter's times - as I said earlier. But becoming a prime minister at 40 is no joke and we may not have enough evidences to support this.
* But beyond all this age and other stuff, perhaps the most interesting question that shoots us is : WHY DID HE RESIGN DURING MATHURANTHAKA UTTAMA CHOLA'S REIGN ? - Was it true that he was one of the suspects in Aditya's murder(as I've pointed out) and was acquitted only after the original criminals were nabbed - during Rajaraja's reign? - Or was he so devoted to Sundara and Family and did not want to serve anybody else ? - Did he wish ..like many of the citizens of his times...(as proven by Thiruvalangadu plates)...that Arumozhi should succeed Sundara ? seeing that the throne was given to Uttama - he resigned from the post ? - What did he do when he was not in post ? Kept quiet or continued to serve chola dynasty and guide arumozhi ? (Note : Historical reference name is Aru-mozhi and *not* Arul - Mozhi as indicated in PS)
To me, one thing is very clear : Unless somebody comes up and writes another 5 Volumes of Ponniyin Selvan - from that point where Kalki leaves us - many of the questions that are raised by history - may not be answered at all ! (..To be continued:-)
While reading through Mr. Gokul's interesting mails, he'd mentioned about the killers of Adithya as brahmins. Mr. Gokul, I was intrigued by this. Does this mean that Aniruddha Brahmaraayar had a hand in Adithya's assasination??!! Or was it totally a Pandya affair, as Kalki preferred to portray?
Hi I am sorry for not substantiating my ideas with historical evidences... right now I dont have access to any info. But these are things I heard from another person and I am just passing it on to you. When I go to Chennai I will try and give you more historic details for the same.... Please be assured that the Brahmin mentioned was not Aniruddha Brahmarayar. The person under mention is none other than our Ravidasan himself - he is a Brahmin. He held a high post(Mummudi Chozha Brahmathirayar, if i remember the title right) during Uttama Chozhan's rule. Thats is one reason why Aniruddhar must have thought it best to keep away from the politics during Uttam Chozha's time. After Rajarajan came to power there is a kalvettu which says that he found out the murderers and confiscated all their lands (and those of their relatives) and since the person involved was a Brahmin he did only that much - that is didnt kill him. (though he destroyed Ravidasan under a different pretext altogether). So obviously, if Aniruddha was Rajarajan's minister, he is not in any way related to Adithya's murder. Now how did Ravidasan get framed by Rajarajan ? After he was banished from the Chozha empire, where would he have gone? Pandyas would not have accepted him nor would the Cheras. Now, at this time, there was a common "military school" in an area bordering Chera, Chozha, Pandya kingdoms. Ravidasan had learnt all his martial arts from this place. After being banished, he went back to this place. Rajarajan knew this. He said that the existence of such an establishment is by itself dangerous and he destroyed the entire school.... in the process destroying his enemy.... I wish that I could present all this info. to you all in a better way. I will try and write a better one next time. But since people were really "upset" thinking of Aniruddhar as a tratitor, I thought I should give them all some piece of mind by telling this piece of info. I had. :-)