Transition of Tondaimandalam from the Pallavas to the Cholas

Aparajitha, a step brother of Nripatunga had an eye on the Pallava throne and hence, differences arose between the brothers. Both looked for allies. Nripatunga had the support of the Pandyas while Aparajitha won over the Ganga Prithivipati-I and most probably also Aditya-I,-a prince of the rising Chola Empire. The result was the historic Sripurambiyam battle (near Kumbakonam) in 885 A.D. where the rival armies met. In the decisive battle fought, Ganga Prithivipathi lost his life, but, after winning the battle for Aparajitha. Thus came the end of Nripatunga’s rule and beginning of Aparajitha’s, which too was a short lived one. Aditya-I, the Chola Prince participated in the Sripurambiyam battle as Aparajitha’s ally and won victory, Cholas became a subordinate power to the Pallavas much to the dislike of Aditya-I, He invaded Tondaimandalam and in a battle ensued and slew the Pallava ruler, Aparajitha.^[1] That was the end of the Pallava Kingdom now became Chola territory. Nripatunga died in 899 A.D., and his another step brother Kambavarman led an obscure life as a chieftain in the western part of Pallava territory.