Throne of Vengi - The lost prince

Chapter 2 - Rajendra Chola

1000 CE

The Northern Archway of the city of Tanjavur, the capital of Cholas stood in all its majesty. Strings of chrysanthemums, jasmines and marigold flowers adorned the figurines of the archway. Most of them fell off the structure due to sheer volume, thus covering the road in their riot of colors. The festivity built up by each moment with gathering crowds, most of who held up similar garlands.

"Victory!!" The shouts erupted from the citizens of Tanjavur who when they saw the cloud of dust that appeared in the northern horizon

A couple of furlongs north of the road, on the regally decorated elephant, sat the victorious commander of the Northern Chola armies. The commander had much to celebrate. This was his first battle that he waged independently as opposed to the battle eight years before where he was but a boy who fought under the illustrious commandeering of the famed Chola Chakravarthi Arulmozhi Varma who was popular as Raja Raja. Two months before when he had set out to the northern borders to face the forces of Badami Chalukyan King Sathyashraya, uncertainty had been writ on his soldiers over the control being given to his hands. But the gory couple of fortnights at Rattepadi where his armies clashed with those of Sathyashraya had the goddess of victory favouring him. The chest of the commander swelled up. He had lived up to the expectations and had proven to his soldiers that he could steer the army to victory even in the absence of the charismatic emperor Rajaraja. The decorated archway at a distance looked like the maiden of victory with arms opened to embrace him. The elephant moved ahead. The fluttering tiger flag of the cholas mounted on the archway made his head bow for a moment. He closed his eyes, filling his lungs with what felt like the fragrance of the Chola soil. The cheer of the citizens of Tanjavur fell upon his ears. For the first time, it was not the name of the Chola Chakravarthy that erupted out of the exuberant crowd. His lips curved with obvious pride. The victory had indeed proven his worth to his people. His gaze scanned the crowds that had gathered to welcome him. The festivities that met his eyes were not in any way inferior to the earlier victory celebrations. In fact, he felt that the Chola Chakravarthy had ordered for celebrations of greater magnitude to celebrate this victory. Which father would not want to see his son growing up to be his own man and prove himself worthy of the inheritance that awaited him?

Rajendra Chola's eyes misted at the sight of the ageing emperor who had waited for him on the ground at the gates. By impulse, he ordered the mahout to stop the elephant and alighted to the ground to cover the remaining distance on foot. Like a response the he had desired, he saw Rajaraja hurry ahead of his retinue. Rajendra knelt on the soil, unfastening the string around his neck. It was the precious stone that had adorned the helmet of Sathyashraya which he had wrenched in the battle. The proud emerald that had towered over the empire of Badami now lay at the feet of its sworn rival. Rajaraja's gaze however was not on the fallen jewel of the Chalukyas, but on the rising sun of the Cholanadu. With scars on the neck and the arms, darkened bruises on his otherwise handsome face, armour battered at places showing the extent of onslaught that he had faced, stains of blood still fresh on his lower garment and the smile that negated all the horrors of the battle, the victorious Rajendra had now emerged the worthy scion of the Cholas. Rajaraja threw his arms open to catch the precious moments they would have as father and son before the armies and the crowds of Tanjavur surrounded them.

It was past sunset when the din of the crowds on the roads of Tanjavur finally settled down after the ceremonial procession. The sight of the much awaited family meal room made Rajendra feel at ease. He envied his soldiers who would have had all the day to spend with their families as opposed to him who had to spend the day amongst the crowd, thanking the traders who had financed the battle, felicitating the war generals, hearing the poetry by the bards, watching the artists perform and not to forget, the elaborate visit to the temple of Brihadeeshwara. His wives Tribhuvana who held their infant daughter in her arms and Virama, both had looked forward to the celebrations showed no signs of fatigue. His son still a toddler had mimicked his victory procession along the corridors and had to be coaxed by his grandmother to finally sit for the meal. Rajendra's tired glance stopped at the empty seat opposite him.

"Kundava" The name of his sister came out of his lips, audible to everyone and a quiet fell upon the room. "Why couldn't she come?"

"The queen of the Vengi Chalukyas is no longer the girl that chattered on this table." Rajaraja laughed. At times, Rajendra felt if he was overtly attached to his sister. None in the family including her own mother seemed to miss her presence after she was married to the Eastern Chalukyan prince Vimaladitya. At least none made it as obvious as he did.

"I am leaving for Vengi tomorrow." Rajaraja declared, drawing his immediate attention.

"Appa?" Rajendra hesitated gathering the news that he had heard. Kundava was now the Queen who occupied the throne of eastern Chalukyas. Her son, his nephew Prince Narendra was the obvious heir apparent of the throne of Vengi. The sign of doubt however had presented itself a year before when Vimaladitya had married the princess of Nellur and was now expecting a child.

Rajaraja's smile however assured him that there was not much to worry.

"Appa, the visit of Chola Chakravarthy might probably send a hostile signal to Vimaladitya." Rajendra seemed to think aloud. "Why don't I go?"

"The Yuva Chakravarthy's visit, barely a day after the gory battle will definitely send a desperate signal." Rajaraja was unsmiling, making people around him wonder when his benign tone had morphed into that stentorian chide. "Besides, this 'Chola Chakravarthy' is a grandfather too. And a grand father's visit to his grandson cannot send hostile signals to anyone." He concluded chuckling.

Rajendra considered his father's final words that brought back his tone to the benevolent one that had won the heart of Cholanadu. His astute reading made Rajendra feel rather wanting and conscious about his impulsive proposal such as the last one. They exchanged a long glance which ended in his father whispering. "Battle field is not the only place where one can prove himself worthy of kingship. Take the reins of administration for a fortnight all by yourself too."

Smiling his consent, Rajendra proceeded with his meal, stealing a glance at his wives. The road to the throne could not have been easier. But the road to the hearts of the citizens, Rajendra admitted was full of barriers. His father had been unrelenting in thrusting him towards the intrigues which he faced and emerged quite alright.

Yuva Chakravarthy

Rajendra was not ready to hear that. He was not ready to face the responsibility of the Chola throne yet and now Rajaraja was leaving to Vengi leaving him alone to face it. The battle of Rattepadi now looked like a bleak achievement in the face of this intrigue. The serving of Pongal that appeared on his plate drew his attention. Rajendra's eyes turned stern towards the attendant who had dared to serve the sweet without his instruction and so late in the course.

"I told him to serve." The Queen Panchava Mahadevi smiled. "Your face looked like you are eating a raw bitter gourd instead of that delicious tamarind rice." She laughed winking at the emperor and then at him.

When he looked at his wives, Rajendra saw on their faces, the similar look of feeling inadequate in front of their mother in law. At least he was not alone in struggling to match the charisma of his father.