Veera Ballala II - Relations Ship With Cholas

Relations Ship With Cholas

Initially, for gaining control over Gangavadi and Tagadur controlled by the Cholas, Ballala II attacked the forces of Kulothunga Chola III, who had continued Chola hegemony over the provinces of Gangavadi, Kolar in the Kannada country. However, Kulothunga Chola III, who also held the Pandya country and Eelam, modern Sri Lanka, proved to be a strong adversary and he inflicted a defeat on Ballala II. Ballala II thought it fit to turn enmity into friendship by entering into a marital relationship with Kulothunga Chola III. This helped him in his own troubles against other adversaries like the Kalachuris under Bijjala-II and the Seunas of Yadava country. He also reciprocated by fighting with Kulothunga III when the Pandyas attacked the Cholas, Ballala's sent crown prince Vira Narasimha II who fought successfully in the first war against the rampaging Pandyas and ensured victory for the Cholas. By virtue of this, Ballala II gained the title Cholarajyapratishtacharya and Kulothunga Chola III was given the title "Hoysala Purawaradheeshwaran" because of both his victory over Ballala II and his help to his brother in law Ballala II in his wars against the Kalachuris under Bijjala-II.