Rajadhiraja Chola Falls at the Battle of Koppam

1052

The Chola emperor Rajadhiraja I charged into battle against the Western Chalukyas at Koppam and was killed on his war elephant, a death mid-triumph - his forces were winning. His brother Rajendra II immediately mounted the elephant, rallied the army, and drove the Chalukyas from the field. The dynasty's succession held, but the ceaseless Deccan wars would grind on for another generation.