The Tanjore Empire - Series - Episode 1

The Tanjore Empire was an important center of Culture, Art and Architecture under the caring eyes of the Great Emperor Late Elangovathiarayan who was viewed as the reincarnation of Lord Shiva. The Muthuraja clan controlled the fertile plans of the Kaveri Region and they were great devotees of Lord Shiva. The Emperors of Muthuraja Clan were hailed as the descendants of Lord Shiva Himself by the people. The Tanjore Palace located at the mouth of the Cauvery River was a majestic palace with vast labyrinthine buildings, enormous corridors, swanky and artistic halls, watch-towers, moat, fort and courtyards. A rare precious Diamond gifted to the Late Emperor Elangovathiarayan during his visit to Mount Kailas occupied the center of Palace and was the symbol of the Pride of the Empire. The entrance of the palace had a large quadrangular courtyard. There were big gateways to the northern and eastern walls.

The present Emperor Mutharaiyar wielded considerable power and respect all over South India and South-East Asia. Unlike his father Elangovathiarayan, Mutharaiyar did not like to rest on his laurels and was not much interested in Art and Architecture. He was an ambitious Emperor, who used his might to annex more kingdoms down South under his control. He let the kings ruling under his states to administer their subjects as long as they were submissive to the Empire. He married Kundavai when he was crowned as Emperor at his young age after the passing away of his father Elangovathiarayan. Kundavai looked after all the activities around the Palace and was viewed as Goddess by her subjects. They had a son Kulothunga, who was viewed as the beloved Prince of the Tanjore Empire by the people and was held with great respect. Emperor Mutharaiyar's childhood friend Krishnan Raman was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief by his father the Great Emperor Elangovathiarayan under the promise that he would act as the Guardian of the Empire and Royal family. Under the mighty military led by Krishnan Raman, Emperor Mutharaiyar strengthened and established his Empire further and almost the entire Southern part of India was under his control.

It was during this time, Emperor Mutharaiyar waged a fierce attack on the Sinhala Kingdom across the sea, which was ruled by Sinhala King Vikrama Raja Sinha as he wanted to extend his control across the seas too. Despite valiant defence of the Sinhala King Vikrama Raja Sinha, Emperor Mutharaiyar’s mighty army led by Krishnan Raman defeated the Sinhala King after an intense battle. The Sinhala King was forced to surrender and sign a peace treaty. Emperor Mutharaiyar was besotted with the beauty of Valli Mayil, the daughter of Vikrama Raja Sinha and asked for his daughter’s hand for marriage. Valli Mayil was a headstrong and tenacious woman. She agreed to marry the Emperor on the condition that he restore the full reigns of the Sinhala kingdom to her father Vikarama Raja Sinha, else she will sacrifice her life. Mutharaiyar was so smitten by the beauty of Valli Mayil that he was willing to do anything to attain her. Emperor Mutharaiyar handed over full control of the Sinhala kingdom back to Vikrama Raja Sinha and married Valli Mayil. He built a separate Palace for her which connected with the Palace of first Queen Kundavai. Kundavai was the most beloved Queen of the Tanjore Empire and the people of Tanjore did not like the arrival of Valli Mayil as the second Queen. Emperor Mutharaiyar had his way and Valli Mayil acquired equal prominence in all the Royal events and ceremonies. On the advice of Valli Mayil, Emperor Mutharaiyar toned down his ambitions of annexing more and more kingdoms under his control. He also started giving more autonomy to the kingdoms under his control on her advice. To the joy of the Emperor, Valli Mayil gave birth to twins. Mutharaiyar named one of them as Hiranya after the precious diamond and the other one was called Hiranmaya.

Kundavai took all these events with grace and never questioned Emperor Mutharaiyar. Her only worry was her son Kulothunga, who was a man of unruly habits and vices. He was addicted to wine and found pleasure in the company of women. She was very much worried for him as he was destined to be the heir to the glorious Empire of Tanjore. Emperor Mutharaiyar overlooked the habits of Kulothunga as he spent most of his time with Valli Mayil. It was during this time, the Diamond which was the symbol of the Pride of the Empire went missing. The Emperor Mutharaiyar could not get over the shock of the missing diamond and fell ill. His commander-in-chief Krishnan Raman assured him that he will find out the Diamond and ensure that those who did the act not go unpunished. However, Mutharaiyar was deeply concerned by the missing Diamond rather than his own health which was making his recovery and treatment difficult. The Empire was being run by Krishnan Raman on the advice of Queen Kundavai as Mutharaiyar was incapacitated. The other Queen Valli Mayil did not take kindly to Krishnan Raman being given prominence as he did not belong to the Royal family. She felt Hiranya should take over the Empire if Kulothunga was not ready to take over the reigns of the Empire. Krishnan Raman felt sad over the growing dissensions between the Queens but apart from being a Guardian of the Empire on behalf of Emperor Mutharaiyar, he did not like to meddle and make matters worse within the family in the interest of the Empire.

 

I agree with you and edited the part.

 

fiction

 

Thanks the first part is very much like a Prologue which introduces the glory of the Empire leading to the subsequent Plot. Thanks for the advice