The Cholas of South India are familiar among many but few are aware about the accession of Kulottunga Chola I, the grandson of the illustrious emperor Rajendra Chola I, to the throne at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the capital city of the Cholas, in a way that marks the end of the direct lineage of the Cholas and the beginning of the dynasty of the Chalukya-Cholas. Kundavai, sister of Rajendra I was married to king Vimaladitya of the dynasty of the Eastern Chalukyas of the Andhra. Their son Rajaraja I Narendra married Rajendra`s daughter, Ammangadevi, who gave birth to a son Kulottunga Chola I, one of the greatest of the later Cholas and thus the rightful owner of the silvery throne of the Imperial Cholas.

Kulottunga is believed to have spent approximately a decade in the areas of Malaysia (Kadaram) and the islands of the east before his succession to the Chola throne. After he ascended the throne at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Kulottunga had to undertake an invasion of the South to quell the rebellion of the Pandyas of Madurai and to restore order in this region. In his southern campaigns he was very ably assisted by a general named Naralokavira. During Kulottunga`s time, the region of southern Kalinga (Orissa) was conquered and annexed to the Chola Empire. Students of Tamil literature and history still read on the subject of the well-known work Kalingattupparcmi of Jayamkondar done by Kulottunga.

Sri Lanka, which had been brought into the Chola fold by the might of Rajaraja I and Rajendra I slipped from the grip of the Cholas during this time of Kulottunga. Subsequently, he and his successors were able to rule only a part of northern Lanka. Although the empire shriveled during his period compared to the heyday of the Cholas of the early 11th century A.D., Kulottunga succeeded in holding together much of it by improving the economic condition of his subjects. He abolished some tolls and taxes and also brought about improvement in agriculture, which was the predominant occupation of his subjects.

Kulottunga was a diplomat. This can be clearly observed from his inscriptions. He maintained good relations with the kingdom of Sri Vijaya of Malaysia and also the Gahadavala rulers of Kanauj in North India. His interest in temple architecture is underpinned by his enormous contribution to the Nataraja temple at Chidambaram, which experienced a six-fold expansion during his reign. The architecture of this temple seen today first took shape during the time of Kulottunga. Kulottunga-Chola-Tirumaligai was the name given to the first wall of the enclosure of the Nataraja temple, while the second wall of the enclosure was called Vikrama-Chola-Tirumaligai, after his son who also contributed to this temple-complex.

Kulottunga was succeeded by his son Vikrama Chola, who was made crown prince in 1118 A.D. and who ruled jointly with his father till 1122 A.D. when the latter passed away.