Battle of Venni is a battle fought by the Early Chola king Karikala with a confederacy of Pandya and Chera kings. The battle resulted in absolute victory for Karikala. Following his defeat, the Chera king Uthiyan Cheralathan starved himself to death. The battle is considered historical and dated approximately to 190 CE.
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Background
Upon the accession of Karikala at a young age, there was a civil war in the Chola kingdom. By the time, Karikala had succeeded in vanquishing rival claimants and establishing his hold over the kingdom, the neighbouring Chera and Pandya kings saw their chance and forming a confederacy which also included eleven minor chieftains apart from the two kings, invaded the Chola kingdom.
Events
The two armies met at Venni (present day Kovilvenni located 15 km from Thanjavur). Karikala by his brilliant strategem inflicted a crushing defeat on the combined army.