 During this period the Chola empire was declining after many years of glory.During the final years of Kolothunga III's rule, the Pandya Maravarman Sundara Pandya defeated his son Rajaraja III and made the Chola subordinate to Pandya rule; thus marking the beginning of the final demise of the Cholas.Kopperunchinga I, though related to the Chola king by marital ties and an officer in his government until c. 1213, took advantage of the confusion, by strengthening his personal position.