 Once an official in the service of the Chola king Kulothunga Chola III (1178-1218), Kopperunchinga utilized the opportunity arising out of the Pandyan invasion of the Chola country to become an independent king.Inscriptions of Kopperunchinga I are few since his kingdom was still forming during most of his life, while he was actively engaged in conflict with other powers.Kopperunchinga I, who is referred to variously as "Jiya-Mahipati", "Alagiyasiyan", "Sakalbhuvana-chakravartin Kopperunjinga" and "Manavalapperumal", was a subordinate of Kulothunga Chola III between 1191 and 1195.