From which ruling power did Vijayalaya Chola capture Tanjore to establish the early Chola capital and revive Chola power in South India?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of the rise of the imperial Cholas in early medieval South India. Vijayalaya Chola is remembered for reviving Chola power and capturing Tanjore, which later became an important Chola centre. Knowing from whom he captured Tanjore helps students trace the political map of the time and the balance of power between major South Indian dynasties.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The question refers to Vijayalaya Chola, the founder of the imperial Chola line.
The focus is on the capture of Tanjore, which became an early Chola stronghold.
We assume the options refer to major powers that influenced Tamil and adjoining regions in that period.

Concept / Approach:
Historically, Tanjore was held by local chiefs known as Muttaraiyars, who were feudatories of the Pallavas. Vijayalaya Chola defeated these Muttaraiyar chiefs, thereby weakening the Pallava sphere of influence. For exam purposes, when the options give only large dynasties, the answer is linked to the overlord who controlled the area through vassals, namely the Pallavas.

Step-by-Step Solution:
First, recall that Vijayalaya Chola began expanding Chola influence in the ninth century.He captured Tanjore from the local Muttaraiyar chiefs.The Muttaraiyars were feudatories aligned with the Pallavas of Kanchipuram.Thus, by defeating them, Vijayalaya effectively displaced Pallava influence from Tanjore.Given the options, the correct answer must indicate the larger power behind the Muttaraiyars, namely the Pallavas.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard South Indian history accounts describe Vijayalaya as originally a Pallava vassal who took advantage of conflicts between the Pallavas and Pandyas. In that power vacuum he seized Tanjore from a Pallava aligned chief, confirming that the loss was essentially a Pallava setback, not a Pandya or Mughal one.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Pandyas were important rivals in the region but Tanjore was not directly captured from them by Vijayalaya.
Mughals did not operate in South India during this early period and appear here only as a distractor.
The option None is incorrect because historical sources clearly connect the change of control at Tanjore with the weakening of Pallava influence.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes mark Pandyas because they associate them strongly with Tamil regions, or they become confused by references to the Muttaraiyars and do not connect them with Pallava overlordship. Remember that exam questions often credit the overlord dynasty when vassal chiefs lose territory.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Pallavas.