PANDYA
DYNASTY
Overview
:
Pandyas,
also known as the Pandyas of Madurai, was a dynasty of south India.
The Pandyas ruled extensive territories, at times including the
large portions of present-day south India and Sri Lanka (through
collateral branches subject to Madurai). They fought Mahabharat
War in Pandav's side
Jat
clans :
Pandya Gotra Jats live in Tonk district in Rajasthan. They were
rulers in Central Asia.
Origin :
According to James Todd One great arm of the tree of Yayati remains
unnoticed, that of Uru or Urvasu, written by others Turvasu. Uru
was the father of a line of kings who founded several empires. Virup,
the eighth prince from Uru, had eight sons, two of whom are particularly
mentioned as sending forth two grand shoots, Druhyu and Bhabru.
From Druhyu a dynasty was established in the north. Aradwat, with
his son Gandhar, is stated to have founded a State : Prachetas is
said to have become king of Mlecchhdesh, or the barbarous regions.
This line terminated with Dushyant, the husband of the celebrated
Shakuntala, father of Bharat, and who, labouring under the displeasure
of some offended deity, is said by the Hindus to have been the cause
of all the woes which subsequenty befell the race. The four
grandsons of Dushyant, Kalanjar, Keral, Pand (Pandya), and Chaul
(Chola), gave their names to countries.
History
:
The Pandyas were one of numerous kingdsoms of ancient India viz.
Dwaraka, Kashi, Magadh, Matsya, Chedi, Pandya and the Yadus of Mathura
who were allies of Pandavs.
Karna
Parv in Mahabharat narrates the appointment of the wise king of
Madra as (Karna's) charioteer. Then the history of the fall of the
Asur Tripura. Then the application to each other by Karna and Shalya
of harsh words on their setting out for the field, then the story
of the swan and the crow recited in insulting allusion: then the
death of Pandya at the hands of the high-souled Aswatthaman; then
the death of Dandsen; then that of Darda; then Yudhishthir's imminent
risk in single combat with Karna in the presence of all the warriors;
then the mutual wrath of Yudhishthir and Arjun; then Krishna's pacification
of Arjun. In this Parv, Bhim, in fulfilment of his vow, having ripped
open Dushashan's chest in battle drank the blood of his heart. Then
Arjun slew the great Karna in single combat.
The Hathigumph inscription of king Kharvel at Bhuvneshwar mentions
about a Pandya king in Line 13 as under:
Mention
by Pliny :
Pliny mentions....If the wind, called Hippalus, happens to be blowing,
it is possible to arrive in forty days at the nearest mart of India,
Muziris by name. This, however, is not a very desirable place for
disembarcation, on account of the pirates which frequent its vicinity,
where they occupy a place called Nitrias; nor, in fact, is it very
rich in articles of merchandize. Besides, the road-stead for shipping
is a considerable distance from the shore, and the cargoes have
to be conveyed in boats, either for loading or discharging. At the
moment that I am writing these pages, the name of the king of this
place is Cælobothras.
Another
port, and a much more convenient one, is that which lies in the
territory of the people called Neacyndi, Barace by name. Here king
Pandion used to reign, dwelling at a considerable distance from
the mart in the interior, at a city known as Modiera. The district
from which pepper is carried down to Barace in boats hollowed out
of a single tree, 34 is known as Cottonara.
None
of these names of nations, ports, and cities are to be found in
any of the former writers, from which circumstance it would appear
that the localities have since changed their names. Travellers set
sail from India on their return to Europe, at the beginning of the
Egyptian month Tybis, which is our December, or at all events before
the sixth day of the Egyptian month Mechir, the same as our ides
of January: if they do this, they can go and return in the same
year. They set sail from India with a south-east wind, and upon
entering the Red Sea, catch the south-west or south. We will now
return to our main subject.
32
Or Favonius, the west wind, previously mentioned in the present
Chapter.
33
The modern Mangalore, according to Du Bocage.
34
Or canoes.
35 The Cottiara of Ptolemy, who makes it the chief city
of the Æi, a tribe who occupied the lower part of the peninsula
of Hindostan. It has been supposed to be represented by
the modern Calicut or Travancore. Cochin, however, appears to be
the most likely.
36
Marcus observes that we may conclude that either Pliny or the author
from whom he transcribed, wrote this between the years of the Christian
era 48 and 51; for that the coincidence of the 6th of the month
Mechir with the Ides of January, could not have taken place in any
other year than those on which the first day of Thoth or the beginning
of the year fell on the 11th of August, which happened in the years
48, 49, 50, and 51 of the Christian era.
Line
13 - [His Majesty] caused to erect towers with strong and beautiful
gateways at the cost of two thousand coins. [His Majesty] obtained
horses, elephants and jewels losing strange and wonderful elephants
and ships. The King of Pandya caused to be brought here (capital
Kalinga Nagri) various pearls, jewels and precious stones hundred
thousand in number.
In Mahabharat :
Pandya is mentioned in Mahabharat (II.13.20), (II.28.10) / (2-32-17b),
(II.28.48), (3-255-14a), (III.86.10) and (VI.46.50).
Sabha
Parv, Mahabharat / Book II Chapter 13 mentions the Kshatriyas in
support of Jarasandh. Pandya is mentioned in Mahabharat (II.13.20)....
And, O king of kings, Bhishmak, the mighty king of the Bhojs--the
friend of Indra--the slayer of hostile heroes--who governs a fourth
part of the world, who by his learning conquered the Pandyas and
the Krathakaishikas, whose brother the brave Akriti was like Ram,
the son of Jamdagni, hath become a servitor to the king of Magadh.
Sabha
Parv, Mahabharat / Book II Chapter 28 mentions Sahdev's march towards
south: kings and tribes defeated. Pandya is mentioned in Mahabharat
(II.28.10) / (2-32-17b). .... ....After Avanti, the hero (Sahdev)
marched towards the town of Bhojkat and there, a fierce encounter
took place between him and the king of that city for two whole days.
But the son of Madri (Sahdev), vanquishing the invincible Bhismak,
then defeated in battle the king of Koshal and the ruler of the
territories lying on the banks of the Venwa, as also the Kantarkas
and the kings of the eastern Koshals. The hero (Sahdev) then defeating
both the Natkeyas and the Herambaks in battle, and subjugating the
country of Marudh, reduced Ramyagram by sheer strength. And the
son of Pandu then vanquished the mighty monarchs of the Nachins
and the Arbuks and the various forest king of that part of the country.
Endued with great strength the hero then reduced to subjection king
Atavika. And defeating in battle the Pulinds, the hero then marched
southward. And the younger brother of Nakul then fought
for one whole day with the king of Pandya.
Sabha
Parv, Mahabharat / Book II Chapter 28 mentions Sahdev's march towards
south: kings and tribes defeated. Pandya is mentioned in Mahabharat
(II.28.48). ....The hero (Sahdev) brought under his subjection and
exacted tributes from the Pandyas and the Dravids along with the
Udrakerals and the Andhras and the Talvans, the Kalings and the
Ushtrakarniks, and also the delightful city of Atavi (Rom) and that
of the Yavans.
Van
Parv, Mahabharat / Book III Chapter 86 mentions the sacred tirths
of the south. Pandya is mentioned in Mahabharat (III.86.10). ....O
Bharat! And, O son of Kunti, in that spot is the tirth called Ashok
(III.86.10) abounding in woody retreats of ascetics. And, O Yudhishthir,
in the country of the Pandyas (III.86.10) are the tirths named Agastya
(III.86.10) and Varun (III.86.10).
Van
Parv, Mahabharat / Book III Chapter 255 describes Karna's victory
march and countries subjugated. Pandya is mentioned in Mahabharat
(3-255-14a). .... Having met with Rukmi (3-255-14a), Karna (3-255-14a),
repaired to Pandya (3-255-14a) and the mountain, Shri (Shrishail)
(3-255-14a). And by fighting, he made Keval (3-255-15a), king Nil
(3-255-15a), Venudari's (3-255-15b) son, and other best of kings
living in the southern direction pay tribute.
Bhishma
Parv, Mahabharat / Book VI Chapter 46 mentions Krishna, Yudhisthir
and his brothers looking for arrangements of the war. Pandya
is mentioned in Mahabharat (VI.46.50). ....Balhikas, Tittiras, and
Cholas Pandya.
Pandya
:
Vijendra Kumar Mathur has written ... Pandya (AS, p.539): In ancient
times, Pandya country was a kingdom in the far west. The Kritmal
and Tamraparni were the main rivers of the Pandya country. In the
Mahabharat Sabha Parv 31,16, the king of the Pandya country is described
as being defeated by Sahdev: Mahabharat, Sabh Parv 31,1.
Ptolemy
(around 150 AD) has written Pandudesh as ' Panduoyi ' and has described
it as belonging to Punjab. It is possible that there was some relation
between the 'Pandya country' of the far south and the 'Pandudesh'
of the north. It is known from ancient literature that South India
had some connection with Shurasen or Mathura, which may be the 'Pandudesh
' mentioned by Ptolemy as the birthplace of Sri Krishna, the beloved
friend of the Pandavs, as also indicated by the account of Megasthenes.
Just as the capital of Shurasen country was Mathura, similarly the
capital of 'Pandya country' was also 'Madhura' or present day 'Madura'
or 'Madurai'. possibly the answer People must have gone and settled
in South India later.
Katyayan
has told the origin of the word Pandya from Pandu. In Ashoka's 13th
edict, 'Pandya' is considered along with Chola and Satyaput in the
neighboring countries of the Mauryan Empire. In Raghuvansh 6, 60-61-62-63-64-65,
Kalidas has given a beautiful description of Pandyaraj and his country
in the context of Indumati Swayamvar, a part of which is- 'Pandyos
Yamansarpitalambahar: Kliptaammaragoharichandnen, Abhati Balatparktasanu:
Sanirjharodgar Dwadiraj:. Tambulvalli Paridhpugaswelalalingintchandanasu,
Tamalapatrastranasurantum Prasid Shasvan Malayasthalishu.
These
verses describe the sandalwood, tambul, ella (cardamom) and tamal
trees and creepers of the Padya country and the location of the
Malay mountain is described as this country. In Raghuvansh 6,65,
Pandyaraj is called 'Indivar Syamatanu' which is the natural body
color of the Indians of the far south. According to Sri Raychaudhuri,
the ancient Pandya country included the present Madura, Ramnad and
Tinnevali districts and the southern part of Kerala and had its
capital at Korkai and Madura (South Madhura). (Raychaudhuri, Political
History of Ancient India, p.270) (D. Korkai and Madura).
Pandya
dynasty :
Pandya - This is also an ancient dynasty whose mention is found
in the Mahabharat, the accounts of Magasthenes and the inscriptions
of Ashok and other texts. His kingdom was on present-day Kerala
region in South India. The description of Chola, Pandya etc. dynasties
will be written in the chapter "Jatveer kingdom in South India".
Even today the Jats of Videha, Pundra, Pandya, Chola, Vang gotras
are settled in many places.
Dalip
Singh Ahlawat writes :
Vidarbh
country was ruled by Yaduvanshi Shashibindu. It was Chakravarti
Samrat who happened in the seventh generation from Yadu in the branch
of Yadu's son Karokshatri. These dynasties and territories are mentioned
in Ramayan and Mahabharat which are as follows -
Sugriv
ordered the monkey army to go to the countries mentioned above to
search for Sita.
•
In the east direction - Videh (Va. Ra. Kishkindha Kand Sarg 40).
• In the south - the city of Vidarbh, Vang, Pundra, Chola
and Pandya dynasty kings (Tanjore). (Canto 41).
• In the north direction - Southern Kurudesh (around Kurukshetra)
and Northern Kuru (in today's Siberia). (Canto 43).
Digvijay of Mahabharat Sabhaparv Pandavs - Arjun conquered many
countries in the north along with Chola country (Chapter 27) and
Uttar Kurudesh (Chapter 28). In the east Bhimsen conquered Videh
(Mithila) (Chapter 29) and the Pandara-Pundrak and Vang countries
(Chapter 30). Sahdev conquered the Pandya king in the south. (Chapter
31).
North
Mathura :
Vijendra Kumar Mathur has written ... Answer Mathura (AS, p.92)
is one of the two cities named Mathura or Madhura in Buddhist India.
One was the famous Mathura of the north, the other the present Madura
(Madras) which was the capital of the Pandya country. Harishen has
considered North Mathura in Bharat-Kshetra or Northern India in
Brihatkatha-Kosh Kathanak-21. The Ghatjatak (No. 454) mentions the
king of North Mathura, Ocean and his son Sagar. Sagar was a contemporary
of Shri Krishna.
Distribution
in Rajasthan :
Villages in Tonk district :
Pandya Gotra Jats live in Tonk district in Rajasthan.
Bhanwati.
Pandya
Dynasty in detail :
![](ImperioPandya1251-1283AD.svg.png)
The
Pandya dynasty at its greatest extent in 1290 CE under Marvarman
Sundar Pandyan I.
Pandya
dynasty 200 BCE–1300 CE |
Capital |
•
Korkai (port, early historic) |
|
•
Madurai (till 1335 CE) |
|
•
Tenkasi (till 1618 CE) |
Official
languages |
Tamil,
Sanskrut |
Religion |
Hinduism
(Official), Buddhism and Jainism |
Demonym(s) |
Pandiyar |
Government |
Monarchy |
•
560–590 CE |
Kadungon |
•
1613–1618 CE |
Varagunarama |
Historical
era |
Medieval
era |
•
Established |
200 BCE |
•
Disestablished |
1300 CE |
Preceded
by |
Succeeded
by |
•
Chola Empire |
•
Tenkasi Pandyas |
|
•
Madurai Nayak dynasty |
|
•
Vijayanagara Empire |
|
•
Delhi Sultanate |
|
•
Jaffna kingdom |
Today
part of |
India and
Sri Lanka |
The
Pandya dynasty, also referred to as the Pandyas of Madurai, was
an ancient Tamil dynasty of South India, and among the three great
kingdoms of Tamilakam, the other two being the Cholas and the Cheras.
Existing since at least the 4th to 3rd centuries BCE, the dynasty
passed through two periods of imperial dominance, the 6th to 10th
centuries CE, and under the 'Later Pandyas' (13th to 14th centuries
CE). The Pandyas ruled extensive territories, at times including
regions of present-day South India and northern Sri Lanka through
vassal states subject to Madurai.
The
rulers of the three Tamil dynasties were referred to as the "three
crowned rulers (the mu-ventar) of the Tamil country". The origin
and the timeline of the Pandya dynasty are difficult to establish.
The early Pandya chieftains ruled their country (Pandya Nadu) from
the ancient period, which included the inland city of Madurai and
the southern port of Korkai. The Pandyas are celebrated in the earliest
available Tamil poetry (Sangam literature"). Graeco-Roman accounts
(as early as 4th century BCE), the edicts of Maurya emperor Ashok,
coins with legends in Tamil-Brahmi script, and Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions
suggest the continuity of the Pandya dynasty from the 3rd century
BCE to the early centuries CE. The early historic Pandyas faded
into obscurity upon the rise of the Kalabhra dynasty in south India.
From
the 6th century to the 9th century CE, the Chalukyas of Badami or
Rashtrakutas of the Deccan, the Pallavs of Kanchi, and Pandyas of
Madurai dominated the politics of south India. The Pandyas often
ruled or invaded the fertile estuary of Kaveri (the Chola country),
the ancient Chera country (Kongu and central Kerala) and Venadu
(southern Kerala), the Pallav country and Sri Lanka. The Pandyas
fell into decline with the rise of the Cholas of Thanjavur in the
9th century and were in constant conflict with the latter. The Pandyas
allied themselves with the Sinhalese and the Cheras in harassing
the Chola Empire until it found an opportunity for reviving its
frontiers during the late 13th century.
The
Pandyas entered their golden age under Maravarman I and Jatavarman
Sundara Pandya I (13th century). Some early efforts by Maravarman
I to expand into the ancient Chola country were effectively checked
by the Hoysalas. Jatavarman I (c. 1251) successfully expanded the
kingdom into the Telugu country (as far north as Nellore), south
Kerala, and conquered northern Sri Lanka. The city of Kanchi became
a secondary capital of the Pandyas.The Hoysalas, in general, were
confined to Mysore Plateau and even king Somesvara was killed in
a battle with Pandyas. Marvarman Kulshekhar I (1268) defeated an
alliance of the Hoysalas and the Cholas (1279) and invaded Sri Lanka.
The venerable Tooth Relic of the Buddh was carried away by the Pandyas.
During this period, the rule of the kingdom was shared among several
royals, one of them enjoying primacy over the rest. An internal
crisis in the Pandya kingdom coincided with the Khalji invasion
of south India in 1310–11. The ensuing political crisis saw
more sultanate raids and plunder, the loss of south Kerala (1312),
and north Sri Lanka (1323) and the establishment of the Madurai
sultanate (1334). The Pandyas of Ucchangi (9th–13th century),
in the Tungbhadra Valley were related to the Pandyas of Madurai.
According
to tradition, the legendary Sangams ("the Academies")
were held in Madurai under the patronage of the Pandyas, and some
of the Pandya rulers claimed to be poets themselves. Pandya Nadu
was home to a number of renowned temples, including the Meenakshi
Temple in Madurai. The revival of the Pandya power by Kadungon (7th
century CE) coincided with the prominence of the Shaivite nayanars
and the Vaishnavite alvars. It is known that the Pandya rulers followed
Jainism for a short period of time in history.
Etymology
and origin legends :
The etymology of Pandya is still a matter of considerable speculation
among scholars. One theory is that the word pandya is derived from
the ancient Tamil word "pandu" meaning "old".
The theory suggests that in early historic Tamil lexicon the word
pandya means old country in contrast with Chola meaning new country,
Chera meaning hill country and Pallav meaning branch in Sanskrit.
Another theory is that the word Pandya is derived from the Sanskrit
word Pandu to mean white or pale. Apart from these derivations mentioned,
a number of other theories do appear in historical studies.
According
to the ancient Tamil legends, the three brothers Cheran, Cholan
and Pandyan ruled in common at the southern city of Korkai. While
Pandya remained at home, his two brothers Cheran and Cholan after
a separation founded their own kingdoms in north and west. Epic
poem Silappatikaram mentions that the emblem of the Pandyas was
that of a fish. Indian traditions such as the Great Epics and the
Purans often associate southern India with Sage Agastya (who had
his ashram in the south). Agastya appears prominently in medieval
Tamil literature also.
Folklores
attributes Alli Rani
(meaning "the queen Alli") as one of the early historic
rulers of the Pandyas. She is attributed as an "amazonian queen"
whose servants were men and administrative officials and army were
women. She is thought of ruling the whole western and northern coast
of Sri Lanka from her capital Kudiramalai, where remains of what
is thought of as her fort are found. She is sometimes seen as an
incarnation of the Pandya associated gods, Meenakshi and Kannagi.
Chandra-vansh
:
The medieval Pandya kings were claimed to have belonged to the Chandra-vansh
or the Lunar Race. They claimed Pururavas and Nahush as ancestors.
Pururavas is listed as one of the ancestors in the Velvikudi Inscription
of Nedunjadaiyan Varagun-varman I (Jatil Parantak Nedunjdaiyan).
Sources
of Pandya history :
The Greek ambassador to Chandragupt Maurya, Megasthenes
mentions Queens of Pandyas as 'Pandai' and locates them in the south
of India extending into ocean. It consisted of 365 villages which
met the needs of the royal palace each day of the year. He described
the queen as daughter of Heracles (by some author as Shiv or Krishna).
Madurai, capital of Pandyas is mentioned in Kautilya's Arthashastra
(4th century BCE) as 'Mathura of the south'.
Archaeological
sources :
![](640px-Mangulam_inscription_(south_India).jpg)
Mangulam
inscription (3rd and 2nd centuries BCE)
Pandyas are also mentioned in the inscriptions of Maurya emperor
Ashok (3rd century BCE). In his inscriptions (2nd and 13th Major
Rock Edict) Ashok refers to the peoples of south India – the
Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas and Satiyaputras. These polities, although
not part of the Maurya empire, were on friendly terms with Ashok:
The
conquest by dharma has been won here, on the borders, and even six
hundred yojans (5,400–9,600 km) away, where the Greek king
Antiochos rules, beyond there where the four kings named Ptolemy,
Antigonos, Magas and Alexander rule, likewise in the south among
the Cholas, the Pandyas, and as far as Tamraparni river.
The
earliest Pandya to be found in epigraph is Nedunjeliyan, figuring
in the Tamil-Brahmi Mangulam inscription (near Madurai) assigned
to 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE. The record documents a gift of rock-cut
beds, to a Jain ascetic. It is assumed that the people found in
the Mangulam inscription, Nedunjeliyan, Kadalan, and Izhanchadikan
predates rulers such as Talaiyanganam Nedunjelyan and Palyaga-salai
Mudukudimi Peruvaludi.
Kharavela,
the Kaling king who ruled during c. 1st century BCE, in his Hathigumph
inscription, claims to have destroyed an old confederacy of Tamil
countries ("the tamira–desa–sanghata") which
had lasted 132 years, and to have acquired a large quantity of pearls
from the Pandyas.
Silver
punch-marked coins with the fish symbol of the Pandyas dating from
around the same time have also been found.
Early
Tamil literature :
The early historic Pandyas are celebrated in the earliest available
Tamil poetry. The poems refers to about twelve Pandya rulers. According
to tradition, the legendary Sangams ("the Academies")
were held in Madurai under the patronage of the Pandyas. Several
Tamil literary works, such as Iraiyanar Agapporul, mention the legend
of three separate Sangams and ascribe their patronage to the Pandyas.
Pandya
rulers from early historic south India :
•
Koon Pandya
• Nedunjeliyan I ("Aariyap Padai Kadantha")
• Puda-pandya
• "Palyagasalai" Mudukudumi Peruvaludi
• Nedunjeliyan II
• Nan Maran
• Nedunj Cheliyan III ("Talaiyaalanganathu Seruvendra")
• Maran Valudi
• Kadalan Valuthi
• Musiri Mutriya Cheliyan
• Ukkirap Peruvaludi
Pandya rulers – such as Nedunjeliyan, the Victor of Talaiyalanganam,
and Mudukudimi Peruvaludi, the Patron of Several Sacrificial Halls
("the Palyaga-salai") – find mention in a number
of poems (such as Mathuraikkanci).
Beside
several short poems found in the Akananuru and the Purananuru collections,
there are two major works – Mathuraikkanci and Netunalvatai
– which give a glimpse into the society and commercial activities
in the Pandya country during the early historic period. The Purananuru
and Agananuru collections contain poems sung in praise of various
Pandya rulers and also poems that were claimed to be composed by
the rulers themselves.
Besides
the poems, king Peruvaludi is also mentioned in later copper-plate
grant (8th–9th century CE). In the work Mathuraikkanci, the
author Mankudi Maruthanar, refers to his patron, Talaihalanganum
Nedunjeliyan, as the Lord of Korkai and the Warlord of the Southern
Parathavar People. It contains a full-length description of Madurai
and the Pandya country under the rule of Nedunjeliyan. In the famous
battle of Talaiyalanganam (in east Tanjore), the Pandya is said
to have defeated his enemies (which included the Chera and the Chola).
He is also praised for his victory of Mizhalai and Mutturu, two
"vel" centres along the ocean (in Pudukkottai). The Netunalvatai
(in the collection of Pattupattu) by Nakkirar contains a description
of king Nedunjeliyan's palace.
Foreign
sources :
Greek and Latin sources (early centuries CE) refer to the ancient
Tamil country, same as the Tamilakam, as "Lymyrike" or
"Damirice" (or Dymirice/Dimirixe or Damirice) and its
ruling families.
•
Pandyas are also mentioned by Greek author Megasthenes (4th
century BCE) where he writes about south Indian kingdom being ruled
by women. He described the Pandya country in Indika as "occupying
the portion of India which lies southward and extends to the sea".
According to his account, the kingdom had 365 villages, each of
which was expected to meet the needs of the royal household for
one day in the year. He described the Pandya queen at the time,
Pandaia as the daughter of Hercules.
• Pliny the Elder refers to the Pandya ruler of Madurai in
general terms (first century CE).
• The author of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (first
century CE) describes the riches of a "Pandian kingdom"
...Nelcynda is distant from Muziris by river and sea about five
hundred stadia, and is of another kingdom, the Pandian. This place
[Nelcynda] also is situated on a river, about one hundred and twenty
stadia from the [Arabian] sea....
•
The country of the Pandyas was described as Pandya Mediterranea
and Modura Regia Pandionis by Ptolemy (c. 140 CE).
• Strabo states that an Indian king called Pandion
sent Augustus Caesar "presents and gifts of honour". The
1st-century Greek historian Nicolaus of Damascus met, at Antioch,
the ambassador sent by a king from India "named Pandion or,
according to others, Porus" to Caesar Augustus around 13 CE
(Strabo XV.4 and 73).
• The Roman emperor Julian received an embassy from
a Pandya about 361 CE.
• Chinese historian Yu Huan in his 3rd-century CE text, the
Weilüe, mentions the Panyue kingdom :
...the kingdom of Panyue is also called Hanyuewang. It is several
thousand li to the southeast of Tianzhu (northern India)...The inhabitants
are small; they are the same height as the Chinese...
Scholar
John E. Hill identified Panyue as Pandya kingdom. However, others
have identified it with an ancient state located in modern Burma
or Assam.
•
The Chinese traveler Xuanzang mentions a kingdom further south from
Kanchipuram, a kingdom named Malakutta, identified with Madurai
described by his Buddhist friends at Kanchipuram.
• In the later part of the 13th century (in 1288 and 1293
CE) Venetian traveller Marco Polo visited the Pandya kingdom and
left a vivid description of the land and its people.
The darkest man is here the most highly esteemed and better than
the others who are not so dark. Let me add that in very truth these
people portray and depict their gods and their idols black and their
devils white as snow. For they say that god and all the saints are
black and the devils are all white. That is why they portray them
as I have described.
Early
historic Pandyas :
![](640px-A_sunrise_over_Vaigai_River_in_Madurai_Tamil_Nadu_India.jpg)
Vaigai
River in Madurai
Maurya emperor Ashok (3rd century BCE) seems to have been
on friendly terms with the people of south India and Sri Lanka (the
Cholas, the Pandyas, the Satiya Putras, the Kerala Putras and the
Tamraparnis). There are no indications that Ashok tried to conquer
the extreme south India (the Tamilakam – the Abode of the
Tamils).
The
three chiefly lines of the early historic south India – the
Cheras, Pandyas and Cholas – were known as the mu-vendar ("the
three vendars"). They traditionally based
at their original headquarters in the interior Tamil Nadu (Karur,
Madurai and Uraiyur respectively). The powerful chiefdoms
of the three ventar dominated the political and economic life of
early historic south India. The frequent conflicts between the Chera,
the Chola and the Pandya are well documented in ancient (the Sangam)
Tamil poetry. The Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas also controlled the
ports of Muziris (Muchiri), Korkai and Kaveri respectively (for
the trade with the Graeco-Roman world). The gradual shift from chiefdoms
to kingdoms seems to have occurred in the following period.
![](640px-Temple_between_hill_symbols_and_elephant_coin_of_the_Pandyas_Sri_Lanka_1st_century_CE.jpg)
Pandya coin with temple between hills and elephant (Sri
Lanka ca. 1st century CE) (British Museum)
The famous inscription of king Kharavel at Hathigumph (mid-first
century BCE) mentions the defeat of a confederacy of the "Tramir"
countries which had been a threat to Kaling. It also remembers the
precious pearls brought to the capital as booty from the "Pandya"
realm. The Pandya chiefdom was famous for its pearl fisheries and
silk industry. Korkai and Alagankulam are believed to have been
the exchange centres of the Pandyas. Korkai, a port at the mouth
of the river Tambraparni, was linked to the famous pearl fisheries
and Alagankulam was also developed as a port.
A
number of coins attributed to early historic Pandyas are found from
the region. Inscriptions, datable to c. 2nd century BCE, recording
royal grants – both from royals and wealthy commoners –
were also discovered from the Pandya country.
The
Pandya seems to be the most prominent of the three "ventar"
rulers. There are even references to a Pandya queen from 3rd century
BCE representing a confederacy of the Tamil countries. Madurai,
in south Tamil Nadu, was the most important cultural centre in south
India as the core of the Tamil speakers. Megalithic relics
such as menhirs, dolmens, urn burials, stone circles and rock-cut
chambers/passages can be found in south India. Burial goods
include iron objects, ivory ornaments, Black-and-Red Ware and even
some Roman Imperial coins. The so-called "velir" hill
chieftains are assumed to be associated with these megalithic burials.
Greek
and Latin accounts (early centuries CE), coins with legends in Tamil-Brahmi
script, and Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions suggest the continuity of
the Pandya dynasty from the 3rd century BCE to early centuries CE.
The early Pandyas, along with the Cheras and the Cholas, were eventually
displaced by the Kalabhra dynasty.
Medieval
Pandyas :
Pandya revival (7th–10th centuries CE) :
![](S-TN-71_Vettuvan_Koil_Tuticorin.jpg)
Vettuvan
Koil, Kalugumalai, Tuticorin. Pandya kingdom, 8th century CE
![](569px-FourArmedVishnuPandyaDynasty8-9thCentury.jpg)
Enthroned
god Vishnu, Pandya dynasty, second half of the 8th–early 9th
century CE (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City)
![](454px-The_Hindu_Saint_Manikkavacakar_LACMA_AC1997.16.1_(1_of_12).jpg)
Manikkavachakar,
Shaiva poet-saint and minister of Pandya king Varaguna II (dated
to early 12th century) Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Pandya kingdom was revived by king Kadungon (r. 590–620
CE) towards the end of the 6th century CE. In the Velvikudi inscription,
a later copper-plate, Kadungon appears as the "destroyer"
of the "anti-Brahmanical" Kalabhra kings. With the decline
of the Kalabhra dynasty, the Pandyas grew steadily in power and
territory. With the Cholas in obscurity in Uraiyur, the Tamil country
was divided between the Pallavs of Kanchi and the Pandyas of Madurai.
From
6th century to 9th century CE, the Chalukyas of Badami, the Pallavs
of Kanchi, and Pandyas of Madurai dominated the politics of south
India. The Badami Chalukyas were eventually replaced by
the Rashtrakuts in the Deccan. The Pandyas took on the
growing Pallav ambitions in south India, and from time to time they
also joined in alliances with the kingdoms of the Deccan Plateau
(such as with the Gangas of Talakad in late 8th century CE). In
the middle of the 9th century, the Pandyas had managed to advance
as far as Kumbakonam (north-east of Tanjore on the Kollidam river).
Sendan
(r. 654–70 CE), the third king of the Pandyas of Madurai,
is known for expanding his kingdom to the Chera country (western
Tamil Nadu and central Kerala). Arikesari Maravarman (r. 670–700
CE), the fourth Pandya ruler, is known for his battles against the
Pallavs of Kanchi. Pallav king Narasimhavarman I (r. 630–68
CE), the famous conqueror of Badami, claimed to have defeated the
Pandyas. Chalukya king Paramesvaravarman I "Vikramaditya"
(r. 670–700 CE) is known to have fought battles with the Pallavs,
the Gangas, and probably with the Pandyas too, on the Kaveri basin.
Kirtivarman
II (r. 744/5–55 CE), the last Chalukya king, managed to lose
to his southern countries as a result of his battles with the Pandyas.
Pandya kings Maravarman Rajasimha I (r. 730–65 CE) and Nedunjadaiyan/Varagunavarman
I (r. 765–815 CE) threatened Pallav king Nandivarman II Pallavmalla
(r. 731–96 CE) who had managed to defeat the Gangas in around
760 CE. Varagunavarman I invaded the Pallav country, conquered the
Kongu country (western Tamil Nadu) and Venadu (south Kerala). King
Srimara Srivallabha (r. 815–62 CE) sailed to Sri Lanka, subjugated
king Sena I, and sacked his capital Anuradhapura (the Panya invasion
of Sri Lanka followed a period of vassalage). However, Srimara Srivallabha
was soon overpowerd by Pallav king Nripatunga (r. 859–99 CE).
Sena II, the king of Sri Lanka, invaded the Pandya country, sacked
Madurai and chose Varagunavarman II (r. c. 862–880 CE) as
the new king soon after. It is proposed that the start of the Kollam
Era, the Kerala calendar, in 825 CE marked the liberation of Venadu
from Pandya control.
During
the rule of Dantivarman (r. 796–847 CE), the Pallav territory
was reduced by the encroachment from the Pandyas from the south
(and Rashtrakutas and the Telugu-Cholas from north). Pallav king
Nandivarman III (r. 846–69 CE) was able to defeat the Pandyas
and Telugu-Cholas (and even the Rashtrakutas) with the help of the
Gangas and the emerging Cholas.
Pandya
kings (6th – 10th century CE) :
Pandya
ruler |
Reign |
Kadungon |
c. 590
– 620 CE |
Maravarman
Avanisulamani |
c. 620
– 645 CE |
Cheliyan
Sendan (Chendan) |
c. 654
– 670 CE |
Arikesari
Maravarman (Parankusan) |
c. 670
– 700 CE |
Ko
Chadaiyan Ranadhira |
c. 700
– 730 CE |
Maravarman
Rajasimha I |
c. 730
– 765 CE |
Jatila
Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan
(Varaguna-varman I) |
c. 765
– 815 CE |
Maravarman
Srimara Srivallabha |
c. 815
– 862 CE |
Varaguna-varman
II |
c. 862
– 880 CE |
Parantaka
Viranarayana |
c. 880
– 900/905 CE |
Maravarman
Rajasimha II |
c. 900
– 920 CE |
![](640px-Jaina_abode_Kalugumalai.jpeg)
Kalugumalai
Jain beds, Pandya kingdom, king Jatila Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan (8th
century CE)
Under
Chola influence (10th–13th centuries) :
![](South_India_in_early_11th_century_AD.jpg)
Pandya
country in the Chola Empire (12th century)
While the Pandyas and the Rashtrakuts were busy engaging the
Pallavs, with the Gangas and the Simhalas (Sri Lanka) also in the
mix, the Cholas emerged from the Kaveri delta and took on the chieftains
of Thanjavur (the Mutharaiyar chieftain had transferred their loyalty
from the Pallav to the Pandya). The Chola king Vijayalaya conquered
Thanjavur by defeating the Mutharaiyar chieftain around c. 850 CE.
The Pandya control north of the Kaveri river was severely weakened
by this move (and straightened the position of the Pallav ruler
Nripatunga). Pandya ruler Varaguna-varman II (r. c. 862–880
CE) responded by marching into the Chola country and facing a formidable
alliance of Pallav prince Aparajita, the Chola king Aditya I and
the Ganga king Prithvipati I. The Pandya king suffered a crushing
defeat (c. 880 CE) in a battle fought near Kumbakonam.
By
c. 897 CE, Chola king Aditya I was the master of the old Pallav,
Ganga and Kongu countries. It is a possibility that Aditya I conquered
the Kongu country from the Pandya king Parantak Virnarayan (r. 880–900
CE). Parantak I, successor to Aditya, invaded the Pandya territories
in 910 CE and captured Madurai from king Maravarman Rajasimha II
(hence the title "Madurai Konda"). Rajasimha II received
help from the Sri Lankan king Kassap V, still got defeated by Parantaka
I in the battle of Vellur, and fled to Sri Lanka. Rajasimha then
found refuge in the Chera country, leaving even his royal insignia
in Sri Lanka, the home of his mother.
The
Cholas were defeated by a Rashtrakut-lead confederacy in the battle
of Takkolam in 949 CE. By mid-950s, the Chola kingdom had shrunk
to the size of a small principality (its vassals in the extreme
south had proclaimed their independence). It is a possibility that
Pandya ruler Vira Pandya defeated Chola king Gandaraditya and claimed
independence. Chola ruler Sundar Parantak II (r. 957–73) responded
by defeating Vira Pandya I in two battles (and Chola prince Aditya
II killed Vira Pandya on the second occasion). The Pandyas were
assisted by Sri Lanka forces of king Mahind IV.
Chola
emperor Rajaraja I (r. 985–1014 CE) is known to have attacked
the Pandyas. He fought against an alliance of the Pandya, Chera
and Sri Lankan kings, and defeated the Cheras and "deprived"
the Pandyas of their ancient capital Madurai. Emperor Rajendra
I continued to occupy the Pandya kingdom, and even appointed a series
of Chola viceroys with the title "Chola Pandya" to rule
from Madurai (over Pandya and Western Chera/Kerala countries). The
very of beginning of Chola emperor Kulottunga's rule (r. from 1070
CE) was marked by the loss of Sri Lanka and a rebellion in the Pandya
country.
The
second half of the 12th century witnessed a major internal crisis
in the Pandya country (between princes Parakram Pandya and Kulsekhar
Pandya). The neighbouring kingdoms of Sri Lanka, under Parakrambahu
I, Venadu Chera/Kerala, under the Kulasekharas, and the Cholas,
under Rajadhiraj II and Kulottung III, joinined in and took sides
with any of the two princes or their kins.
Pandya
kings (10th century–first half of 11th century CE) :
•
Sundara Pandya I
• Vir Pandya I (Veerapandyan)
• Vir Pandya II
• Amarbhujang Tivrakop
• Srivallabh Mankulchal (1101–1124 CE)
• Marvarman Srivallabh (1132–1161 CE)
• Parakram I (1161–1162 CE)
• Kulshekhar III
• Vir Pandya III
• Jatvarman Srivallabh (1175–1180 CE)
• Jatvarman Kulsehekhar I (1190–1216 CE)
Imperial
Pandyas (13th–14th centuries) :
The Pandya empire included extensive territories, at times including
large portions of south India and Sri Lanka. The rule of the empire
was shared among several royals, one of them enjoying primacy over
the rest. The Pandya king at Madurai thus controlled these vast
regions through the collateral family branches subject to Madurai.
![](640px-An_aerial_view_of_Madurai_city_from_atop_of_Meenakshi_Amman_temple.jpg)
An aerial view of Madurai city from Meenakshi Temple
Pandya
kings (13th–14th centuries CE) :
Pandya
ruler |
Reign |
Marvarman
Sundar I |
1216 –
1238 CE |
Sundaravarman
Kulasekara II |
1238 –
1240 CE |
Marvarman
Sundar II |
1238 –
1251 CE |
Jatavarman
Sundara I |
1251 –
1268 CE |
Marvarman
Sundar I |
1268 –
1310 CE |
Sundara
Pandya IV |
1309 –
1327 CE |
Vira
Pandya IV |
1309 –
1345 CE |
Marvarman
Sundar I :
The foundation for the Pandya supremacy in south India was laid
by Marvarman Sundar I early in the 13th century. He succeeded his
older brother Jatvarman Kulshekhar in 1216. He invaded the Chola
country, sacked Uraiyur and Thanjavur, and drove the Chola king
Kulothung III into exile. The Chola king subsequently made a formal
submission to Marvarman Sundar I and acknowledged his overlordship.
Attempts by the next Chola king Rajaraja III (1216 – 46 CE)
for self-rule (to stop the Pandya invasion into the Chola country),
with the help of the Hoysals king Narasimha II (r. 1220 –
1238 CE), resulted in a battle between the Pandya and Hoysal forces
at Mahendramangalam on the Kaveri Valley. Marvarman Sundar I was
defeated and Rajaraja III was restored in the Chola country. Sometime
later Chola prince Rajendra III attacked the Pandyas and defeated
two Pandya royals including Marvarman Sundar II. Hoysala king Somesvara
(r. 1233 – 1267 CE) then came to the aid of the Pandyas, defeated
Rajendra III and then made peace with the Cholas.
![](526px-Double_fish_Pandyan_relief,_Koneswaram.jpg)
Jatvarman
Vira II's fish insignia at Koneswaram temple in Trincomalee (Eastern
Province)
Jatvarman Sundar I ascended the Pandya throne in 1251 CE. He led
his army to the Chola country (even as far as Nellore), to Sri Lanka
and to south Kerala. He was also successful in confining the Hoysala
control to the Mysore Plateau (the ancient Chola country was now
overrun by the Pandyas). Kanchi functioned as the second major city
in the kingdom. In his conquests, Jatvarman Sundar I was assisted
by number of Pandya royals such as Jatvarman Vir Pandya.
Jatvarman
Sundar I subdued Rajendra II around 1258–1260 CE and made
him pay tribute. The rule of the Cholas ended c. 1279 with Rajendra
III. The Pandya attacked the Hoysals in the Kaveri and captured
the fort of Kannanur Koppam. Hoysal king Someshvar was forced to
fall back into the Mysore Plateau. The Hoysal king, pressed by enemies
from north and south, "assigned" the southern half of
his kingdom to his younger son Ramnath (r. 1254–1292). Someshwar
was eventually killed by the Pandya in 1262 CE. Ramnath managed
to recover Kannanur and hold against the Pandya power. Jatvarman
Sundar I also came into conflict with the Kadav ruler Kopperunjing
II. It seems that Ban (Magdai) and Kongu countries came under the
Pandya rule during the wars against the Hoysals and the Kadavs.
Jatvarman Sundar I also fought the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati (1199–1262).
Sri Lanka was invaded by Jatvarman Sundar I in 1258 and on his behalf
by his younger brother Jatvarman Vir II between 1262 and 1264 CE.
The island was again invaded and defeated by Jatvarman Vir II in
1270 CE.
Marvarman
Kulshekhar I :
Sundar Pandya I (died in 1268) was succeeded by Marvarman Sundar
I. Around 1279 the combined force of Hoysala king Ramanatha and
Rajendra III was defeated by Marvarman Sundar I. Marvarman Sundar
I, now virtually unchallenged, ruled over the Chola country and
southern Tamil speaking portions of Hoysal kingdom. He also invaded
Sri Lanka, ruled by Bhuvanaikabahu I, "carried away to the
Pandya country the venerable Tooth Relic", and the wealth of
the island. Sri Lanka remained under Pandya control until c. 1308–1309
CE.
Decline
of Pandyas :
After the death of Marvarman Kulshekhar I (1310), his sons Vir Pandya
IV and Sundar Pandya IV fought a war of succession for control of
the empire. It seems that Marvarman Kulshekhar wanted Vir Pandya
to succeed him (who in turn was defeated by Sundar Pandya after
a short period of time). Unfortunately, the Pandya civil war coincided
with the Khalji raids in south India. Taking advantage of the political
situation, the neighbouring Hoysal king Ballal III invaded the Pandya
territory. However, Ballal had to retreat to his capital, when Khilji
general Malik Kafur invaded his kingdom at the same time. After
subjugating Ballala III, the Khilji forces marched to the Pandya
territory in March 1311. The Pandya brothers fled their headquarters,
and the Khiljis pursued them unsuccessfully. By late April 1311,
the Khiljis gave up their plans to pursue the Pandya princes, and
returned to Delhi with the plunder. By 1312 the Pandya control over
south Kerala was also lost.
After
the departure of the Khiljis, Vir and Sundar Pandya resumed their
conflict. Sundar Pandya was defeated, and sought help from the Khiljis.
With their help, he regained control of the South Arcot region by
1314. Subsequently, there were two more expeditions from the sultanate
in 1314 led by Khusro Khan and in 1323 by Ulugh Khan (Muhammad bin
Tughluq) under sultan Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq.
The
family quarrels and the sultanate invasions shattered the Pandya
empire beyond revival and coinage discoveries made imply that the
Pandyas were left with the old South Arcot region. In 1323, the
Jaffna kingdom declared its independence from the crumbling Pandya
influence.
Tenkasi
Pandyas (14th–16th centuries) :
The Pandya kings from Sadavarman Parakram Pandya to his successors
who ruled with Tenkasi as their capital. With the invasion of the
Sultanates, Vijaynagars, and Nayakars from the fourteenth century
onwards, the Pandyas lost their traditional capital of Madurai and
shifted to cities like Tenkasi and Tirunelveli. Tenkasi was the
last capital of the Pandyas. All the Pandyas from Sadavarman
Parakram Pandya and his next generations were crowned in the Adheenam
Mutt in Kasi Vishwanathar temple. During the same period, some Pandyas
ruled with Tirunelveli as their capital. Kayatharu, Vadakkuvalliyur,
and Ukkirankottai are some of their major cities. Inscriptions on
them are found in Tenkasi's Kasi Viswanathar temple, Brahmadesham,
Tirunelveli dt.Brahmadesham, Cheranmadevi, Ambasamudram, Kalakkad
and Pudukkottai (Goddess Bhuvneshwari Temple is also in Pudukkottai).
The last Pandyan king to be known in the history of the Pandyas
was Kolkond, who was also among the Tenkasi Pandyas.
Although
the Vijaynagar Empire and the Nayaks ruled Madurai after the 14th
century, they were occasionally opposed by the Pandyas. Sometimes
they have ruled Madurai. Prominent among them were Sadavarman Vikrama
Pandya (1401–1422 AD) and his son, Arikesari Parakram Pandya.
They had built 32 forts around Madurai. Later, when Vishwanath Nayakkar
became the Madurai Mandalasuvaran, he feared of Pandya resurgence
in Madurai. He divided Madurai into 72 districts, including 16 districts
of those closest to the Pandyas. He gave them positions and made
them separate from the Pandyas. This made Pandyas to lose Madurai
forever.
Legacy
:
While the previous sultanate raids were content with plunder, the
Tughluqs under Ulugh Khan (later Muhammad bin Tughluq) annexed the
former Pandya dominions to the sultanate as the province of Ma'bar.
Most of south India came under the sultanate rule and was divided
into five provinces – Devagiri, Tiling, Kampili, Dorsamudra
and Ma'bar. Jalal ud-Din Hasan Khan was appointed governor of the
newly created southernmost Ma'bar province. In c. 1334, Jalal ud-Din
Hasan Khan declared his independence and created Madurai sultanate.
The Pandyas shifted their capital to Tenkasi and continued to rule
a small area until the end of the 16th century as Tenkasi Pandyas.
Bukk
Rai I of Vijaynagar empire conquered the city of Madurai in c. 1370,
imprisoned the sultan, released and restored Arcot's prince Sambuv
Rai to the throne. Bukk Rai I appointed his son Veer Kumar Kampan
as the viceroy of the Tamil region. Meanwhile, Madurai sultanate
was replaced by the Nayak governors of Vijaynagar in 1378. In 1529
the Nayak governors declared independence and established Madurai
Nayak dynasty.
Economy
:
![](Silk_route.jpg)
Ancient
Silk Road trade routes
Early historic :
The
gopura of Nellaiappar Temple
The Pandya country, located at the extreme south-western tip of
South Asia, served as an important meeting point throughout the
history of the India. The location was economically and geopolitically
significant as a key point connecting the shipping between Southeast
Asia and the Middle East. Graeco-Roman merchants frequented the
ancient Tamil country, present day south India and Sri Lanka, securing
contacts with the Tamil chiefdoms of the Pandya, Chola and Chera
families. The western sailors also established a number of trading
settlements on the harbours of the ancient Tamil region.
![](Coin_Pandya_Bull_Obv_2.jpg)
One of the early coins of the Pandyas showing their emblem
of the Two Fishes
The trade with South Asia by the Greco-Roman world flourished since
the time of the Ptolemaic dynasty a few decades before the start
of the Common Era and remained long after the fall of the Western
Roman Empire. The contacts between south India and the Middle East
continued even after the Byzantium's loss of the ports of Egypt
and the Red Sea in the 7th century CE.
The
early historic Pandya country was famous for its supply of pearls.
The ancient port of Korkai, in present-day Thoothukudi, was the
center of pearl trade. Written records from Graeco-Roman and Egyptian
voyagers give details about the pearl fisheries off the Gulf of
Mannar. Greek historian Megasthenes reported about the pearl fisheries,
indicating that the Pandyas derived great wealth from the pearl
trade. Convicts were according to the Periplus of the Erythraean
Sea used as pearl divers in Korkai. The Periplus even mentions that
"pearls inferior to the Indian sort are exported in great quantity
from the marts of Apologas and Omana". The pearls from the
Pandya country were also in demand in the kingdoms of north India.
Literary references of the pearl fishing mention how the fishermen,
who dive into the sea, avoid attacks from sharks, bring up the right-whorled
chank and blow on the sounding shell.
Pandya
coinage :
The early coins of Tamilakam bore the symbols of the Three
Crowned Kings, the tiger, the fish and the bow, representing the
symbols of the Cholas, Pandyas and Cheras. Coins of Pandyas
bear the legend of different Pandya ruler in different times. The
Pandyas had issued silver punch-marked and die struck copper coins
in the early period. A few gold coins were attributed to the Pandya
rulers of this period. These coins bore the image of fish, singly
or in pairs, which were their emblem.
Some
of the coins had the names Sundar, Sundar Pandya or merely the letter
'Su' were etched. Some of the coins bore a boar with the legend
of 'Vir-Pandya. It had been said that those coins were issued by
the Pandyas and the feudatories of the Cholas but could not be attributed
to any particular king. The coins of Pandyas were basically square.
Those coins were etched with elephant on one side and the other
side remained blank. The inscription on the silver and gold coins
during the Pandyas, were in Tamil-Brahmi and the copper coins bore
the Tamil legends. The coins of the Pandyas, which bore the fish
symbols, were termed as 'Kodandaraman' and 'Kanchi' Valangum Perumal'.
Apart from these, 'Ellamthalaiyanam' was seen on coins which had
the standing king on one side and the fish on the other. 'Samarakolahalam'
and 'Bhuvanekaviram' were found on the cois having a Garud, 'Konerirayan'
on coins having a bull and 'Kaliyugaraman' on coins that depict
a pair of feet.
Religion
:
![](640px-Mariage_of_Shiva_and_Parvati_(Meenakshi)_witnessed_by_Vishnu,_Meenakshi_Temple,_Madurai_(2)_(36857653813).jpg)
God Vishnu, goddess Meenakshi and god Shiv (Meenakshi Temple,
Madurai)
The Pandya period (c. 13th century CE) was characterised by a temple-centered
elite form of Hinduism, a popular bhakti religion and an even more
widespread local forms of Hinduism. The distinctions between the
three were not clearly differentiated. The worship of the gods Vishnu
and Shiva was generally supported by the elite. The bhakti movement
emphasized the mutual intense emotional attachment between the god
and the devotee.
The
Pandya country was home to a number of renowned temples including
Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. As some of the largest employers and
landowners of the Pandya country, the temples played an important
part in the Tamil economy and society. They generally also served
as banks, schools, dispensaries, and poorhouses (thus performing
valuable social functions). The large walled temple complexes of
the Pandya country also contained several administrative offices
and bazaars.
It
is known that the early Pandya rulers followed Jainism while at
some point they converted to Hinduism. They supported the Bhakti
movement from both Shaivism and Vaishnavism of Hinduism.
Architecture
:
Madurai,
Tamil Nadu at dawn
![](Meenakshi_Amman_West_Tower.jpg)
Meenakshi
Temple, Madurai
![](640px-Natarajartemple1.jpg)
Natraj
Temple, Chidambaram
The early temple architecture phase in Tamil Nadu opens with the
rock-cut cave temples.
The
Tamil country is home to the 'South Indian' or 'Dravidian' style
of medieval temple architecture.
•
Typical temple consists of a hall and a square sanctum (the gabhgrah)
• The foundation block, or socle, is known as the adhishsthan.
• Walls of the sanctum are generally divided by pilasters.
• Superstructure: 'kutin' type (stepped stories in pyramidal
form with decorative bands/parapets or the hdras)
• The parapet is composed of miniature shrines (called
the kuts and sals) connected by wall elements (the harantaras).
• On top, a necking that supports a solid dome, or cupola
(crowned by a pot and finial)—the shikhar.
• Gopur: the great entrance buildings
The major Pandya contributions to the Dravidian architecture comes
after the Pallav (7th–9th centuries) and the Chola periods
(9th–12th centuries).
•
Gopurs are extremely large and elaborately decorated (capped by
a barrel vault).
• Successively built walls and gopurs.
Finest Pandya architecture :
• Jambukeshwar Temple, Tiruchirapalli
• Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
• Natraj Temple, Chidambaram
Source
:
https://www.jatland.com/
home/Pandya
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Pandya_dynasty