Pandyan Kingdom

The Pandya was one of the three small Dhravidian races that occupied the southern end of India. Around 700 BC, the Dhravidians have penetrated in S. India and organized themselves into distinguished society. Titles such as Solan, Pandiyan and Kerala shows the existence of such a society. Early Pandyan Kingdom covered a large part of modern Madura and Tinnevelly district during the 1st century AD. Their original capital was Kolkoi (at Thambraparny River Tinnevelly) and later at Madura. Ashokan edict of 3 BC denominator of Pandya. Kongu Ratta inscription of the early 5th century AD registered with the conflict in Pandya Kongu Ratta. Not much is known about Pandya then onwards until the 7th century AD. Chéra, possibly remained allied with Pandya for a greater period than Chola. Dependence of Chola and Cheras allowed them to continue with the free movement and trade along Sri Lanka. Around 940 AD, the Chola reduced Rajaraja Pandya a condition of tributary dependence and the position continued in the next two centuries. After Chola dominance took Madura Sultans, Vijayanagara Rayas, Nayakas of Madura, Nawab of Arcot's turn to reign when the powerful Pandyan Kingdom. Pandya was limited to minor areas of Tinnevelly district. In the late 16th century, the Pandya dynasty disappeared from the Indian scene once and for all.

Madhurapuri (Madurai) grew and prospered to become the capital Pandyan Kingdom. It is mentioned in Ramayana and Kautily `s Arthashastra. Megasthenes (302 BC), Pliny (77 AD) and Ptolemy (140 AD) wrote of "Madura, Pandian Kingdom." Macro Polo visited Madurai in 1293 AD, and Ibn Batuta in 1333 AD. Madurai lies on the banks

Dynasty extended its power to Kerala (south India) and Sri Lanka during the reigns of kings Kadungon (ruled 590-620), Arikesar Maravarman (670-700), Varagunamaharaja I (765-815), and Srimara Srivallabha (815-862). Pandya influence peaked in Jatavarman Sundara's reign 1251-1268. After Madurai was invaded by troops from the Delhi sultanate in 1311, fell in just Pandya local rulers.

The early Pandyan dynasty Sangam literature went into obscurity during the invasion Kalabhras. Dynasty revived under Kadungon the beginning of the 6th century, pushed Kalabhras out of the Tamil country and ruled from Madurai. They again went into decline with the rise in Chola in the 9th century and was in constant conflict with them. Pandya allied themselves with the Sinhalese and Kerala in harass Chola empire until they found an opportunity to revive their fortunes in the late 13th century. Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan (approximately 1251) expanded their empire in the Telugu country and invaded Sri Lanka to conquer the northern half of the island. They also had extensive trade relations with Southeast Asian maritime empires of Srivijaya and their successors.