The Later Pandyas from 6th c AD to 16th C AD

Introduction

Three phases of the later Pandyas The First Pandian Empire (6th – 10th centuries CE) Under Chola Influence (10th – 13th centuries) The Second Pandian Empire (13th and 14th centuries) They were meager rulers from the 15th to 16th centuries

The Later Pandyas Kingdom Government Monarchy Official Language Tamil Capitals Madurai Later time Tirunelveli Preceding State Kalabhras Succeeding State Delhi Sultnate

Marco Polo, a Venetian traveler visited Pandya country twice: once in 1288 and again in 1292. In his account, Kayal, the port capital of the Pandya Kingdom was a prosperous port and a beautiful city.

The greatest Kings The Later Pandyas (1150-1350) entered their golden age under Maravman Sundara and Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan, who expanded the empire into Telugu country, conquered Kalinga(Orrisa) and invaded and conquered Sri Lanka.

The Pandya kings were constantly at war with Cholas and Ceylon. In the eleventh and the twelfth centuries, the Pandyas were compelled to owe allegiance to the Cholas. It was in the thirteenth century that the Pandya kingdom acquired independence and became one of the important powers of the Deccan.

With the fall of the Tamil power at the hands of Malik Kafur in 1310 AD, the Pandya kingdom also came to an end in Madurai. The Pandyas moved towards Tirunelveli and made it as their capital. They were called Thenkasi Pandyas in the last days of their rule. Kumara Kampana, son of Bukka (Vijayanagar ruler) invaded Tamil Country at the end of the 14th Century. During their history, the Pandyas were repeatedly in conflict with the Pallavas, Cholas, Hoysalas and finally the Muslim invaders from the Delhi Sultanate. The Pandyan Kingdom finally became extinct after the establishment of the Vijayanagar Empire in the 16th Century.