PANDIYAN DYNASTY

Pandyan dynasty and Tamil language:

The growth of Tamil language and it’s literature is primarily due to the liberal patronage of the Pandyan kingdom. They were the torch bearers of the first two mythical sangams and the epigraphically proven third sangam at Madurai.

Some known pandyan kings of sangam times:

Koon Pandya

Nedunjeliyan 1

Puda-pandya

Nan Maran

Some important Sangam literature

Tolkāppiyam

Akanāṉūṟu

Puṟanāṉūṟu

Iṉṉā Nāṟpatu

Iṉiyavai Nāṟpatu

Tirukkural ( Though some believe it belongs to Kalabhras period.)

Richest kingdom of India:

According to Marcopolo The Pandyan kingdom was the richest in India under Maravarman Kulasekara (1268–1310).

Their pearl fort fisheries at Kulasekara pattinam and Korkai brought them huge wealth from western countries.

This was the reason for Delhi sultanate to invade and plunder south India

Pandyas and Tamil empires:

Pandyas never reached the empire status like Cholas and Pallavas.They were well protected by cholas, cheras and Pallavas . Their geographical location in Deep South protected them from savage attacks which Thondai Mandalam, kongu , chera chola mandalam bore with which were also repulsed .They were protected by Indian Ocean down still south.There were seldom invasions from Srilanka . The very few that happened were to protect Pandyas from cholas.

Minimum extent of Pandyas:

Maximum extent of Pandyas:

Three Pandyan kings tried to create an empire.

Rajashimma 730–750 defeated Chalukyas and gangas to annex southern Karnataka. But he also assisted non Tamil kingdoms of Chalukyas and Gangas to defeat Pallavas .

Maravarman sundara 1 & Kulasekara 1(1251–1310) defeated Hoysalas and Kakatiyas.

Pandyas have a long history of aligning with Sinhalese kingdoms and troubling cholas.Despite being the richest they failed to protect Tamizhagam from the invading sultan.

When a chola chieftain captured Madurai, from Vijayanagar and Telugu Naickars,Pandyas promptly approached Krishna Devaraya to defeat the cholas.

Because of such acts Pandyas have become less famous when compared to cholas and Pallavas despite their enormous contributions to the Tamil language.