Second Pandyan Empire – Sources - Rulers | Tamil Nadu State PSC (TNPSC): Preparation - TNPSC (Tamil Nadu) PDF Download

 Page 1


33
UNIT – II
The Pandyas are one among the great Moovendars of the T amil
country . The Pandyas who ruled T amil country during the sangam period,
are called sangam Pandyas. After defeating the kalabhras the Pandya
rulers ruled between 550 AD to 950 AD. They were called as first
Pandyas. After the fall of the great pallavas and the cholas once again
the Pandyas ruled the T amil country from 1190 AD to 1310 AD. They
were called as second Pandyas. Totally the Pandyas ruled the Tamil
country three times for about 460 years. Madurai was the capital of the
Pandyas. Fish was the royal emblem of the Pandyas.
Sources:  History of the second Pandya empire can be written with
the help of the relevant source materials. Plenty of sources are available
in this regard. Velvikkudi plates, Seevaramangalam plates.
Thalavaipuramplates and chinnamanur plates speak about the war
victories and administration of the Pandya rulers. Inscriptions, coins,
monuments and the writings of foreign travellers speak about the Pandya
rulers and their achievements.
Page 2


33
UNIT – II
The Pandyas are one among the great Moovendars of the T amil
country . The Pandyas who ruled T amil country during the sangam period,
are called sangam Pandyas. After defeating the kalabhras the Pandya
rulers ruled between 550 AD to 950 AD. They were called as first
Pandyas. After the fall of the great pallavas and the cholas once again
the Pandyas ruled the T amil country from 1190 AD to 1310 AD. They
were called as second Pandyas. Totally the Pandyas ruled the Tamil
country three times for about 460 years. Madurai was the capital of the
Pandyas. Fish was the royal emblem of the Pandyas.
Sources:  History of the second Pandya empire can be written with
the help of the relevant source materials. Plenty of sources are available
in this regard. Velvikkudi plates, Seevaramangalam plates.
Thalavaipuramplates and chinnamanur plates speak about the war
victories and administration of the Pandya rulers. Inscriptions, coins,
monuments and the writings of foreign travellers speak about the Pandya
rulers and their achievements.
34 35
Inscriptions: Inscriptions excavated from Chidambaram tell about the
personal courage of the Pandya kings in the battle fields and details
about the places captured by the Pandya rulers. Inscriptions of
Pudukottai throw much light on the judicial and revenue administration
of the second Pandyas. Pudukkottai inscriptions also tell about
Kulasekara Pandya’s policies towards land survey and taxation.
Thiruvandipuram inscriptions explain about the warfare of Maravarman
Sundara Pandya. Srirangam inscriptions tell about the victories of Pandya
kings. Thirunelveli inscriptions give the names and the titles of the Pandya
kings.
Inscriptions of the Cholas, Telugucholas, Kadavarayar,
Sambuvarayar and Kakathiyas speak about the glory of the Pandya
rule. More informations are given about Maravarman Sundara Pandya–
I, in the inscriptions of Gudimiyanmalai, Rangamali, Thenkasi and
Tiruvateeeswaram. Particularly Tirunelveli inscriptions speak about
Maravarman Kulasekaran-I’s victory over the cheras and cholas. They
also speak about the wealth that Maravarman had taken from cheras
and cholas and used for the construction of the prakara of Thirunelveli
temple. The informations of Maravarman can be obtained from the
inscriptions of Achirupakkam, Chidambaram, Tirukkovilur .
Numismatics:  The second Pandya Kings issued coins with names
and titles of the rulers. Coins bearing the name as ‘Sonadukondan’,
belong to the period of Maravarman Sundara Pandya-I. Sir Walter
Elliot writes about the Chola coins. Through these numismatic sources
we come to know about the economic condition of the Pandya period.
Few gold coins tell about the rulers of Pandya Kingdom. These coins
have a fish or a pair of fishes, the symbol of Pandya kingdom on one
side. Names of the Pandya kings are engraved on the other side of the
coins. Many coins bear the name Sundra Pandya. These coins talk
about the conquests and defeats of the Pandyas.
Monuments: The cave temples found in Tirumalaipuram,
Tiruparankundram, Anaimalai, Kundrakudi and Kalugumalai are the
best monuments of the Pandyas period. The Meenakshi temple in
Madurai and the Aranganathar temple in Srirangam are also the
wonderful monuments, which show the architectural and the sculptural
talent of the Pandyas.
Page 3


33
UNIT – II
The Pandyas are one among the great Moovendars of the T amil
country . The Pandyas who ruled T amil country during the sangam period,
are called sangam Pandyas. After defeating the kalabhras the Pandya
rulers ruled between 550 AD to 950 AD. They were called as first
Pandyas. After the fall of the great pallavas and the cholas once again
the Pandyas ruled the T amil country from 1190 AD to 1310 AD. They
were called as second Pandyas. Totally the Pandyas ruled the Tamil
country three times for about 460 years. Madurai was the capital of the
Pandyas. Fish was the royal emblem of the Pandyas.
Sources:  History of the second Pandya empire can be written with
the help of the relevant source materials. Plenty of sources are available
in this regard. Velvikkudi plates, Seevaramangalam plates.
Thalavaipuramplates and chinnamanur plates speak about the war
victories and administration of the Pandya rulers. Inscriptions, coins,
monuments and the writings of foreign travellers speak about the Pandya
rulers and their achievements.
34 35
Inscriptions: Inscriptions excavated from Chidambaram tell about the
personal courage of the Pandya kings in the battle fields and details
about the places captured by the Pandya rulers. Inscriptions of
Pudukottai throw much light on the judicial and revenue administration
of the second Pandyas. Pudukkottai inscriptions also tell about
Kulasekara Pandya’s policies towards land survey and taxation.
Thiruvandipuram inscriptions explain about the warfare of Maravarman
Sundara Pandya. Srirangam inscriptions tell about the victories of Pandya
kings. Thirunelveli inscriptions give the names and the titles of the Pandya
kings.
Inscriptions of the Cholas, Telugucholas, Kadavarayar,
Sambuvarayar and Kakathiyas speak about the glory of the Pandya
rule. More informations are given about Maravarman Sundara Pandya–
I, in the inscriptions of Gudimiyanmalai, Rangamali, Thenkasi and
Tiruvateeeswaram. Particularly Tirunelveli inscriptions speak about
Maravarman Kulasekaran-I’s victory over the cheras and cholas. They
also speak about the wealth that Maravarman had taken from cheras
and cholas and used for the construction of the prakara of Thirunelveli
temple. The informations of Maravarman can be obtained from the
inscriptions of Achirupakkam, Chidambaram, Tirukkovilur .
Numismatics:  The second Pandya Kings issued coins with names
and titles of the rulers. Coins bearing the name as ‘Sonadukondan’,
belong to the period of Maravarman Sundara Pandya-I. Sir Walter
Elliot writes about the Chola coins. Through these numismatic sources
we come to know about the economic condition of the Pandya period.
Few gold coins tell about the rulers of Pandya Kingdom. These coins
have a fish or a pair of fishes, the symbol of Pandya kingdom on one
side. Names of the Pandya kings are engraved on the other side of the
coins. Many coins bear the name Sundra Pandya. These coins talk
about the conquests and defeats of the Pandyas.
Monuments: The cave temples found in Tirumalaipuram,
Tiruparankundram, Anaimalai, Kundrakudi and Kalugumalai are the
best monuments of the Pandyas period. The Meenakshi temple in
Madurai and the Aranganathar temple in Srirangam are also the
wonderful monuments, which show the architectural and the sculptural
talent of the Pandyas.
34 35
Inscriptions: Inscriptions excavated from Chidambaram tell about the
personal courage of the Pandya kings in the battle fields and details
about the places captured by the Pandya rulers. Inscriptions of
Pudukottai throw much light on the judicial and revenue administration
of the second Pandyas. Pudukkottai inscriptions also tell about
Kulasekara Pandya’s policies towards land survey and taxation.
Thiruvandipuram inscriptions explain about the warfare of Maravarman
Sundara Pandya. Srirangam inscriptions tell about the victories of Pandya
kings. Thirunelveli inscriptions give the names and the titles of the Pandya
kings.
Inscriptions of the Cholas, Telugucholas, Kadavarayar,
Sambuvarayar and Kakathiyas speak about the glory of the Pandya
rule. More informations are given about Maravarman Sundara Pandya–
I, in the inscriptions of Gudimiyanmalai, Rangamali, Thenkasi and
Tiruvateeeswaram. Particularly Tirunelveli inscriptions speak about
Maravarman Kulasekaran-I’s victory over the cheras and cholas. They
also speak about the wealth that Maravarman had taken from cheras
and cholas and used for the construction of the prakara of Thirunelveli
temple. The informations of Maravarman can be obtained from the
inscriptions of Achirupakkam, Chidambaram, Tirukkovilur .
Numismatics:  The second Pandya Kings issued coins with names
and titles of the rulers. Coins bearing the name as ‘Sonadukondan’,
belong to the period of Maravarman Sundara Pandya-I. Sir Walter
Elliot writes about the Chola coins. Through these numismatic sources
we come to know about the economic condition of the Pandya period.
Few gold coins tell about the rulers of Pandya Kingdom. These coins
have a fish or a pair of fishes, the symbol of Pandya kingdom on one
side. Names of the Pandya kings are engraved on the other side of the
coins. Many coins bear the name Sundra Pandya. These coins talk
about the conquests and defeats of the Pandyas.
Monuments: The cave temples found in Tirumalaipuram,
Tiruparankundram, Anaimalai, Kundrakudi and Kalugumalai are the
best monuments of the Pandyas period. The Meenakshi temple in
Madurai and the Aranganathar temple in Srirangam are also the
wonderful monuments, which show the architectural and the sculptural
talent of the Pandyas.
Page 4


33
UNIT – II
The Pandyas are one among the great Moovendars of the T amil
country . The Pandyas who ruled T amil country during the sangam period,
are called sangam Pandyas. After defeating the kalabhras the Pandya
rulers ruled between 550 AD to 950 AD. They were called as first
Pandyas. After the fall of the great pallavas and the cholas once again
the Pandyas ruled the T amil country from 1190 AD to 1310 AD. They
were called as second Pandyas. Totally the Pandyas ruled the Tamil
country three times for about 460 years. Madurai was the capital of the
Pandyas. Fish was the royal emblem of the Pandyas.
Sources:  History of the second Pandya empire can be written with
the help of the relevant source materials. Plenty of sources are available
in this regard. Velvikkudi plates, Seevaramangalam plates.
Thalavaipuramplates and chinnamanur plates speak about the war
victories and administration of the Pandya rulers. Inscriptions, coins,
monuments and the writings of foreign travellers speak about the Pandya
rulers and their achievements.
34 35
Inscriptions: Inscriptions excavated from Chidambaram tell about the
personal courage of the Pandya kings in the battle fields and details
about the places captured by the Pandya rulers. Inscriptions of
Pudukottai throw much light on the judicial and revenue administration
of the second Pandyas. Pudukkottai inscriptions also tell about
Kulasekara Pandya’s policies towards land survey and taxation.
Thiruvandipuram inscriptions explain about the warfare of Maravarman
Sundara Pandya. Srirangam inscriptions tell about the victories of Pandya
kings. Thirunelveli inscriptions give the names and the titles of the Pandya
kings.
Inscriptions of the Cholas, Telugucholas, Kadavarayar,
Sambuvarayar and Kakathiyas speak about the glory of the Pandya
rule. More informations are given about Maravarman Sundara Pandya–
I, in the inscriptions of Gudimiyanmalai, Rangamali, Thenkasi and
Tiruvateeeswaram. Particularly Tirunelveli inscriptions speak about
Maravarman Kulasekaran-I’s victory over the cheras and cholas. They
also speak about the wealth that Maravarman had taken from cheras
and cholas and used for the construction of the prakara of Thirunelveli
temple. The informations of Maravarman can be obtained from the
inscriptions of Achirupakkam, Chidambaram, Tirukkovilur .
Numismatics:  The second Pandya Kings issued coins with names
and titles of the rulers. Coins bearing the name as ‘Sonadukondan’,
belong to the period of Maravarman Sundara Pandya-I. Sir Walter
Elliot writes about the Chola coins. Through these numismatic sources
we come to know about the economic condition of the Pandya period.
Few gold coins tell about the rulers of Pandya Kingdom. These coins
have a fish or a pair of fishes, the symbol of Pandya kingdom on one
side. Names of the Pandya kings are engraved on the other side of the
coins. Many coins bear the name Sundra Pandya. These coins talk
about the conquests and defeats of the Pandyas.
Monuments: The cave temples found in Tirumalaipuram,
Tiruparankundram, Anaimalai, Kundrakudi and Kalugumalai are the
best monuments of the Pandyas period. The Meenakshi temple in
Madurai and the Aranganathar temple in Srirangam are also the
wonderful monuments, which show the architectural and the sculptural
talent of the Pandyas.
34 35
Inscriptions: Inscriptions excavated from Chidambaram tell about the
personal courage of the Pandya kings in the battle fields and details
about the places captured by the Pandya rulers. Inscriptions of
Pudukottai throw much light on the judicial and revenue administration
of the second Pandyas. Pudukkottai inscriptions also tell about
Kulasekara Pandya’s policies towards land survey and taxation.
Thiruvandipuram inscriptions explain about the warfare of Maravarman
Sundara Pandya. Srirangam inscriptions tell about the victories of Pandya
kings. Thirunelveli inscriptions give the names and the titles of the Pandya
kings.
Inscriptions of the Cholas, Telugucholas, Kadavarayar,
Sambuvarayar and Kakathiyas speak about the glory of the Pandya
rule. More informations are given about Maravarman Sundara Pandya–
I, in the inscriptions of Gudimiyanmalai, Rangamali, Thenkasi and
Tiruvateeeswaram. Particularly Tirunelveli inscriptions speak about
Maravarman Kulasekaran-I’s victory over the cheras and cholas. They
also speak about the wealth that Maravarman had taken from cheras
and cholas and used for the construction of the prakara of Thirunelveli
temple. The informations of Maravarman can be obtained from the
inscriptions of Achirupakkam, Chidambaram, Tirukkovilur .
Numismatics:  The second Pandya Kings issued coins with names
and titles of the rulers. Coins bearing the name as ‘Sonadukondan’,
belong to the period of Maravarman Sundara Pandya-I. Sir Walter
Elliot writes about the Chola coins. Through these numismatic sources
we come to know about the economic condition of the Pandya period.
Few gold coins tell about the rulers of Pandya Kingdom. These coins
have a fish or a pair of fishes, the symbol of Pandya kingdom on one
side. Names of the Pandya kings are engraved on the other side of the
coins. Many coins bear the name Sundra Pandya. These coins talk
about the conquests and defeats of the Pandyas.
Monuments: The cave temples found in Tirumalaipuram,
Tiruparankundram, Anaimalai, Kundrakudi and Kalugumalai are the
best monuments of the Pandyas period. The Meenakshi temple in
Madurai and the Aranganathar temple in Srirangam are also the
wonderful monuments, which show the architectural and the sculptural
talent of the Pandyas.
36 37
Foreign Sources:  Foreign writers like W assaf and  Morcopolo write
interesting information about the rule of Pandya kings. The political and
economic conditions of Pandyas are described by these writers.
The Cholas lost their power after the death of Kulothunga-III.
The Pandyas assumed a great strength from the middle of the 12
th
century. The Pandyas expanded in north upto Nellore and Cuddapha
districts. Kulothunga-III made Vikraman as the ruler to the Pandya
kingdom. Vikraman was succeeded by Jatarvarman Kulasekara-I.
In History one century means a period of hundred years.
Jatavarman Kulasekara-I :- 1190 AD to 1210 AD: He was son
of Vikraman. His Meikeerthi is a very good source. He fought and
compromised with the Chola king Kulothunga-III. His reign may be
regarded as an important land mark in the history of the second Pandyas.
He ruled  Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Thirunelveli and Kanyakumari
areas. He created the Rajagambira Chaturvedi mangalam, consisting
of 1030 Brahmadeyas. So he was known as “Rajagambeera”. He
appointed Maravarman SundaraPandya as his crown prince.
Maravarman SundaraPandya - I :-1216 AD to 1231 AD:  He was
the brother of Jadavarman kulasekara. He had titles like Kaliyugarama,
AdisayaPandyadeva. The King SundaraPandya was an ambitious
competant, and capable ruler. He fought wars against the cholas and
the Kongu kings. Maravarman sundaraPandya captured some portions
of Trichy and modern Pudukottai districts. A good part of the Vishnu
temple at Tiruttangal was built. After him Jadavarman Kulasekara– II
ruled for sometime.
Lands donated to Brahmin scholars were called
Brahmadeyas
Maravarman Sundara Pandya - II :-  1238 AD to 1253 AD: He
made many grants to temples. He defeated the chola king
Rajendra-III.
Jatavarman Sundara Pandya - I :- 1251AD to 1268AD:  He
succeeded Maravarman Sundara Pandya – II. He had title as Tribhuvana
Chakravarthy for conquering Elam, Kongu and the chola kingdom.
During his time the Pandya kingdom became the Pandya empire. The
cholas completely disappeared from the Tamil scene. The hoysalas
retreated to the Mysore highlands. Ceylon was conquered. The
Kongudesam became a province of the Pandya kingdom. The chera
ruler was defeated. Due to these victories Jatavarman Sundara Pandya-
I was known as “Emmandalamum Kondarulliya pandiya”.
Religious Endowments: Jatavarman Sundara Pandya-I provided the
roof of Nataraja Shrine in Chidambaram with gold tiles. He built a hall
and the west tower of Chidambaram temple. He rendered the same
golden service to the Ranganatha swami shrine in Srirangam. So he
was titled as “Ponveintha Perumal”. He also endowed liberally to some
Jain pallis. He patronised Saivism, V aishnavism and Hinduism. He
coronated his son Maravarman Kulasekaran-I as the crown prince.
Maravarman Kulasekaran–I:   1268AD–1308 AD:  During his
reign foreign writer Morcopolo visited T amil country and wrote about
it.  The social condition of the T amil country was known from the writings
of Muslim historian W assaf. Maravarman captured kollam from Chera
nadu. Due to this he was called as “Kollamkonda Pandya”. He invaded
Page 5


33
UNIT – II
The Pandyas are one among the great Moovendars of the T amil
country . The Pandyas who ruled T amil country during the sangam period,
are called sangam Pandyas. After defeating the kalabhras the Pandya
rulers ruled between 550 AD to 950 AD. They were called as first
Pandyas. After the fall of the great pallavas and the cholas once again
the Pandyas ruled the T amil country from 1190 AD to 1310 AD. They
were called as second Pandyas. Totally the Pandyas ruled the Tamil
country three times for about 460 years. Madurai was the capital of the
Pandyas. Fish was the royal emblem of the Pandyas.
Sources:  History of the second Pandya empire can be written with
the help of the relevant source materials. Plenty of sources are available
in this regard. Velvikkudi plates, Seevaramangalam plates.
Thalavaipuramplates and chinnamanur plates speak about the war
victories and administration of the Pandya rulers. Inscriptions, coins,
monuments and the writings of foreign travellers speak about the Pandya
rulers and their achievements.
34 35
Inscriptions: Inscriptions excavated from Chidambaram tell about the
personal courage of the Pandya kings in the battle fields and details
about the places captured by the Pandya rulers. Inscriptions of
Pudukottai throw much light on the judicial and revenue administration
of the second Pandyas. Pudukkottai inscriptions also tell about
Kulasekara Pandya’s policies towards land survey and taxation.
Thiruvandipuram inscriptions explain about the warfare of Maravarman
Sundara Pandya. Srirangam inscriptions tell about the victories of Pandya
kings. Thirunelveli inscriptions give the names and the titles of the Pandya
kings.
Inscriptions of the Cholas, Telugucholas, Kadavarayar,
Sambuvarayar and Kakathiyas speak about the glory of the Pandya
rule. More informations are given about Maravarman Sundara Pandya–
I, in the inscriptions of Gudimiyanmalai, Rangamali, Thenkasi and
Tiruvateeeswaram. Particularly Tirunelveli inscriptions speak about
Maravarman Kulasekaran-I’s victory over the cheras and cholas. They
also speak about the wealth that Maravarman had taken from cheras
and cholas and used for the construction of the prakara of Thirunelveli
temple. The informations of Maravarman can be obtained from the
inscriptions of Achirupakkam, Chidambaram, Tirukkovilur .
Numismatics:  The second Pandya Kings issued coins with names
and titles of the rulers. Coins bearing the name as ‘Sonadukondan’,
belong to the period of Maravarman Sundara Pandya-I. Sir Walter
Elliot writes about the Chola coins. Through these numismatic sources
we come to know about the economic condition of the Pandya period.
Few gold coins tell about the rulers of Pandya Kingdom. These coins
have a fish or a pair of fishes, the symbol of Pandya kingdom on one
side. Names of the Pandya kings are engraved on the other side of the
coins. Many coins bear the name Sundra Pandya. These coins talk
about the conquests and defeats of the Pandyas.
Monuments: The cave temples found in Tirumalaipuram,
Tiruparankundram, Anaimalai, Kundrakudi and Kalugumalai are the
best monuments of the Pandyas period. The Meenakshi temple in
Madurai and the Aranganathar temple in Srirangam are also the
wonderful monuments, which show the architectural and the sculptural
talent of the Pandyas.
34 35
Inscriptions: Inscriptions excavated from Chidambaram tell about the
personal courage of the Pandya kings in the battle fields and details
about the places captured by the Pandya rulers. Inscriptions of
Pudukottai throw much light on the judicial and revenue administration
of the second Pandyas. Pudukkottai inscriptions also tell about
Kulasekara Pandya’s policies towards land survey and taxation.
Thiruvandipuram inscriptions explain about the warfare of Maravarman
Sundara Pandya. Srirangam inscriptions tell about the victories of Pandya
kings. Thirunelveli inscriptions give the names and the titles of the Pandya
kings.
Inscriptions of the Cholas, Telugucholas, Kadavarayar,
Sambuvarayar and Kakathiyas speak about the glory of the Pandya
rule. More informations are given about Maravarman Sundara Pandya–
I, in the inscriptions of Gudimiyanmalai, Rangamali, Thenkasi and
Tiruvateeeswaram. Particularly Tirunelveli inscriptions speak about
Maravarman Kulasekaran-I’s victory over the cheras and cholas. They
also speak about the wealth that Maravarman had taken from cheras
and cholas and used for the construction of the prakara of Thirunelveli
temple. The informations of Maravarman can be obtained from the
inscriptions of Achirupakkam, Chidambaram, Tirukkovilur .
Numismatics:  The second Pandya Kings issued coins with names
and titles of the rulers. Coins bearing the name as ‘Sonadukondan’,
belong to the period of Maravarman Sundara Pandya-I. Sir Walter
Elliot writes about the Chola coins. Through these numismatic sources
we come to know about the economic condition of the Pandya period.
Few gold coins tell about the rulers of Pandya Kingdom. These coins
have a fish or a pair of fishes, the symbol of Pandya kingdom on one
side. Names of the Pandya kings are engraved on the other side of the
coins. Many coins bear the name Sundra Pandya. These coins talk
about the conquests and defeats of the Pandyas.
Monuments: The cave temples found in Tirumalaipuram,
Tiruparankundram, Anaimalai, Kundrakudi and Kalugumalai are the
best monuments of the Pandyas period. The Meenakshi temple in
Madurai and the Aranganathar temple in Srirangam are also the
wonderful monuments, which show the architectural and the sculptural
talent of the Pandyas.
36 37
Foreign Sources:  Foreign writers like W assaf and  Morcopolo write
interesting information about the rule of Pandya kings. The political and
economic conditions of Pandyas are described by these writers.
The Cholas lost their power after the death of Kulothunga-III.
The Pandyas assumed a great strength from the middle of the 12
th
century. The Pandyas expanded in north upto Nellore and Cuddapha
districts. Kulothunga-III made Vikraman as the ruler to the Pandya
kingdom. Vikraman was succeeded by Jatarvarman Kulasekara-I.
In History one century means a period of hundred years.
Jatavarman Kulasekara-I :- 1190 AD to 1210 AD: He was son
of Vikraman. His Meikeerthi is a very good source. He fought and
compromised with the Chola king Kulothunga-III. His reign may be
regarded as an important land mark in the history of the second Pandyas.
He ruled  Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Thirunelveli and Kanyakumari
areas. He created the Rajagambira Chaturvedi mangalam, consisting
of 1030 Brahmadeyas. So he was known as “Rajagambeera”. He
appointed Maravarman SundaraPandya as his crown prince.
Maravarman SundaraPandya - I :-1216 AD to 1231 AD:  He was
the brother of Jadavarman kulasekara. He had titles like Kaliyugarama,
AdisayaPandyadeva. The King SundaraPandya was an ambitious
competant, and capable ruler. He fought wars against the cholas and
the Kongu kings. Maravarman sundaraPandya captured some portions
of Trichy and modern Pudukottai districts. A good part of the Vishnu
temple at Tiruttangal was built. After him Jadavarman Kulasekara– II
ruled for sometime.
Lands donated to Brahmin scholars were called
Brahmadeyas
Maravarman Sundara Pandya - II :-  1238 AD to 1253 AD: He
made many grants to temples. He defeated the chola king
Rajendra-III.
Jatavarman Sundara Pandya - I :- 1251AD to 1268AD:  He
succeeded Maravarman Sundara Pandya – II. He had title as Tribhuvana
Chakravarthy for conquering Elam, Kongu and the chola kingdom.
During his time the Pandya kingdom became the Pandya empire. The
cholas completely disappeared from the Tamil scene. The hoysalas
retreated to the Mysore highlands. Ceylon was conquered. The
Kongudesam became a province of the Pandya kingdom. The chera
ruler was defeated. Due to these victories Jatavarman Sundara Pandya-
I was known as “Emmandalamum Kondarulliya pandiya”.
Religious Endowments: Jatavarman Sundara Pandya-I provided the
roof of Nataraja Shrine in Chidambaram with gold tiles. He built a hall
and the west tower of Chidambaram temple. He rendered the same
golden service to the Ranganatha swami shrine in Srirangam. So he
was titled as “Ponveintha Perumal”. He also endowed liberally to some
Jain pallis. He patronised Saivism, V aishnavism and Hinduism. He
coronated his son Maravarman Kulasekaran-I as the crown prince.
Maravarman Kulasekaran–I:   1268AD–1308 AD:  During his
reign foreign writer Morcopolo visited T amil country and wrote about
it.  The social condition of the T amil country was known from the writings
of Muslim historian W assaf. Maravarman captured kollam from Chera
nadu. Due to this he was called as “Kollamkonda Pandya”. He invaded
36 37
Foreign Sources:  Foreign writers like W assaf and  Morcopolo write
interesting information about the rule of Pandya kings. The political and
economic conditions of Pandyas are described by these writers.
The Cholas lost their power after the death of Kulothunga-III.
The Pandyas assumed a great strength from the middle of the 12
th
century. The Pandyas expanded in north upto Nellore and Cuddapha
districts. Kulothunga-III made Vikraman as the ruler to the Pandya
kingdom. Vikraman was succeeded by Jatarvarman Kulasekara-I.
In History one century means a period of hundred years.
Jatavarman Kulasekara-I :- 1190 AD to 1210 AD: He was son
of Vikraman. His Meikeerthi is a very good source. He fought and
compromised with the Chola king Kulothunga-III. His reign may be
regarded as an important land mark in the history of the second Pandyas.
He ruled  Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Thirunelveli and Kanyakumari
areas. He created the Rajagambira Chaturvedi mangalam, consisting
of 1030 Brahmadeyas. So he was known as “Rajagambeera”. He
appointed Maravarman SundaraPandya as his crown prince.
Maravarman SundaraPandya - I :-1216 AD to 1231 AD:  He was
the brother of Jadavarman kulasekara. He had titles like Kaliyugarama,
AdisayaPandyadeva. The King SundaraPandya was an ambitious
competant, and capable ruler. He fought wars against the cholas and
the Kongu kings. Maravarman sundaraPandya captured some portions
of Trichy and modern Pudukottai districts. A good part of the Vishnu
temple at Tiruttangal was built. After him Jadavarman Kulasekara– II
ruled for sometime.
Lands donated to Brahmin scholars were called
Brahmadeyas
Maravarman Sundara Pandya - II :-  1238 AD to 1253 AD: He
made many grants to temples. He defeated the chola king
Rajendra-III.
Jatavarman Sundara Pandya - I :- 1251AD to 1268AD:  He
succeeded Maravarman Sundara Pandya – II. He had title as Tribhuvana
Chakravarthy for conquering Elam, Kongu and the chola kingdom.
During his time the Pandya kingdom became the Pandya empire. The
cholas completely disappeared from the Tamil scene. The hoysalas
retreated to the Mysore highlands. Ceylon was conquered. The
Kongudesam became a province of the Pandya kingdom. The chera
ruler was defeated. Due to these victories Jatavarman Sundara Pandya-
I was known as “Emmandalamum Kondarulliya pandiya”.
Religious Endowments: Jatavarman Sundara Pandya-I provided the
roof of Nataraja Shrine in Chidambaram with gold tiles. He built a hall
and the west tower of Chidambaram temple. He rendered the same
golden service to the Ranganatha swami shrine in Srirangam. So he
was titled as “Ponveintha Perumal”. He also endowed liberally to some
Jain pallis. He patronised Saivism, V aishnavism and Hinduism. He
coronated his son Maravarman Kulasekaran-I as the crown prince.
Maravarman Kulasekaran–I:   1268AD–1308 AD:  During his
reign foreign writer Morcopolo visited T amil country and wrote about
it.  The social condition of the T amil country was known from the writings
of Muslim historian W assaf. Maravarman captured kollam from Chera
nadu. Due to this he was called as “Kollamkonda Pandya”. He invaded