2016/01/09 by Nigel R. Dalziel · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Global Maritime and Colonial Histories #Asian Studies and History #Tamil #Ancient history #Empire #Rivalry #Dominance (genetics) #CONQUEST #History #Hinduism #Kingdom #Geography #Economic history #Art #Religious studies
paper · doi:10.1002/9781118455074.wbeoe416
openalex publication_date 2016/01/09 · openalex created_date 2022/05/12 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/14
Abstract The early Pandyan kingdom of south India emerged from around 600 bce to become one of the major Tamil kingdoms, alongside the Cheras and Cholas. Their rivalry was a spur to the Pandyan Empire, with its capital at Madurai, over a long duration. It passed through two periods of imperial dominance, between the 6th and 10th centuries ce , and under the later Pandyas, beginning with Sundara Pandya I (r.1216–1238), when they controlled much of south India before succumbing to the onslaught of the Delhi Sultanate from 1311. Its weakness was partly brought about by a civil war over the succession between the sons of Kulesakaran and partly by inadequate military technology. It was an important center of Tamil culture and (especially Hindu temple) architecture, which developed greatly during the periods of imperial dominance, assisted by the wealth that came with conquest as well as the long‐established maritime trade and the exploitation of the coastal pearl banks. Religion and state involvement in it were an important buttress to the Pandyan dynasty.