Pandya

Pandya is a Hindu state led by a clan of the same name, which for centuries has ruled the southern regions of India from the vicinity of the holy city of Madurai on the territory of South Tamil Nadu . Its existence was known to the ancient Greek traveler Megasphene , who attributed the foundation of the family of the daughter of Hercules .

The state of Pandyev throughout its nearly 2-thousand-year history conducted extensive trade with the ports of the Indian Ocean and held subordinate many principalities of South Kerala . Pandyas were in hostile relations with the rulers of Ceylon and were forced to constantly repel the attacks of the northern powers ( Pallavas , Chalukya , Rastrakuti ).

At the end of the X-beginning of the XI centuries. Pandya was forced to recognize the supremacy of the Chol empire , but under Jatavarman Sundar Pandye (reigned 1251–68) they were able to restore their former influence and even extend it to Ceylon.

The "Golden Age" of the rulers of Madurai ended at the beginning of the XIV century in connection with the invasion of the Muslim army from the Delhi Sultanate under the command of the Persian Malik Kafur , who in 1311 captured and destroyed Madurai . The conquering Muslim campaigns that followed led to the fall of the Pandeev state and the founding of the Madurai Sultanate on its ruins. Until the beginning of the XVII century, individual representatives of the Pandya clan are mentioned by the sources as small Rajas .