Author - Virarajendra
Under Construction
The Fall of the Post-Medieval Paandiyan Empire of South India
(1) Kulasekara Paandiyan's two sons dispute over succession on Paandiyan throne
The last of the great Tamil Empires of South India was that of the Paandiyan Emperor Maravarman Kulasekaran extending from Kanyakumari to Nellore region. He had two sons by the name Sundera Paandiyan by his legitimate Queen and Vira Paandiyan by his Concubine. As Vira Paandiyan was more talented and very intelligent than the Sundera Paandiyan the father Emperor Kulasekara Paandiyan considering the future and stability of the the Paandiyan empire appointed Vira Pandiyan as the heir apparent to his empire.
Sundera Paandiyan furious over this appointment killed his father and captured the kingdom for himself. Vira Paandiyan who escaped death returned back with his forces defeated his brother Sundera Paandiyan and started his rule of the empire.
Towards this time in the year A.D.1310 the Malik Kafur the gerneral of the Muslim Emperor Alauddin Kilji ruling from Delhi who have conquered many kingdoms down south on behalf of the emperor has stationed himself in mid Karnataka having control over the newly won territories.
Sundera Paandiyan took this opportunity to seek the assistance of Malik Kafur to regain his kingdom from Vira Paandiyan. The latter took this great opportunity to invade Tamil Nadu (which was not intended earlier) with his Muslim forces lead by Sundera Paandiyan. Vira Paandiyan fearing the forces of Malik Kafur lead by his brother deserted the capital city Madurai of his Paandiyan kingdom and went to safer regions. This made the the Muslim forces to easily capture the Paandiyan kingdom.
The above are confirmed by the following References:
The Conquest of Dúr Samundar
".....The royal army marched from this place towards the country of Dúr Samun. Ráí Pandyá offered opposition, and begged the assistance of an army from Ma'bar. At that time enmity prevailed between the two brothers, Sundar Pandí and Tíra Pandí, after the murder of their father. The latter sent to his assistance an army of horse and foot. Subsequently, the Ráí, turning to the right rank, declined a contest, and, having proffered his sub*mission, he was left in possession of his country without the necessity of fighting. He delivered up to Malik Kafúr the country of 'Aríkanna, as a proof of his allegiance, and treasure beyond what imagination can conceive, together with 55 large elephants, which were worthy of carrying the great and fortunate heroes of the time, so that the country was restored to him, and, instead of shell-blowing, pyrolatry, and idol-worship, the true faith and the five daily prayers were established. On account of these transactions the fame of the first holy wars which opened Hind under Mahmúd Subuktigín was erased from the page of history.
Invasion of Ma'bar
In the month of Rajab of the year 710 H. (1310 A.D.) the appointed leaders, accompanied by a select army, were dispatched to conquer Ma'bar, and some of the towns were obtained through the animosity which has lately arisen between the two brothers; when at last a large army, attended by numerous elephants of war, was sent out to oppose the Muhammadans. Malik Nabú, who thought himself a very Saturn, was obliged to retreat, and bring back his army.
Continuation of the history of the Kings of Ma'bar
Kales Dewar, the ruler of Ma'bar, enjoyed a highly prosperous life, extending to forty and odd years, during which time neither any foreign enemy entered his country, nor any severe malady confined him to bed. His coffers were replete with wealth, inasmuch that in the treasury of the city of Mardí there were 1,200 crores of gold deposited, every crore being equal to a thousand laks, and every lak to one hundred thousand dínárs. Besides this there was an accumulation of precious stones, such as pearls, rubies, turquoises, and emeralds,*more than is in the power of language to express. (Here follows a long string of reflections upon the instability of worldly wealth and grandeur.)
This fortunate and happy sovereign had two sons, the elder named Sundar Pandí, who was legitimate, his mother being joined to the Dewar by lawful marriage, and the younger named Tíra Pandí, was illegitimate, his mother being one of the mis*tresses who continually attended the king in his banquet of pleasure; for it was customary with the rulers of that country that, when the daily affairs of the administration were over, and the crowds that attended the court had gone to their respective homes, a thousand beautiful courtezans used to attend the king in his pleasure. They used to perform the several duties prescribed to each of them; some were appointed as chamberlains, some as interpreters, some as cup-bearers......"
As Tíra Pandí was remarkable for his shrewdness and intrepidity, the ruler nominated him as his successor. His brother Sundar Pandí, being enraged at this supercession, killed his father, in a moment of rashness and undutifulness, towards the close of the year 709 H. (1310 A.D.), and placed the crown on his head in the city of Márdí. He induced the troops who were there to support his interests, and conveyed some of the roval treasures which were deposited there to the city of Mankúl, and he himself accompanied, marching on, attended in royal pomp, with the elephants, horses, and treasures. Upon this his brother Tíra Pandí, being resolved on avenging his father's blood, followed to give him battle, and on the margin of a lake which, in their language, they call Taláchí, the opponents came to action. Both the brothers, each ignorant of the fate of the other, fled away; but Tíra Pandí being unfortunate (tíra bakht), and having been wounded, fell into the hands of the enemy, and seven elephant-loads of gold also fell to the lot of the army of Sundar Pandí.
It is a saying of philosophers, that ingratitude will, sooner or later, meet its punishment, and this was proved in the sequel, for Manár Barmúl, the son of the daughter of Kales Dewar, who espoused the cause of Tíra Pandí, being at that time at Karám-hattí, near Kálúl,* sent him assistance, both in men and money, which was attended with a most fortunate result. Sundar Pandí had taken possession of the kingdom, and the army and the treasure were his own; but, as in every religion and faith, evil deeds produce a life of insecurity, a matter which it is unneces*sary to expatiate upon, he, notwithstanding all his treasures and the goodwill of the army, was far from being happy and prosperous, entertaining crude notions, and never awaking from his dream of pride, and at last he met with the chastisement due to his ingratitude, for in the middle of the year 710 (1310 A.D.) Tíra Pandí, having collected an army, advanced to oppose him, and Sundar Pandí, trembling and alarmed, fled from his native country, and took refuge under the protection of 'Aláu-d dín, of Dehli, and Tíra Pandí became firmly established in his hereditary kingdom.
While I was engaged in writing this passage, one of my friends said to me: “The kings of Hind are celebrated for their penetration and wisdom; why then did Kales Dewar, during his lifetime, nominate his younger and illegitimate son as his successor; to the rejection of the elder, who was of pure blood, by which he introduced distraction into a kingdom which had been adorned like a bride.”
TAZJIYATU-L AMSÁR WA TAJRIYATU-L ÁSÁR OF 'ABDU-LLAH, WASSÁF
“......But the country of Ma'bar, which is so distant from the city of Dehli that a man travelling with all expedition could only reach it after a journey of twelve months, there the arrow of any holy warrior had not yet reached; but this world-conquering king determined to carry his army to that distant country, and spread the light of the Muhammadan religion there. Malik Náib Bárbak was appointed to command the army for this expedition, and a royal canopy was sent with him. The Malik represented that on the coast of Ma'bar were five hundred elephants, larger than those which had been presented to the Sultán from Arangal, and that when he was engaged in the conquest of that place he had thought of possessing himself of them, and that now.......
The army left Dehli on the 24th of Jumáda-l ákhir, A.H. 710 (Nov. 1310 A.D.) and after marching by the bank of the Jún (Jumna) halted at Tankal for fourteen days. While on the bank of the river at that place, the Díwán of the 'A'riz-i Mamálik took a muster of the army. “Twenty and one days the royal soldiers, like swift grey-hounds, made lengthened marches, while they were making the road short, until they arrived at Kanhún; from that, in seventeen more days, they arrived at Gur-gánw. During these seventeen days the Gháts were passed, and great heights and depths were seen amongst the hills, where even the elephants became nearly invisible.” “And three large rivers had to be crossed, which occasioned the greatest fears in their passage. Two of them were equal to one another, but neither of them equalled the Nerbadda.”
“After crossing those rivers, hills, and many depths, the Ráí of Tilang sent twenty-three powerful elephants for the royal service. For the space of twenty days the victorious army remained at that place, for the purpose of sending on the elephants, and they took a muster of the men present and absent, until the whole number was counted. And, according to the command of the king, they suspended swords from the standard poles, in order that the inhabitants of Ma'bar might be aware that the day of resurrection had arrived amongst them......
......When they reached the Táwí (Táptí), they saw a river like the sea. The army crossed it by a ford quicker than the hurricane they resembled, and afterwards employed itself in cutting down jungles and destroying gardens......
On Thursday, the 13th of Ramazán, the royal canopy cast its shadow on Deogír, which under the aid of heaven had been protected by the angels, and there the army determined to make all preparations for extirpating Billál Deo and other Deos (demons). The Ráí Ráyán, Rám Deo, who had heard safety to Satan proclaimed by the dreadful Muhammadan tymbals, considered himself safe under the protection secured to him; and, true to his allegiance, forwarded with all his heart the preparations necessary for the equipment of the army sent by the Court, so as to render it available for the extermination of rebels and the destruction of the Bír and Dhúr Samundar. The city was adorned in honour of the occasion, and food and clothes plentifully supplied to the Musulmáns......"
TÁRÍKH-I 'ALÁÍ OR KHAZÁÍNU-L FUTÚH, OF AMÍR KHUSRÚ Chapter on The Conquest of Ma'bar
(2) Malik Kafur's war expedition to south Tamil Nadu and capture of Paandiya Nadu
"....Towards the end of the year 710 H. (1310 A.D.) the Sultán sent an army under Malik Náíb Káfúr against Dhúr-samundar and Ma'bar. The Malik, with Khwája Hájí, Náíb-i 'áriz, took leave of the Sultán and proceeded to Rábarí, where the army collected. They then proceeded to Deogír, where they found that Rámdeo was dead, and from Deogír to the confines of Dhúr-samundar. At the first onslaught Billál Ráí fell into the hands of the Muhammadans, and Dhúr-samundar was captured. Thirty-six elephants, and all the treasures of the place, fell into the hands of the victors. A despatch of victory was then sent to Dehlí, and Malik Náíb Káfúr marched on to Ma'bar, which he also took. He destroyed the golden idol temple (but-khánah-i zarín) of Ma'bar, and the golden idols which for ages (karnhá) had been worshipped by the Hindus of that country. The fragments of the golden temple, and of the broken idols of gold and gilt, became the rich spoil of the army. In Ma'bar there were two Ráís, but all the elephants and treasure were taken from both, and the army turned home*wards flushed with victory. A despatch of victory was sent to the Sultán, and in the early part of 711 H. (1311 A.D.) the army reached Dehlí, bringing with it six hundred and twelve elephants, ninety-six thousand mans of gold, several boxes of jewels and pearls, and twenty thousand horses. Malik Náíb Káfúr pre*sented the spoil to the Sultán in the palace at Sírí on different occasions, and the Sultán made presents of four mans, or two mans, or one man, or half a man of gold to the maliks and amírs. The old inhabitants of Dehlí remarked that so many elephants and so much gold had never before been brought into Dehlí. No one could remember anything like it, nor was there anything like it recorded in history.
At the end of this same year twenty elephants arrived in Dehlí from Laddar Deo Ráí of Tilang, with a letter stating that he was ready to pay at Deogír, to any one whom the Sultán would commission to receive it, the treasure which he had en*gaged to pay, thus fulfilling the terms of the treaty made with Malik Káfúr
"......munnaal Rasarasan Suntharapaandiya Thever Thulukkarudan vantha naalile Oakkoorudaiyaarum ivar thambimaarum anaivarum adiyaarum.......seththug kettum poai alainthu uurum velaththaalum kalahaththaalum
paalaayirukkira alavile......"
South Indian Inscriptions Vol VIII, No 247
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The conquest of Telingána, Ma'bar, Fatan
The conquest of Tilangí, where the ráí is made to send “a golden idol and an hundred elephants, and treasure beyond all calculation.”
The army proceeded to Ma'bar, that it might “take the shores of the sea as far as Lanká, and spread the odour of the amber-scented faith,” and thence returned to Deogír, from which place the ráí fled at their approach, and, after plundering the country, they proceeded towards the sea-coast.
“There was another ráí in those parts, whose rule extended over sea and land, a Brahmin, named Pandyá Gurú. He had many cities in his possession, and his capital was Fatan,* where there was a temple with an idol in it laden with jewels. He had many troops and ships; and Musulmáns, as well as Hindus, were in his service. He had a thousand elephants of Ma'bar and innumerable horses. The ráí, when the army of the Sultán arrived at Fatan, fled away, and what can an army do without its leader? The Musulmáns in his service sought protection from the king's army, and they were made happy with the kind reception they met with. 500 elephants also were taken. They then struck the idol with an iron hatchet, and opened its head. Although it was the very Kibla of the accursed gabrs, it kissed the earth and filled the holy treasury. Wealth and jewels were taken from it in such quantities that they would have outweighed a mountain. After the business of the ráí of Ma'bar was completed, the army returned victorious, and received due rewards from the fortunate king. May God grant him success, that he may take a whole world without moving from his throne! May he, sitting at Dehli, be able to plunder the country of Ma'bar and the seas, with a mere movement of his eyebrow!”
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".....On leaving the island of Seilan (present Sri Lanka), one sails some sixty miles to the west reaching the great province the of Mabaar (present Tamil Nadu) known as greater India. Indeed it the best of the Indies. it is on the mainland. You must know that in this province there are five kings who are own brothers, we will tell you of them one by one. know too that it is truly the noblest and richest province in the whole world. I will show you why. know that at this end of the province reigns one of these brothers Sender Bandi Dever (Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan - 1 [A.D.1251-1271]) by name who is the most important and the greatest......."
"......their king.....covers his middle with a fine cloth and wears round his neck a necklace studded with precious stones rubies, sapphiries, emeralds and so forth - so that it is of immense value. He also wears round his neck a fine silk thread which hangs down in front of him to the length of a pace, on this tread are strung most beautiful large pearls and most precious rubies.....I will further add that the king also wears round his arms in three different places certain gold bracelets all studded with most precious stones and very large and valuable pearls. Moreover he wears too similer bracelets studded with precious stones and pearls in three different places round his legs. Furthermore he wears splendid pearls and other gems on his toes. It is truely a wonder to see......"
".......Cail (Kayal = Kaayalpattinam) is a noble and great city. it belongs to Ashar the eldest of the five brothers who are kings. And you must know that at this city touch all the ships that come from the west from Cormos, Kisi, Aden, and all Arabia laden with horses and othere wares. Traders touch at this port because it is excellently situated and good market for trading. For from many different lands there came numerous merchants to buy horses and other things. The (Paandiyan) king is very wealthy in treasure he wears many beautiful gems on his person. he is splendidly adorned. He governs his kingdom most justly, especially as regards foreign merchants namely those that come from other lands. He protects and governs them with great equity. I will add that if Merchants go thither so willingly it is because of this good King who protects them so well. True it is that they also obtain great gain and profit there......"
".......The Christians who look after the church (St Thomas's church at Mylapore) have many of the trees that produce wine, and of those that ber Pharaoh's nuts (coconuts)......For each of these trees the Christians used to pay one of the four brothers of king Sender Bandi Dever a tribute of one grosso a month......."
The Travels of Marco Polo - translated into English from the text of L.F.Benedetto, Pages 292,294,295,323, 309/10
"......A few years since the Dewar was Sundar Pandí,* who had three brothers, each of whom established himself in independence in some different country. The eminent prince, the margrave (marzbán) of Hind, Takíu-d dín 'Abdu-r Rahmán, son of Mu-hammadu-t Tíbí, whose virtues and accomplishments have for a long time been the theme of praise and admiration among the chief inhabitants of that beautiful country, was the Dewar's deputy, minister, and adviser, and was a man of sound judgment. Fitan, Malí Fitan and Kábil* were made over to his possession, for he is still worthy (kábil) of having the Khutba read in his name, and, notwithstanding these high dignities, is not worthy of seditions (fitna).
"......It was a matter of agreement that Maliku-l Islám Jamálu-d dín and the merchants should embark every year from the island of Kais and land at Ma'bar 1,400 horses of his own breed......It was also agreed that he should embark as many as he could procure from all the isles of Persia, such as Katíf, Lahsá, Bahrein, Hurmúz and Kulhátú. The price of each horse was fixed from of old at 220 dínárs of red gold, on this condition, that if any horses should sustain any injury during the voyage, or should happen to die, the value of them should be paid from the royal treasury. It is related by authentic writers, that in the reign of Atábak Abú Bakr, 10,000 horses were annually ex*ported from these places to Ma'bar, Kambáyat, and other ports in their neighbourhood, and the sum total of their value amounted to 2,200,000 dínárs, which was paid out of the overflowing revenues of the estates and endowments belonging to the Hindú temples, and from the tax upon courtezans attached to them, and no charge was incurred by the public treasury........"
"......In this climate these powerful horses which fly swiftly without a whip (for whips are required for horses, especially if they are to go any distance), should they happen to cover, become exceedingly weak and altogether worn out and unfit for riding. There is, therefore, a constant necessity of getting new horses annually, and, consequently, the merchants of Muhammadan countries bring them to Ma'bar......"
".....In the months of the year 692 H. the above-mentioned Dewar (Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan - 1), the ruler of Ma'bar, died, and left behind him much wealth and treasure. It is related by Maliku-l Islám Jamálu-d dín, that out of that treasure 7,000 oxen, laden with precious stones, and pure gold and silver, fell to the share of the brother who succeeded him.......Malik-i a'zam Takíu-d dín continued prime minister as before, and in fact ruler of that kingdom and his glory and magnificence were raised a thousand times higher......"
".......Notwithstanding the immense wealth acquired by trade, he gave orders that whatever commodities and goods were imported from the remotest parts of China and Hind into Ma'bar, his agents and factors should be allowed the first selection, until which no one else was allowed to purchase......"
Tazjiyatu-L Amsar Wa Tajriyatu-L Asar - by Abdu-llah, Wassaf
Discussion
The above reference in the Travels of Marco Polo clearly states:
"......the great province the of Maabaar (present Tamil Nadu) of greater India.....there are five kings who are own brothers.....Know that at this end of the province reigns one of these brothers (????), Sender Bandi Devar by name, who is the most important and the greatest...."
(Note: From the writings of Marco Polo we note Malabaar was Kerala region and Maabaar was Tamil Nadu region)"
(b) "......Christians used to pay one of the four brothers of king Sender Bandi Dever a tribute of one grosso a month....."
(c) "......Cail (Kayal = Kaayalpattinam) is a noble and great city. it belongs to Ashar the eldest of the five brothers who are kings......"
From the above three references it is clear Sunder Bandi Dever who "is the most important and the greatest" hence he has to be the Paandya king who ruled from the principal city of the Paandiyan kingdom the Mathurai, and hence has to be the king Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan - 1 (A.D.1251-1292) of this period. His period of rule should have been as much as around 42 years. He had three brothers ruling three regions of the Paandian empire of this period.
In describing Maaravarman Kulasekara Paandiyan he simply says he was king Kulasekaran (Ashar) the eldest among the five brothers ruling from (Cail) Kaayalpattinam. Since Maaravarman Kulasekaran ruled from Kaayalpattinam the second important (seaport) city during the same period Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan - 1 ruled from Mathurai the capital city of Paandiyar, it is very clear that Kulasekaran was the heir-apparent of Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan - 1 and hence the son of the latter.
But from Abdul Waasaf's writings the Sunthara Paandiyan died in the year 692 Hijra (A.D.1292). But we also know Marco Polo left China in A.D.1292 and have reached Paandiya country in Tamil Nadu. So it could be concluded that Marco Polo reached the Pandiya country early A.D.1292, and found Sunthara Paandiyan - 1 ruling at Mathurai and Kulasekara Paandiyan ruling from Korkai. However during latter part of A.D.1292 Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan met his death as confirmed by Muslim historian of this period namely Abdul Wassaf in his Writings. It was from A.D.1292-1310 king Maaravarman Kulasekara continued his rule but now from the city of Mathurai after spell of 24 years in Kaayalpattinam.
Maravarman Kulasekara Paandiyan (A.D.1268-1310) in turn had four other brothers making five with him, ruling different parts of then Paandiyan empire. The reference in (b) as per Marco Polo that the Sunder Bandi Dever as one of the brother's of Kulasekaran undoubtedly was an error.
From the foregoing it is very clear that Kaayalpattinam was essentially the seaport city of post-medieval period Paandiyan kings, and existed during the period of rule by king Sadaiyavarman Sundera Paandiyan - 1 and his son Maravarman Kulasekara Paandiyan, long before the Muslim invasion of the Paandiyan capital city of Mathurai under Malik Kafur in A.D.1311.
