page_title: Pandya dynasty
section_title: Early Pandyas (c. 3rd century BCE – c. 3rd century CE)
hierarchical_section_title: Pandya dynasty / Political history / Early Pandyas (c. 3rd century BCE – c. 3rd century CE)
caption_attribution_description: English: Temple_between_hill_symbols_and_elephant_coin_of_the_Pandyas_Sri_Lanka_1st_century_CE.
context_page_description: The Pandya dynasty, also known as the Pandyas of Madurai, was a dynasty of south India, one of the three ethnically Tamil lineages, the other two being the Chola and the Chera. The rulers of the three dynasties were referred to as "the three crowned rulers of the Tamil country". The Pandyas ruled extensive territories, at times including the large portions of present-day south India and Sri Lanka.Madurai was capital of the pandya kingdom.
  The age and antiquity of the dynasty is difficult to establish. The early Pandya chieftains ruled their country from time immemorial, which included the inland city of Madurai and the southern port of Korkai. The country of the Pandyas finds mention in a number of Graeco-Roman sources and the edicts Maurya emperor Asoka. The Pandyas are also celebrated in the earliest available Tamil poetry. Greek and Latin accounts, coins with legends in Tamil-Brahmi script, and Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions suggest the continuity of the Pandya dynasty from the 3rd century BCE to early centuries CE. The early historic Pandyas faded into obscurity upon the rise of the Kalabhra dynasty in south India.
context_section_description: Maurya emperor Asoka (3rd century BCE) seems to have been on friendly terms with the people of south India and Sri Lanka (the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Satiya Putras, the Kerala Putras and the Tamraparnis). There are no indications that Asoka tried to conquer the extreme south India (the Tamilakam – the Abode of the Tamils).
  
  The three chiefly lines of the early historic south India – the Cheras, Pandyas and Cholas – were known as the mu-vendar ("the three vendars"). They traditionally based at their original headquarters in the interior Tamil Nadu (Karur, Madurai and Uraiyur respectively). The powerful chiefdoms of the three ventar dominated the political and economic life of early historic south India. The frequent conflicts between the Chera, the Chola and the Pandya are well documented in ancient (the Sangam) Tamil poetry. The Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas also controlled the ports of Muziris (Muchiri), Korkai and Kaveri respectively (for the trade with the Graeco-Roman world). The gradual shift from chiefdoms to kingdoms seems to have occurred in the following period.
  The famous inscription of king Kharavela at Hathigumpha (mid-first century BCE) mentions the defeat of a confederacy of the "Tramira" countries which had been a threat to Kalinga. It also remembers the precious pearls brought to the capital as booty from the "Pandya" realm. The Pandya chiefdom was famous for its pearl fisheries and silk industry. Korkai and Alagankulam are believed to have been the exchange centres of the Pandyas. Korkai, a port at the mouth of the river Tambraparni, was linked to the famous pearl fisheries and Alagankulam was also developed as a port.
  A number of coins attributed to early historic Pandyas are found from the region. Inscriptions, datable to c. 2nd century BCE, recording royal grants – both from royals and wealthy commoners – were also discovered from the Pandya country.
  The Pandya seems to be the most prominent of the three "ventar" rulers. There are even references to a Pandya queen from 3rd century BCE representing a confederacy of the Tamil countries. Madurai, in south Tamil Nadu, was the most important cultural centre in south India as the core of the Tamil speakers. Megalithic relics such as menhirs, dolmens, urn burials, stone circles and rock-cut chambers/passages can be found in south India. Burial goods include iron objects, ivory ornaments, Black-and-Red Ware and even some Roman Imperial coins. The so-called "velir" hill chieftains are assumed to be associated with these megalithic burials.
  Greek and Latin accounts (early centuries CE), coins with legends in Tamil-Brahmi script, and Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions suggest the continuity of the Pandya dynasty from the 3rd century BCE to early centuries CE. The early Pandyas, along with the Cheras and the Cholas, were eventually displaced by the Kalabhra dynasty.
  The following is a partial list of Pandya rulers from early historic south India: The early Tamil poems mention twelve Pandya rulers.
  Koon Pandya
  Nedunjeliyan I ("Aariyap Padai Kadantha")
  Puda-pandya
  "Palyagasalai" Mudukudumi Peruvaludi
  Nedunjeliyan II
  Nan Maran
  Nedunj Cheliyan III ("Talaiyaalanganathu Seruvendra")
  Maran Valudi
  Kadalan Valuthi
  Musiri Mutriya Cheliyan
  Ukkirap Peruvaludi
caption: Pandya coin with temple between hills and elephant (Sri Lanka -1st century CE) (British Museum).
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