Early Pandyas: Map & History
The Early Pandyas of the Sangam period were one of the three main kingdoms of the Tamils, the other two being the Cholas, and Cheras dynasty.
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The Early Pandyas of the Sangam period were one of the three main kingdoms of the Tamils, the other two being the Cholas, and Cheras dynasty. As with many other kingdoms around this period, most of the information about the Early Pandyas come to modern historians mainly through literary sources and some epigraphic, archaeological and numismatic evidence. The capital of the Early Pandyan kingdom was initially Korkai, Thoothukudi and was later moved to Koodal during the reign of Nedunjeliyan I.
Modern Countries Once Part of Early Pandyas
At its mapped extent, Early Pandyas covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Early Pandyas's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Early Pandyas in Depth
History
Scholars have attempted to reconstruct the political history of the ancient Pandya country based on classical works such as the Purananuru, the Pattuppāṭṭu and the Padirrupattu.
The first Pandyan king who has been mentioned in the Sangam works recovered so far is Nedunjeliyan I, who ruled from the coastal town of Korkai, at the mouth of river Tamraparni. During this time, the Tamil country consisted of several small kingdoms ruled over by independent chieftains, in addition to the three monarchies of Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. In a bid to expand his territory, Nedunj Cheliyan I invaded the kingdom of Koodal (later renamed Madurai), which was under the rule of an independent chieftain, Akutai. He defeated Akutai and moved the capital of Pandyan kingdom to Madurai.
Government
The head of the government was the king, a hereditary monarch. His power was restricted by the Aimberunguzhu (Tamil: ஐம்பெருங்குழு) or the Five Great Assemblies, which consisted of the representatives of the people, priests, physicians, astrologers and the ministers. There was another assembly of officials that served the king called the Enberaayam (Tamil: எண்பேராயம்) or the Eight Groups of Attendants. While some scholars believe it consisted of attendants on the king's person like the perfumers, dressing valets, etc., others believe it consisted of more important persons like the people of the capital city, the leaders of the elephant corps and of the cavalry. The principal officers of State were the high priest, the chief astrologer, the ministers and the commanders of the army.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Early Pandyan kingdom (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Early Pandyas Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Early Pandyas appears, with the other states of the time.
Early Pandyas Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 32,556 km² in 302 CE.
Early Pandyas: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Early Pandyas exist?
Early Pandyas is dated to 291 BCE – 305 CE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
How large was Early Pandyas at its peak?
At its peak in 302 AD Early Pandyas covered about 32,556 km².
How did the map of Early Pandyas change over time?
Early Pandyas appears on 6 dated world maps in the atlas, from 200 BCE to 300 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.