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{{Short description|Civil war in Southern India}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}} | {{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}} | ||
{{ | {{Infobox military conflict | ||
| conflict = Pandyan Civil War | |||
| width = | |||
| partof = | |||
| image = Singhales_ride_into_Southern_India.jpg | |||
| image_size = | |||
| alt = | |||
| caption = [[Sinhalese People|Sinhalese]] troops ride into Southern India | |||
| date = 1169–1177<ref name="colas" /> | |||
| place = [[Southern India]] and [[Sri Lanka]] | |||
| coordinates = <!--Use the {{coord}} template --> | |||
| map_type = | |||
| map_relief = | |||
| map_size = | |||
| map_marksize = | |||
| map_caption = | |||
| map_label = | |||
| territory = *[[Polonnaruwa kingdom]] and Vira Pandya III kingdom Alliance occupy [[Rameshwaram]] until 1182 | |||
*Chola backed-faction controls the majority of Pandya Nadu.<ref name="colas" /> | |||
*Pandya Nadu re-established | |||
| result = * Pandyan civil conflict ends. Rival kingdoms abandon military intervention | |||
*Sinhalese-Vira Pandya alliance lost the war against Cholas <ref name="colas" /> | |||
| combatant1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Chola Kingdom.png}} [[Chola dynasty]] | |||
{{flagicon image|Twin_fish_flag_of_Pandyas.svg}} [[Pandya dynasty]] | |||
| combatant2 = {{flagicon|Anuradhapura Kingdom}} [[Kingdom of Polonnaruwa]] | |||
{{flagicon image|Twin_fish_flag_of_Pandyas.svg}} [[Pandya dynasty]] | |||
| commander1 = '''Kings''' | |||
{{plainlist| | |||
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Chola Kingdom.png}} [[Rajaraja II]]<br>(1166–1168) | |||
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Chola Kingdom.png}} [[Rajadhiraja Chola II|Rajadhiraja II]]<br>(1174–1177) | |||
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Chola Kingdom.png}} [[Kulothunga Chola III]]<br>(1179–1182) | |||
* {{flagicon image|Twin_fish_flag_of_Pandyas.svg}} Kulasekara Pandyan<br>(1166-1168) | |||
* {{flagicon image|Twin_fish_flag_of_Pandyas.svg}} Jatavarman Vira Pandyan<br>(1174–1177) | |||
* {{flagicon image|Twin_fish_flag_of_Pandyas.svg}} Vikrama Pandiyan<br>(1179–1182) | |||
}} | |||
---- | |||
| result | '''Commanders''' | ||
{{plainlist| | |||
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Chola Kingdom.png}} Peruman Nambi Pallavarayan (supreme)<br>(1166–1168) | |||
| combatant1 | * {{flagicon image|Flag of Chola Kingdom.png}}Anna Pallavarayan (supreme)<br>(1174–1182) | ||
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Chola Kingdom.png}} Narasinga Varmarayan<br>(1166–1168) | |||
| | * {{flagicon image|Flag of Chola Kingdom.png}} Kandan Suryan Rajaraja Sambuvarayan (1174–1182) | ||
| commander1 | * {{flagicon image|Twin_fish_flag_of_Pandyas.svg}} Kandadeva Mazhavan | ||
| commander2 | * {{flagicon image|Twin_fish_flag_of_Pandyas.svg}} Mazhava Chakkaravrti | ||
| | }} | ||
| units1 | | commander2 = '''Kings''' | ||
| units2 | {{plainlist| | ||
* {{flagicon|Anuradhapura Kingdom}} [[Parakramabahu I]] | |||
| strength1 | * {{flagicon image|Twin_fish_flag_of_Pandyas.svg}} [[Parakrama Pandyan I|Parakrama I]]{{KIA}}<br>(1166–1168) | ||
| strength2 | * {{flagicon image|Twin_fish_flag_of_Pandyas.svg}} Kulasekara Pandyan<br>(1174–1177) | ||
* {{flagicon image|Twin_fish_flag_of_Pandyas.svg}} Jatavarman Vira Pandyan<br>(1179–1182) | |||
| casualties1 = Unknown | }} | ||
| casualties2 = | ---- | ||
| casualties3 = | '''Commanders''' | ||
| notes | {{plainlist| | ||
| campaignbox = | * {{flagicon|Anuradhapura Kingdom}} [[Lankapura Dandanatha]] (supreme){{KIA}} | ||
* {{flagicon|Anuradhapura Kingdom}} Jagath Vijaya {{KIA}} | |||
* {{flagicon|Anuradhapura Kingdom}} Lankapura Deva | |||
* {{flagicon|Anuradhapura Kingdom}} Lankagiri Sora | |||
* {{flagicon|Anuradhapura Kingdom}} Kesadathu Kitti | |||
* {{flagicon|Anuradhapura Kingdom}} Kesadathu Loka | |||
* {{flagicon|Anuradhapura Kingdom}} Gokanna | |||
* {{flagicon image|Twin_fish_flag_of_Pandyas.svg}} Kandadeva Mazhavan | |||
* {{flagicon image|Twin_fish_flag_of_Pandyas.svg}} Mazhava Chakkaravarti | |||
}} | |||
| units1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Chola Kingdom.png}}[[Chola military|Chola Army]] <br>{{flagicon image|Flag of Chola Kingdom.png}}[[Chola Navy]]<br>{{flagicon image|Twin_fish_flag_of_Pandyas.svg}} Pandyan auxiliaries of [[Kongu Nadu|Kongu]] | |||
| units2 = {{flagicon|Anuradhapura Kingdom}} [[Kingdom of Polonnaruwa#Army|Polonnaruwa Army]]<br> {{flagicon|Anuradhapura Kingdom}} [[Kingdom of Polonnaruwa#Naval forces|Polonnaruwa Navy]] <br>{{flagicon image|Twin_fish_flag_of_Pandyas.svg}} Pandyan auxiliaries | |||
| strength1 = | |||
| strength2 = | |||
| casualties1 = Unknown number of casualties | |||
| casualties2 = Sinhala commanders Lankapura Dandanatha, Jagath Vijaya and their officers and soldiers were killed <ref>{{cite journal |last=GEIGER|first=WILH|title=The Trustworthiness of Mahavamsa|url=https://buddhism.lib.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-ENG/gei.htm#:~:text=All%20these%20facts%20are%20told, somtimes%20also%20exaggerations%20may%20occur|pages=215–216|journal=THE Indian Historical Quarterly}}</ref> <br />King Parakrama Pandyan I with many number of his soldiers and many number of Sinhalese Soldiers were killed.<ref name="colas" /> | |||
| casualties3 = Some Tamils captured from the war were brought to Sri Lanka to renovate the [[Ruwanwelisaya]];<br /> [[Ramanathaswamy temple]] plundered by Sinhala army. | |||
| notes = The Cholas killed some Sinhalese and took others captive during the counter invasion in Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sastry |first=Nilakanda |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/312542319/The-Colas-Vol-2-Part-1-by-Nilakanta-Sastri|title=The Colas Vol 2|pages=103–104}}</ref> | |||
| campaignbox = | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{Campaignbox Polonnaruwa period conflicts}} | {{Campaignbox Polonnaruwa period conflicts}} | ||
The '''Pandyan Civil War''' from 1169 to 1177 was precipitated by rival claims of succession to the [[Pandya dynasty|Pandyan throne]] between [[Parakrama Pandyan I]] and his | The '''Pandyan Civil War'''<ref name=":0">{{cite book|location=India |title=The Second Pandyan Empire, A.D. 1190-1312|year=2008|orig-year=1987|quote=|page=24}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Mehta |first=Mu. |title=Sozha Nila |publisher=Kavitha publications |year=2014 |pages=428 |language=Tamil}}</ref> from 1169 to 1177<ref name="colas" /><ref name=":1" /> was precipitated by rival claims of succession to the [[Pandya dynasty|Pandyan throne]]. The Civil War began between [[Parakrama Pandyan I|Parakrama Pandyan]] and his nephew Kulasekhara Pandyan and lasted for the next 15 years between successive Pandyan kings. The war gradually spread to the rest of Southern India when the Chola King [[Rajadhiraja Chola II|Rajadhiraja II]]<ref name="colas" /> and the Sinhalese King [[Parakramabahu I]] of [[Kingdom of Polonnaruwa|Polonnaruwa]] entered the fray and took opposing sides in the conflict, eager to increase their influence in the Pandyan kingdom. | ||
In about 1169, Kulasekhara besieged [[Madurai]], forcing the Pandyan king [[Parakrama Pandyan I]] to appeal to the Sinhalese King [[Parakramabahu I]] for assistance. But before Parakramabahu I's army could reach Madurai, Parakrama Pandyan had been executed and Kulasekhara had ascended the throne. However Parakrama Pandyan's son, Vira | In about 1169, Kulasekhara besieged [[Madurai]], forcing the Pandyan king [[Parakrama Pandyan I|Parakrama I]] to appeal to the Sinhalese King [[Parakramabahu I]] for assistance. But before Parakramabahu I's army could reach Madurai, [[Parakrama Pandyan I|Parakrama I]] had been executed, and Kulasekhara Pandyan had ascended the throne. However, [[Parakrama Pandyan I|Parakrama's]] son, Vira Pandyan III, sided with the Polonnaruwa forces led by General [[Lankapura Dandanatha]].<ref name=":2">Ancient Jaffna. pp. 269-270</ref> The Polonnaruwa Army invaded the Pandyan kingdom and, Kulasekhara Pandyan was forced into exile. | ||
==Events== | ==Events== | ||
===Prior to the war=== | ===Prior to the war=== | ||
Images of various gateway towers in the temple in 1169, Kulasekhara Pandyan, a rival claimant of the Pandyan throne, besieged the Pandyan capital at [[Madurai]]. Pandyan king, Parakrama Pandyan I, had to call for military support from the King of [[Kingdom of Polonnaruwa|Polonnaruwa]], [[Parakramabahu I]].{{sfn|Mendis|1996|page=65}} By the time the Polonnaruwa Army was assembled for an invasion, it was too late. {{sfn|Siriweera|2002|page=56}} Parakrama Pandyan's position was overrun, and Kulasekhara ascended the throne as Kulasekhara Pandya I.{{sfn|Ramamurthi|1986}} Parakramabahu I instructed his general [[Lankapura Dandanatha]] to invade Pandya and besiege Madurai, thus overthrowing Kulasekhara and place Vira Pandya III on the throne.{{sfn|Aiyangar|1991|page=3}}{{sfn|Perera|Ratnasabapathy|1954|pp=226 & 248-301}} | |||
{{multiple image | |||
| caption_align = center | |||
| header_align = center | |||
| align = left | |||
| total_width = 350 | |||
| direction = horizontal | |||
| image1 = Rajaraja2 territories.png | |||
| footer = [[Chola|Chola Territory]] During the war. | |||
}} | |||
===Sinhalese offensive=== | ===Sinhalese offensive=== | ||
The offensive began in 1171 or 1172; the Sinhalese Army and other units of Polonnaruwa led by Lankapura launched the attack on [[Ramesvaram]]. After sailing around the [[Palk strait]] for a day, Lankapura landed at [[Ramesvaram]] with the Polonnaruwa forces. However, he plundered the [[Ramanathaswamy Temple|Rameshvaram temple]]'s treasury prior to taking position | [[File:Rameswaram_temple_(11).jpg|thumb|The [[Ramanathaswamy Temple]] in [[Rameswaram]] was sacked by the [[Kingdom of Polonnaruwa|Polonnaruwa Army.]]]] | ||
The offensive began in 1171 or 1172; the Sinhalese Army and other units of Polonnaruwa led by Lankapura launched the attack on [[Ramesvaram]]. After sailing around the [[Palk strait]] for a day, Lankapura landed at [[Ramesvaram]] (Ramissara in Old Sinhala) with the Polonnaruwa forces. However, he plundered the [[Ramanathaswamy Temple|Rameshvaram temple]]'s treasury prior to taking position. Afterwards they took up defensive positions in a nearby place called Kundukala, Lankapura named this place ''Parakramapura'' (in [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]]). meaning the Land of Parakrama). Lankapura received a message from Vira Pandya III, the surviving son of Parakrama Pandyan; after being aware that he was alive, Lankapura allied with him.{{sfn|Aiyangar|1991|pages=3–9}} Prisoners of Lankapura were sent to repair the [[Ruwanwelisaya]], which was damaged by the Cholas a century prior.<ref name="colas">Sastri. 1935 Page No: 372"If we follow the chronology of the Mahavamsa and one set of Rajadhiraja's inscriptions, the events of the war may be placed between say ad 1169 and 1177." Page No: 369 " Pallavarayar alias Tirucirrambalamudaiyan Perumanambi, who was entrusted with these tasks, entertained Kulasekhara suitably during his stay in the Chola country, and having with his army, resources and zeal, brought about the reconquest of the Pandyan kingdom, he carried out his master's orders to the letter by nailing the heads of Lankapura Dandanatha and others to the gates of Madurai."</ref> | |||
Lankapura defeated the chieftains who were apparently loyal to Kulasekhara, at Madamdura; and later took possession of Patapatha, defeating its chieftains.{{sfn|Aiyangar|page=5}} | Lankapura defeated the chieftains, who were apparently loyal to Kulasekhara, at Madamdura; and later took possession of Patapatha, defeating its chieftains.{{sfn|Aiyangar|1991|page=5}} | ||
Kulasekhara Pandya put up a fierce resistance against the invasion{{sfn|Paranavitana|Nicolas|page=231}} and appealed to the Chola King Rajadhiraja II for military support. Rajadhiraja responded by sending a powerful force led by commander Pallavarayar. The Chola Army met the Polonnaruwa forces in a couple of pitched battles at Kilenilaya (identified with the modern-day Kilnilai) and Pon-Amaravathi. In addition to the Cholas, Kulasekhara appealed to some Kongu chieftains, who helped him mobilize his forces.{{sfn|Aiyangar|1991|page=4}} The army led by Lankapura advanced to Madurai, defeating the defenses deployed by the Chola army.{{sfn|Rambukwelle|page=128}} Kulasekhara fled Madurai in panic as Vira Pandya was installed on the throne. | |||
Kulasekhara Pandya put up a fierce resistance against the invasion | Then Cholas decided to fight against the Lankapura's army again, then came news from Pilai Pallavarayar that the commanders including Jayadratha (Jagath Vijaya) and Lankapura Dandanatha and the entire army from Sri Lanka had sustained defeat. <ref name="Sastry 368–372">{{cite book |last=Sastry |first=Nilakanda |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.4293/page/n384/mode/1up |title=Colas |pages=368–372}}</ref> | ||
===Chola Offensive=== | |||
Rajadhiraja II then responded by sending his commander Thiruchitrambalamudaiyan Perumanambi along, with a strong army with specific instructions to kill Lankapura and Jagath Vijaya of the Polonnaruwa Army and hang their heads from the gates of the palace of Madurai. | |||
According to [[K. A. Sastri | Pallavarayar alias Tirucirrambalamudaiyan Perumanambi, who was entrusted with these tasks, entertained Kulasekhara suitably during his stay in the Chola country and having with his army, resources and zeal, brought about the reconquest of the Pandyan kingdom. He carried out his master's orders to the letter by nailing the heads of Lankapura Dandanatha and others (other Soldiers) to the gates of Madurai.<ref name="colas" /> | ||
The Chola inscriptions that describe this war make it appear that the Chola intervention under Pallava Rayar, the son of Edirisola Sambuvarayan, was effective, and was the deciding factor in the retirement of the Sinhalese. Kulasekhara was able, after the departure of the Sinhala army, to maintain the campaign, and ultimately victory seems to have turned in his favour. The war continued against Vira Pandya even after the retirement of the Sinhalese. Kulasekhara died in the course of the war or soon after. The last great Chola Kulottunga III, as heir-apparent, took up the cause of his son Vikrama Pandya vigorously, and, according to the Chola record at Tirukkollambudur of the fourth year of Kulottunga III (A.D. 1182) "the Sinhalese soldiers had their noses cut off and rushed into the sea. Vira Pandya himself was compelled to retreat. The town of Madurai was captured and made over to Vikrama Pandya." The war thus ended in favour of the Cholas, sometime in the 1170s.{{sfn|Aiyangar|1991|pages=3–10, 42, 105}} | |||
Following rumours that Parakramabahu was preparing for another invasion, Rajadhiraja II sent a brigade commanded by Annan Pallavarayan to launch a pre-emptive strike.<ref name=":0">{{cite book|location=India |title=The Second Pandyan Empire, A.D. 1190-1312|year=2008|orig-year=1987|quote=|page=24}}</ref> Annan Pallavarayan invaded Polonnaruwa and destroyed Parakramabahu's preparations for the invasion. The Cholas also provided support to Sinhalese Prince Sri Vallabha, nephew of Parakramabahu and a rival claimant to the Polonnaruwa throne.<ref name='colas'/> Sri Vallabha decided to stay in the Chola camp, assisting the Cholas.<ref name=":2">Ancient Jaffna. pp. 269-270</ref> | |||
The expedition that was sent with Srivallabha at its head captured and destroyed several places in Sri Lanka, including Pulaiccēri and Mahathiththa, where Parakramabahu was gathering his forces; it seized many elephants and set fire to a considerable area extending over twenty kādams from east to west and seventy kādams from north to south, killing some of the Sinhalese chieftains of the locality and taking others(soldiers) captive as [[POWs|prisoners of war]]. The booty captured in the course of the expedition was then duly presented to the Chola king by Annan Pallavarayan, who thus successfully counteracted all the machinations of the Sinhalese ruler.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sastry |first=Nilakanda |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/312542319/The-Colas-Vol-2-Part-1-by-Nilakanta-Sastri|title=The Colas Vol 2|pages=103–104}}</ref> | |||
According to [[K. A. Nilakanta Sastri]], Parakramabahu made a ''volte-face'' by sending costly gifts such as jewels and gold to Kulasekhara convincing him to invade the Chola Kingdom.<ref name='colas'/>{{sfn|Kasturi|2007|page=103}} Kulasekhara invaded the Cholas but was defeated and driven out. Chola forces then successfully invaded the Pandya kingdom and reinstalled Prince Vira Pandya on the throne.<ref name='colas'/> However, [[Sakkottai Krishnaswami Aiyangar|S. K. Aiyangar]] notes that Kulasekhara died in the course of the war, and his son Vickrama Pandya kept rebelling against the occupying forces. | |||
===Aftermath=== | ===Aftermath=== | ||
{{main|Battle of Nettur}} | {{main|Battle of Nettur}} | ||
Vira Pandya remained a client of the Cholas, however, he decided to grant independence to the Pandya country. His hostilities against the Cholas begun at a time when Kulasekhara's son, Vickrama was rebelling against him. Despite receiving assistance from Parakramabahu, he was defeated and Vickrama ascended the throne. The armies of Parakramabahu controlled | [[File:Ruwanwelisaya_Stupa_03.JPG|thumb|Prisoners of the War were sent to [[Ruwanwelisaya]] to repair the [[stupa]] previously damaged by [[Chola conquest of Anuradhapura|Chola Invasions]].]] | ||
Vira Pandya remained a client of the Cholas, however, he decided to grant independence to the Pandya country. His hostilities against the Cholas begun at a time when Kulasekhara's son, Vickrama was rebelling against him. Despite receiving assistance from Parakramabahu, he was defeated and Vickrama ascended the throne. The armies of Parakramabahu and Vira Pandyan controlled Rameswaram until 1182.{{sfn|Aiyangar|1991|page=11}} | |||
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
===Second conflict=== | ===Second conflict=== | ||
The death of Jatavarman Pandyan occurred in 1308, a second conflict stemmed from succession disputes amongst his sons, Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan III, the legitimate and younger son and Jatavarman Veera Pandyan II, the illegitimate older son who | The death of Jatavarman Pandyan occurred in 1308, a second conflict stemmed from succession disputes amongst his sons, Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan III, the legitimate and younger son and Jatavarman Veera Pandyan II, the illegitimate older son who the king favoured. Accounts from Muslim historians Wassaf and [[Amir Khusrau]] say he was killed by Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan III in 1310.{{sfn|Aiyangar|1991|page=97}} | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 85: | Line 137: | ||
*[[Chola conquest of Anuradhapura]] | *[[Chola conquest of Anuradhapura]] | ||
*[[Anuradhapura invasion of Pandya]] | *[[Anuradhapura invasion of Pandya]] | ||
* | *{{section link|Parakramabahu I|War with Bagan}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 96: | Line 148: | ||
*{{cite book|last=Coedes|first=George|title=The Indianized States of Southeast Asia}} | *{{cite book|last=Coedes|first=George|title=The Indianized States of Southeast Asia}} | ||
* {{cite book|last = Sumangala| first= H.S| title= Culawamsa| language= Pali| translator= Greiger W. |orig-year= }} | * {{cite book|last = Sumangala| first= H.S| title= Culawamsa| language= Pali| translator= Greiger W. |orig-year= }} | ||
*{{cite book| | *{{cite book|last1=Paranavitana|author-link=Senerath Paranavitana|first1=Senerat|title=Ceylon|last2=Nicolas|first2=Cyril Wace}} | ||
*{{cite book|last=Siriweera|first=W|title=History of Sri Lanka From The Earliest Times Up To The Sixteenth Century|isbn=9555512574}} | * {{cite book|title=Ceylon & Indian History from the Early Times to 1505 A. D.|last1=Perera|first1=L|last2=Ratnasabapathy|first2=M|year=1954|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5nc_AAAAMAAJ}} | ||
* {{cite book|last=Aiyangar|first=Krishnaswami S. |title=South India and Her Muhammadan Invaders|publisher=Asian Educational Services|year=1991|isbn=978-81-206-0536-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w6zkx_Ck3FwC&pg=PA3 | *{{cite book|last=Siriweera|first=W|title=History of Sri Lanka From The Earliest Times Up To The Sixteenth Century|year=2002|publisher=Dayawansa Jayakody & Company|isbn=9555512574}} | ||
* {{cite book|last=Kasturi|first=P.|location=India|title=South India Heritage: An Introduction|isbn= | * {{cite book|last=Aiyangar|first=Krishnaswami S. |title=South India and Her Muhammadan Invaders|publisher=Asian Educational Services|year=1991|isbn=978-81-206-0536-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w6zkx_Ck3FwC&pg=PA3}} | ||
* {{cite book|last=Kasturi|first=P.|location=India|title=South India Heritage: An Introduction|year=2007|isbn=978-8188661640}} | |||
* {{cite book|last=Ramamurthi|first=V.|title=History of Kongu: Pre-historic period to 1300 A.D|chapter=The Pandian Civil War|publisher=Internation Society for the Investigation of Ancient Civilization|year=1986|location=India}} | * {{cite book|last=Ramamurthi|first=V.|title=History of Kongu: Pre-historic period to 1300 A.D|chapter=The Pandian Civil War|publisher=Internation Society for the Investigation of Ancient Civilization|year=1986|location=India}} | ||
* {{cite book|last=Sethuraman|first=N.|title=Medieval Pandyas, A.D. 1000-1200|year=|location=}} | * {{cite book|last=Sethuraman|first=N.|title=Medieval Pandyas, A.D. 1000-1200|year=|location=}} | ||
* {{cite book|last=Sethuraman|first=N.|year=1978|location=India|title=The Imperial Pandyas}} | * {{cite book|last=Sethuraman|first=N.|year=1978|location=India|title=The Imperial Pandyas}} | ||
* {{cite book|last=Wright|first=Arnold |title=Twentieth century impressions of Ceylon: its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources|publisher=Asian Educational Services|year=1999|pages=37|isbn=978-81-206-1335-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eUF_rS8FEoIC&pg=PA37 | * {{cite book|last=Wright|first=Arnold |title=Twentieth century impressions of Ceylon: its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources|publisher=Asian Educational Services|year=1999|pages=37|isbn=978-81-206-1335-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eUF_rS8FEoIC&pg=PA37}} | ||
* {{cite book|title=Commentary on Sinhala kingship|last=Rambukwelle|location=Sri Lanka|first=R.}} | * {{cite book|title=Commentary on Sinhala kingship|last=Rambukwelle|location=Sri Lanka|first=R.}} | ||
* {{cite book|title=Early History Of Ceylon|last=Mendis|first=C.|isbn=978-81-206-0209-0|publisher=Asian Education Services}} | * {{cite book|title=Early History Of Ceylon|last=Mendis|first=C.|date=December 1996|isbn=978-81-206-0209-0|publisher=Asian Education Services}} | ||
{{refend}} | {{refend}} | ||
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[[Category:12th century in India]] | [[Category:12th century in India]] | ||
[[Category:12th-century conflicts]] | [[Category:12th-century conflicts]] | ||
[[Category:Pandyan | [[Category:Pandyan Empire]] | ||
[[Category:1160s conflicts]] | [[Category:1160s conflicts]] | ||
[[Category:1170s conflicts]] | [[Category:1170s conflicts]] | ||
| Line 122: | Line 175: | ||
[[Category:1160s in Asia]] | [[Category:1160s in Asia]] | ||
[[Category:1170s in Asia]] | [[Category:1170s in Asia]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Wars involving the Pandyan Empire]] | ||
[[Category:Wars of succession involving the states and peoples of Asia]] | [[Category:Wars of succession involving the states and peoples of Asia]] | ||
[[Category:Wars involving | [[Category:Wars involving the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa]] | ||
[[Category:Kingdom of Polonnaruwa]] | [[Category:Kingdom of Polonnaruwa]] | ||
[[Category:Proxy wars]] | [[Category:Proxy wars]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:25, 22 March 2026
| Pandyan Civil War | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sinhalese troops ride into Southern India | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Pandya dynasty |
Template:Country data Anuradhapura KingdomTemplate:Preview warning Kingdom of Polonnaruwa Pandya dynasty | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Kings
Commanders
|
Kings
Commanders
| ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
 Chola Army Chola Navy Pandyan auxiliaries of Kongu |
Template:Country data Anuradhapura KingdomTemplate:Preview warning Polonnaruwa Army Template:Country data Anuradhapura KingdomTemplate:Preview warning Polonnaruwa Navy Pandyan auxiliaries | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown number of casualties |
Sinhala commanders Lankapura Dandanatha, Jagath Vijaya and their officers and soldiers were killed [2] King Parakrama Pandyan I with many number of his soldiers and many number of Sinhalese Soldiers were killed.[1] | ||||||||
|
Some Tamils captured from the war were brought to Sri Lanka to renovate the Ruwanwelisaya; Ramanathaswamy temple plundered by Sinhala army. | |||||||||
| The Cholas killed some Sinhalese and took others captive during the counter invasion in Sri Lanka.[3] | |||||||||
Template:Campaignbox Polonnaruwa period conflicts
The Pandyan Civil War[4][5] from 1169 to 1177[1][5] was precipitated by rival claims of succession to the Pandyan throne. The Civil War began between Parakrama Pandyan and his nephew Kulasekhara Pandyan and lasted for the next 15 years between successive Pandyan kings. The war gradually spread to the rest of Southern India when the Chola King Rajadhiraja II[1] and the Sinhalese King Parakramabahu I of Polonnaruwa entered the fray and took opposing sides in the conflict, eager to increase their influence in the Pandyan kingdom.
In about 1169, Kulasekhara besieged Madurai, forcing the Pandyan king Parakrama I to appeal to the Sinhalese King Parakramabahu I for assistance. But before Parakramabahu I's army could reach Madurai, Parakrama I had been executed, and Kulasekhara Pandyan had ascended the throne. However, Parakrama's son, Vira Pandyan III, sided with the Polonnaruwa forces led by General Lankapura Dandanatha.[6] The Polonnaruwa Army invaded the Pandyan kingdom and, Kulasekhara Pandyan was forced into exile.
Events[edit | edit source]
Prior to the war[edit | edit source]
Images of various gateway towers in the temple in 1169, Kulasekhara Pandyan, a rival claimant of the Pandyan throne, besieged the Pandyan capital at Madurai. Pandyan king, Parakrama Pandyan I, had to call for military support from the King of Polonnaruwa, Parakramabahu I.[7] By the time the Polonnaruwa Army was assembled for an invasion, it was too late. [8] Parakrama Pandyan's position was overrun, and Kulasekhara ascended the throne as Kulasekhara Pandya I.[9] Parakramabahu I instructed his general Lankapura Dandanatha to invade Pandya and besiege Madurai, thus overthrowing Kulasekhara and place Vira Pandya III on the throne.[10][11]
Chola Territory During the war.
Sinhalese offensive[edit | edit source]
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The offensive began in 1171 or 1172; the Sinhalese Army and other units of Polonnaruwa led by Lankapura launched the attack on Ramesvaram. After sailing around the Palk strait for a day, Lankapura landed at Ramesvaram (Ramissara in Old Sinhala) with the Polonnaruwa forces. However, he plundered the Rameshvaram temple's treasury prior to taking position. Afterwards they took up defensive positions in a nearby place called Kundukala, Lankapura named this place Parakramapura (in Sinhala). meaning the Land of Parakrama). Lankapura received a message from Vira Pandya III, the surviving son of Parakrama Pandyan; after being aware that he was alive, Lankapura allied with him.[12] Prisoners of Lankapura were sent to repair the Ruwanwelisaya, which was damaged by the Cholas a century prior.[1]
Lankapura defeated the chieftains, who were apparently loyal to Kulasekhara, at Madamdura; and later took possession of Patapatha, defeating its chieftains.[13]
Kulasekhara Pandya put up a fierce resistance against the invasion[14] and appealed to the Chola King Rajadhiraja II for military support. Rajadhiraja responded by sending a powerful force led by commander Pallavarayar. The Chola Army met the Polonnaruwa forces in a couple of pitched battles at Kilenilaya (identified with the modern-day Kilnilai) and Pon-Amaravathi. In addition to the Cholas, Kulasekhara appealed to some Kongu chieftains, who helped him mobilize his forces.[15] The army led by Lankapura advanced to Madurai, defeating the defenses deployed by the Chola army.[16] Kulasekhara fled Madurai in panic as Vira Pandya was installed on the throne. Then Cholas decided to fight against the Lankapura's army again, then came news from Pilai Pallavarayar that the commanders including Jayadratha (Jagath Vijaya) and Lankapura Dandanatha and the entire army from Sri Lanka had sustained defeat. [17]
Chola Offensive[edit | edit source]
Rajadhiraja II then responded by sending his commander Thiruchitrambalamudaiyan Perumanambi along, with a strong army with specific instructions to kill Lankapura and Jagath Vijaya of the Polonnaruwa Army and hang their heads from the gates of the palace of Madurai.
Pallavarayar alias Tirucirrambalamudaiyan Perumanambi, who was entrusted with these tasks, entertained Kulasekhara suitably during his stay in the Chola country and having with his army, resources and zeal, brought about the reconquest of the Pandyan kingdom. He carried out his master's orders to the letter by nailing the heads of Lankapura Dandanatha and others (other Soldiers) to the gates of Madurai.[1]
The Chola inscriptions that describe this war make it appear that the Chola intervention under Pallava Rayar, the son of Edirisola Sambuvarayan, was effective, and was the deciding factor in the retirement of the Sinhalese. Kulasekhara was able, after the departure of the Sinhala army, to maintain the campaign, and ultimately victory seems to have turned in his favour. The war continued against Vira Pandya even after the retirement of the Sinhalese. Kulasekhara died in the course of the war or soon after. The last great Chola Kulottunga III, as heir-apparent, took up the cause of his son Vikrama Pandya vigorously, and, according to the Chola record at Tirukkollambudur of the fourth year of Kulottunga III (A.D. 1182) "the Sinhalese soldiers had their noses cut off and rushed into the sea. Vira Pandya himself was compelled to retreat. The town of Madurai was captured and made over to Vikrama Pandya." The war thus ended in favour of the Cholas, sometime in the 1170s.[18]
Following rumours that Parakramabahu was preparing for another invasion, Rajadhiraja II sent a brigade commanded by Annan Pallavarayan to launch a pre-emptive strike.[4] Annan Pallavarayan invaded Polonnaruwa and destroyed Parakramabahu's preparations for the invasion. The Cholas also provided support to Sinhalese Prince Sri Vallabha, nephew of Parakramabahu and a rival claimant to the Polonnaruwa throne.[1] Sri Vallabha decided to stay in the Chola camp, assisting the Cholas.[6]
The expedition that was sent with Srivallabha at its head captured and destroyed several places in Sri Lanka, including Pulaiccēri and Mahathiththa, where Parakramabahu was gathering his forces; it seized many elephants and set fire to a considerable area extending over twenty kādams from east to west and seventy kādams from north to south, killing some of the Sinhalese chieftains of the locality and taking others(soldiers) captive as prisoners of war. The booty captured in the course of the expedition was then duly presented to the Chola king by Annan Pallavarayan, who thus successfully counteracted all the machinations of the Sinhalese ruler.[19]
According to K. A. Nilakanta Sastri, Parakramabahu made a volte-face by sending costly gifts such as jewels and gold to Kulasekhara convincing him to invade the Chola Kingdom.[1][20] Kulasekhara invaded the Cholas but was defeated and driven out. Chola forces then successfully invaded the Pandya kingdom and reinstalled Prince Vira Pandya on the throne.[1] However, S. K. Aiyangar notes that Kulasekhara died in the course of the war, and his son Vickrama Pandya kept rebelling against the occupying forces.
Aftermath[edit | edit source]
Vira Pandya remained a client of the Cholas, however, he decided to grant independence to the Pandya country. His hostilities against the Cholas begun at a time when Kulasekhara's son, Vickrama was rebelling against him. Despite receiving assistance from Parakramabahu, he was defeated and Vickrama ascended the throne. The armies of Parakramabahu and Vira Pandyan controlled Rameswaram until 1182.[21]
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Second conflict[edit | edit source]
The death of Jatavarman Pandyan occurred in 1308, a second conflict stemmed from succession disputes amongst his sons, Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan III, the legitimate and younger son and Jatavarman Veera Pandyan II, the illegitimate older son who the king favoured. Accounts from Muslim historians Wassaf and Amir Khusrau say he was killed by Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan III in 1310.[22]
See also[edit | edit source]
- Parakrama Pandyan II
- Chola conquest of Anuradhapura
- Anuradhapura invasion of Pandya
- Parakramabahu I § War with Bagan
References[edit | edit source]
Citations[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Sastri. 1935 Page No: 372"If we follow the chronology of the Mahavamsa and one set of Rajadhiraja's inscriptions, the events of the war may be placed between say ad 1169 and 1177." Page No: 369 " Pallavarayar alias Tirucirrambalamudaiyan Perumanambi, who was entrusted with these tasks, entertained Kulasekhara suitably during his stay in the Chola country, and having with his army, resources and zeal, brought about the reconquest of the Pandyan kingdom, he carried out his master's orders to the letter by nailing the heads of Lankapura Dandanatha and others to the gates of Madurai."
- ↑ GEIGER, WILH. somtimes%20also%20exaggerations%20may%20occur "The Trustworthiness of Mahavamsa". THE Indian Historical Quarterly: 215–216.
{{cite journal}}: Check|url=value (help) - ↑ Sastry, Nilakanda. The Colas Vol 2. pp. 103–104.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Second Pandyan Empire, A.D. 1190-1312. India. 2008 [1987]. p. 24.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mehta, Mu. (2014). Sozha Nila (in Tamil). Kavitha publications. p. 428.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ancient Jaffna. pp. 269-270
- ↑ Mendis 1996, p. 65.
- ↑ Siriweera 2002, p. 56.
- ↑ Ramamurthi 1986.
- ↑ Aiyangar 1991, p. 3.
- ↑ Perera & Ratnasabapathy 1954, pp. 226 & 248-301.
- ↑ Aiyangar 1991, pp. 3–9.
- ↑ Aiyangar 1991, p. 5.
- ↑ Aiyangar 1991, p. 4.
- ↑ Rambukwelle, p. 128.
- ↑ Sastry, Nilakanda. Colas. pp. 368–372.
- ↑ Aiyangar 1991, pp. 3–10, 42, 105.
- ↑ Sastry, Nilakanda. The Colas Vol 2. pp. 103–104.
- ↑ Kasturi 2007, p. 103.
- ↑ Aiyangar 1991, p. 11.
- ↑ Aiyangar 1991, p. 97.
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
- Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta (2000) [1935]. The Cōlas. Madras: University of Madras. pp. 365–372.
- Coedes, George. The Indianized States of Southeast Asia.
- Sumangala, H.S. Culawamsa (in Pali). Translated by Greiger W.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - Paranavitana, Senerat; Nicolas, Cyril Wace. Ceylon.
- Perera, L; Ratnasabapathy, M (1954). Ceylon & Indian History from the Early Times to 1505 A. D.
- Siriweera, W (2002). History of Sri Lanka From The Earliest Times Up To The Sixteenth Century. Dayawansa Jayakody & Company. ISBN 9555512574.
- Aiyangar, Krishnaswami S. (1991). South India and Her Muhammadan Invaders. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 978-81-206-0536-7.
- Kasturi, P. (2007). South India Heritage: An Introduction. India. ISBN 978-8188661640.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Ramamurthi, V. (1986). "The Pandian Civil War". History of Kongu: Pre-historic period to 1300 A.D. India: Internation Society for the Investigation of Ancient Civilization.
- Sethuraman, N. Medieval Pandyas, A.D. 1000-1200.
- Sethuraman, N. (1978). The Imperial Pandyas. India.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Wright, Arnold (1999). Twentieth century impressions of Ceylon: its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources. Asian Educational Services. p. 37. ISBN 978-81-206-1335-5.
- Rambukwelle, R. Commentary on Sinhala kingship. Sri Lanka.
- Mendis, C. (December 1996). Early History Of Ceylon. Asian Education Services. ISBN 978-81-206-0209-0.
