War & Conflict:- The three ancient kingdoms of Tamil Nadu

The ancient history of Tamil Nadu is centered around three indigenous Tamil kingdoms, the Pallavas, the Cholas, and the Pandyas.

The Pallava dynasty was one of the longest ruling dynasties in South India. They ruled for over a thousand years from the 3rd century to the 9th century CE. The word Pallava means to shine or to glitter.

At their peak, the Pallava dynasty extended all the way up to the Vindhya Mountains in modern day Central India.

The Pallavas were great patrons of the arts and they excelled in poetry, music and dance. They took these arts very seriously. They established the first known music academy in the world.

The Pallavas constructed seven of the eight ancient temples in Mahabalipuram, and they were also the founders of the Zen faith, and this might somewhat explain the singlemindedness of their successors, the Cholas. The Pallava temples are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Pallavas didn’t just build temples, they also fought wars. They were brave warriors and they had a large standing army. The Pallava dynasty ended in the 9th century. The last Pallava king, Nripatungavarman, was defeated by the Cholas.

Their successors, the Cholas adopted many aspects of the Pallava culture, including their love for music and dance. In fact, the Cholas built a new music academy in Thanjavur emulating their predecessors.  

The Cholas were a powerful dynasty that ruled over a significant portion of the Indian subcontinent between the 3rd century BCE and the 13th century CE. At their peak, they controlled territories that reached all the way to the north of India. The Cholas were known for their impressive military feats, their contributions to art and architecture, as well as their efficient administration and economic policies.

The early Cholas established their dynasty around the 3rd century BCE with their capital at Uraiyur. They were initially a small kingdom, but gradually expanded their territories through strategic alliances and military campaigns. By the 6th century CE, they controlled most of the Kaveri Delta and had become a major power in southern India.

During the reign of Raja Raja Chola, the dynasty reached its golden age. Raja Raja ruled from 985 to 1014 CE and is considered one of the greatest rulers in Indian history. Raja Raja Chola’s military campaigns are legendary. He is credited with conquering the Deccan Plateau and defeating the Pandyas, Cheras, and Sennas. He also led naval expeditions to Southeast Asia, and established trade routes and facilitated cultural exchanges.

The Cholas were devoted to Shiva, and built numerous temples and other structures across their empire in honor of their beloved god. Their contributions to art and architecture are still visible today in the form of magnificent temples like the Great Temple of Thanjavur. This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stands as a testament to the Cholas architectural brilliance.

The Chola dynasty had a profound impact in the development of Indian society. Their efficient administration and focus on agriculture led to the growth of prosperous cities and allowed them to sustain a flourishing economy. The Cholas also developed an extensive network of wells and irrigation canals that helped to increase agricultural production and support a growing population.

However, like many other powerful dynasties in India, the Cholas eventually started to decline. Internal conflicts and the rise of external enemies contributed to the weakening of the empire. By the 13th century CE, the Chola dynasty had lost much of its territory and power, marking the end of an era.

In 1279 the Chola king Rajendran III was defeated by the Pandya king, Jatavarman Sundara Pandya I, and with his defeat the Chola era ended.

The legacy of the Chola dynasty, however, continued to influence the cultural and political landscape of India for centuries. Their contributions to art, architecture, literature and administration left an indelible mark on subsequent kingdoms and empires.

The Pandya Dynasty was a Tamil dynasty that ruled over the southern Indian kingdom of Pandya from the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. The name Pandya comes from the ancient Tamil word for five, possibly referring to the five brothers who founded the dynasty. According to the ancient Tamil epic Silappatikaram, the first king of the Pandya dynasty was Nedunjeliyan. He was succeeded by his brother Maruthanili, under whose reign the kingdom reached its peak. The Pandya kingdom at the time was located around the present-day districts of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu.

Around the 2nd century BCE, the Pandya dynasty came in conflict with the Chera dynasty over the control of the important port city of Muziris. The Chera king Ellam Raja, who ruled from modern-day Kerala, wanted to expand his kingdom southwards.

After several battles, it was decided that the Pandya king would retain control of Madurai and the Chera king would rule over Muziris. This conflict is depicted in the epic poem Silapathikaram, which tells the story of Kannagi, a queen from the Pandya kingdom.

In the 3rd century CE, the Pandya dynasty started to decline after a Chola invasion from the north. The last independent Pandya king was Jada Pandian. He is believed to have died around 278 CE, ending the reign of the Pandya dynasty. Despite that a branch of the Pandya royal family continued to rule over the southernmost part of the kingdom, around the present-day Kanyakumari district, until the 13th century, when a resurrected Pandya dynasty defeated the Cholas, and assumed control of their territories.

The Pandya dynasty played an important role in the cultural and political history of South India. They were patrons of the arts and literature, and their influence can be seen in the development of Tamil poetry and music. The Pandyas were also known for their military prowess, and they fought against the Cholas, Cheras and Satavahanas. Despite their eventual decline, the Pandyas left behind a legacy that would inspire future generations.

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