Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya I - 1268-1308 CE
Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya ascended the throne after the death of his father in 1268 CE. However, he was appointed as the co-regent by his father during the latter's reign and he actively supported his father in politics. The practice of shared rule was common during the Pandyas and Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya I shared his rule with Jatavarman Vira Pandya, Maravarman Vikkiraman III and Jatavarman Sundara Pandya II. Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya I was a powerful and capable ruler. After his death, a civil war started between his sons.
ACHIEVEMENTS
The inscriptions of Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya I are found from his third year of rule till his fortieth year of rule. According to his inscriptions, he defeated not only the Hoysalas and the Cholas but also defeated Bhuvanaikabahu, the Sri Lankan ruler and conquered Simhala.
The Venetian traveller Marco Polo visited the Pandyan territory during his reign. He has described Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya I as Asiyar or Ashkar and also praised his administration skills and the wealth of the Pandyan Empire. According to Marco Polo, the city of Kail or Kayal of the Pandyan Empire was very prosperous.
EXPEDITION AGAINST THE CHOLAS AND THE HOYSALAS
Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya I is credited with the victories over Kerala, Kongu, Cholamandalam, Tondaimandalam and Simhala. He defeated the Hoysalas under Ramanatha and their aid, the Chola empire under Rajendra Chola III in 1279 CE. This ended the three-century Chola rule and the Hoysala control over Tamil Nadu.
Maravraman Kulasekara Pandya I also fought a war in Venad state of Kerala perhaps as a result of a local revolt.
ATTACK ON SRI LANKA
Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya I led the Sri Lankan expedition in 1270 CE that has been described in the Mahavamsha. According to the description, a severe famine occurred in Sri Lanka during the reign of Bhuvanaikabahu I. Taking advantage of the situation, Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya I attacked and defeated Bhuvanaikabahu. He ransacked the city of Shubhgiri, entered the fort and took possession of the tooth of Buddha and the treasure. Later Parakrambahu, the son of Bhuvanaikabahu acted diplomatically and requested the Buddha tooth back which was granted by Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya I.
TITLES AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
The four-decade-long rule of Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya I was marked by prosperity and peace. His rule has been praised by Marco Polo and the Persian historian Abdulla Wassaf who has described the Tamil country as the most agreeable abode on the Earth and the most pleasant quarter of the Earth.
Marco Polo who refers to Kulasekaran as Asciar or Ascar, wrote about the cities of the Pandyan empire. He has described the wealth and the social customs of the local people. In his account, we find mention of pearl fisheries, horse trade, sati and devadasis.
The temple of Manivanneswaram in Tharangambadi was built by him. He also built the outer walls of the Thirunelveli Nellaiappar temple.
Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya I took the title of Kollamkondan meaning conqueror of Kollam and Konerinmaikondan meaning King without equal.
DEATH AND CIVIL WAR
Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya I died in 1308 CE after which a lot of confusion and anarchy prevailed in the empire. A civil war started between his sons Jatavarman Sundara Pandya III who was his legitimate and younger son and Jatavarman Veera Pandya II who was the illegitimate older son favoured by the king. These two half-brothers started a civil war in the country. Finally, Sundara Pandya fled to the court of Alauddin Khalji of the Khalji dynasty and requested Malik Kafur to invade Madurai. After the Muslim invasion, the Pandya dynasty declined swiftly.
