Pandyas were one of the three major ruling dynasties of the Tamil Country during the Sangam period (between the 3rd century B.C. and 3rd century A.D.) It was in their court at Madurai that the great literary assemblies (Sangams) of the Tamil poets were held. Pandyas find mention in the edicts of the Mauyran Emperor Asoka and have been referred to in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The early history of the Pandyas is shrouded in obscurity. Palyagasalai Mudukudumi was the earliest known Pandyan ruler who has been described in the Sangam epics as a great conqueror, a performer of many sacrifices and a patron of poets. Aryappadaikadanda Nedunjhelian who, himself, was a poet of great merit, was the next important ruler of the dynasty.
The greatest Tamil epic Silappadigaram (the Jewelled Anklet) says that Nedunjelian had ordered, without trial, the execution of Kovalan (the hero of Silappadigaram), who was accused by a court jeweler of theft of the anklets of the queen of Nedunjelian. Later when the king came to realize Kovalam’s innocence, he was filled with remorse and died of shock on the throne itself. Kannagi, wife of Kovalam, unleashed a curse of destruction upon the city of Madurai. The city became engulfed in fire.
After Nedunjhelian, many later Pandayan rulers are mentioned by the Sangam literature. However, nothing substantial about them can be said with certainty.
The kings of the Pandyas had sent several embassies to the Roman emperors Augustus and Trajan. According to Greek geographer Strabo, an embassy sent by a Pandyan king was met by Augustus at Athens about 20 B.C.
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