Pandyan Civil War (1169-1177)

Precipitated by rival claims of succession, a civil war occurred in the Pandya kingdom from 1169 to 1177 between Parakrama Pandya and his son Vira Pandya with Kulasekhara. The war, gradually, spread over the rest of South India when eager to increase their influence in the Pandya kingdom, the Chola Emperor Rajadhiraja Chola II and Parakramabahu I of Sri Lanka entered the fray and took opposite sides in the conflict.

Causes

According to the Mahavamsa, in about 1169, Kulasekhara besieged Madurai forcing the Pandyan king Parakrama Pandya to appeal to the Sri Lankan king Parakramabahu I for help. But before Parakramabahu I's army could reach Madurai, Parakrama Pandya had been killed and Kulasekhara had ascended the throne.

Events

Parakramabahu I instructed his general Lankapura to fight on behalf of Parakrama Pandya's son Vira Pandya and install him on the Madurai throne. Lankapura landed at Ramesvaram and plundered the temple's treasury before taking position at a nearby place called Kundukala. Sources claim that prisoners who fell into the hands of Lankapura were either killed or enslaved.

Kulasekhara Pandya put up a fierce resistance and appealed to the Chola Emperor Rajadhiraja II for help. Rajadhiraja responded by sending a powerful force led by Pallavarayar. The Chola army met the Sri Lankan forces in a couple of pitched battles at Kilenilaya (identified with the modern-day Kilnilai) and Ponnamaravathi but lost both of them. Kulasekhara fled Madurai and Vira Pandya was installed on the throne. Lankapura now took the battle into Chola territory and invaded Tondi and Pasi.

Rajadhiraja II sent his commander Thiruchitrambalamudaiyan Perumanambi along with a strong army with specific instructions`to kill Lankapura and other commanders of the Sri Lankan army and hang their heads from the gates of the palace of Madurai. Perumanambi conquered the Pandyan kingdom and after successfully accomplishing the task set by Rajadhiraja II he returned to the Chola country. Kulasekhara was installed as Pandyan king with Chola protection.

Following rumours that Parakramabahu was preparing for another invasion of the Chola kingdom, Rajadhiraja II sent an army commanded by Annan Pallavarayan to launch a pre-emptive strike. Annan Pallavarayan invaded Sri Lanka and destroyed Parakramabahu's preparations for war. The Cholas also provided logistical support to Sri Vallabha, nephew of Parakramabahu and a rival claimant to the Sri Lankan throne. Faced with increasing pressure, Parakramabahu did a volte-face and sent costly gifts to Kulasekhara offering support in return for help in invading the Chola kingdom. Kulaeskhara invaded the Chola kingdom but after initial successes, was defeated and driven out. Chola forces then successfully invaded the Pandya kingdom and installed the deposed Vira Pandya on the throne.

References

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