Pandyan kingdom at its medieval peak

1270

The Pandya dynasty under Jatavarman Sundara I extended its control over much of southern India, reducing Cholas, Hoysalas, and Sinhala Sri Lanka to tributaries. His capital Madurai prospered as Marco Polo would soon note, calling the Pandya realm the richest and noblest country in the world. The pearl fishery of the Gulf of Mannar, controlled by the Pandyas, was famed across the Indian Ocean trading world.