Textbook
Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
The simplest possible start: short, illustrated and the base of countless exam questions.
Pandya Kingdom (First Empire)
Kingdom
Level 2
c. 590 CE – c. 920 CE
Revived Pandya power after the Kalabhras, rival of the Pallavas.
- Capital
- Madurai
- Region
- South
- Duration
- 330 years
- Main period
- Post-Gupta / Early Medieval
Approximate extent.
Personalities
📚 Recommended reading on the Pandya Kingdom (First Empire)
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Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
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An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (Class 11)
The standard base for art and architecture questions — stupas, temples and sculpture.
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History of Medieval India
The go-to single volume on the Sultanate, Mughals and regional kingdoms.
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Contemporaries
Powers that coexisted with the Pandya Kingdom (First Empire) for a significant part of its history. The bar shows when, within its own span.
Anuradhapura Kingdom ★
Sri Lanka · c. 437 BCE – c. 1017
Overlap: 330 years
Pallava Dynasty ★
South · c. 275 CE – c. 897 CE
Overlap: 307 years
Pushyabhuti (Vardhana) Dynasty ★
North · c. 500 CE – c. 647 CE
Overlap: 57 years
Chalukyas of Badami ★
Deccan · c. 543 CE – c. 753 CE
Overlap: 163 years
Chahamanas (Chauhans) of Shakambhari ★
West · c. 650 CE – c. 1194
Overlap: 270 years
Gurjara-Pratihara Empire ★
North · c. 730 CE – c. 1036
Overlap: 190 years
Pala Empire ★
East · c. 750 CE – c. 1161
Overlap: 170 years
Rashtrakuta Empire ★
Deccan · c. 753 CE – c. 982 CE
Overlap: 167 years
Chola Empire ★
South · c. 848 CE – 1279
Overlap: 72 years
Western Ganga Dynasty
South · c. 350 CE – c. 1000
Overlap: 330 years
Kamarupa
Northeast · c. 350 CE – c. 1140
Overlap: 330 years
Licchavi Kingdom of Nepal
Himalaya · c. 400 CE – c. 750 CE
Overlap: 160 years
Maitraka Dynasty
West · c. 475 CE – c. 776 CE
Overlap: 186 years
Rai Dynasty of Sindh
Northwest · c. 489 CE – c. 632 CE
Overlap: 42 years
Later Guptas of Magadha
East · c. 490 CE – c. 750 CE
Overlap: 160 years
Gauda Kingdom (Shashanka)
East · c. 590 CE – c. 626 CE
Overlap: 36 years
Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi
Deccan · c. 624 CE – c. 1075
Overlap: 296 years
Karkota Dynasty of Kashmir
North · c. 625 CE – c. 855 CE
Overlap: 230 years
Brahmin Dynasty of Sindh (Chach)
Northwest · c. 632 CE – c. 712 CE
Overlap: 80 years
Turk Shahis
Northwest · c. 665 CE – c. 822 CE
Overlap: 157 years
Kalachuris of Tripuri
Central · c. 675 CE – 1212
Overlap: 245 years
Umayyad Caliphate — Sindh province
Northwest · c. 712 CE – c. 750 CE
Overlap: 38 years
Guhilas of Medapata
West · c. 728 CE – 1303
Overlap: 192 years
Tomaras of Delhi
North · c. 736 CE – c. 1152
Overlap: 184 years
Abbasid Caliphate — Sindh province
Northwest · c. 750 CE – c. 854 CE
Overlap: 104 years
Thakuri Kingdom of Nepal
Himalaya · c. 750 CE – 1200
Overlap: 170 years
Chera Perumals of Makotai
South · c. 800 CE – c. 1124
Overlap: 120 years
Paramara Dynasty
Central · c. 800 CE – 1305
Overlap: 120 years
Hindu Shahis
Northwest · c. 822 CE – c. 1026
Overlap: 98 years
Chandela Dynasty
Central · c. 831 CE – 1315
Overlap: 89 years
Habbarid Emirate
Northwest · c. 854 CE – c. 1011
Overlap: 66 years
Utpala Dynasty of Kashmir
North · c. 855 CE – c. 1003
Overlap: 65 years