Reference
A History of South India
The classic survey of the south, from prehistory to the fall of Vijayanagara.
Pandya Empire (Second Empire)
Empire
Level 2
c. 1190 – 1345
Resurgent Pandyas who replaced the Cholas as the dominant Tamil power.
- Capital
- Madurai
- Region
- South
- Duration
- 155 years
- Main period
- Chola & Major Southern Kingdoms
Changing extent
Approximate extent over time (solid = latest, dashed = earlier).
At a glance
Move along the chart to read any year; click a ruler or event to open the map there.
Key events
| Year | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1292 | Marco Polo visits the Pandya coast | Kayal |
Personalities
📚 Recommended reading on the Pandya Empire (Second Empire)
Textbook
Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
The simplest possible start: short, illustrated and the base of countless exam questions.
Textbook
Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
Textbook
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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Contemporaries
Powers that coexisted with the Pandya Empire (Second Empire) for a significant part of its history. The bar shows when, within its own span.
Chola Empire ★
South · c. 848 CE – 1279
Overlap: 89 years
Polonnaruwa Kingdom ★
Sri Lanka · c. 1070 – 1232
Overlap: 42 years
Sultanate of the Maldives ★
Islands · c. 1153 – 1968
Overlap: 155 years
Malla Dynasty of Nepal ★
Himalaya · 1201 – 1769
Overlap: 144 years
Delhi Sultanate ★
North · 1206 – 1526
Overlap: 139 years
Ahom Kingdom ★
Northeast · 1228 – 1826
Overlap: 117 years
Guhilas of Medapata
West · c. 728 CE – 1303
Overlap: 113 years
Paramara Dynasty
Central · c. 800 CE – 1305
Overlap: 115 years
Chandela Dynasty
Central · c. 831 CE – 1315
Overlap: 125 years
Chaulukyas (Solankis) of Gujarat
West · c. 940 CE – 1244
Overlap: 54 years
Hoysala Empire
South · c. 1026 – 1343
Overlap: 153 years
Soomra Dynasty
Northwest · c. 1026 – 1351
Overlap: 155 years
Sena Dynasty
East · c. 1070 – 1230
Overlap: 40 years
Eastern Ganga Dynasty
East · c. 1078 – 1434
Overlap: 155 years
Khasa Malla Kingdom
Himalaya · c. 1100 – c. 1400
Overlap: 155 years
Zamorins of Calicut
South · c. 1124 – 1766
Overlap: 155 years
Kachwahas of Amber (Jaipur)
West · c. 1128 – 1949
Overlap: 155 years
Kakatiya Dynasty
Deccan · c. 1163 – 1323
Overlap: 133 years
Seuna (Yadava) Dynasty
Deccan · c. 1187 – 1317
Overlap: 127 years
Jaffna Kingdom
Sri Lanka · c. 1215 – 1619
Overlap: 130 years
Marwar (Rathore)
West · c. 1226 – 1949
Overlap: 119 years