History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v1.c19.s12.1

v1.c19.s12.1

If the native authorities consulted by the late Professor Wilson in compiling his Historical Sketch of the Kingdom of Pândya could be relied upon, it would seem that the foundation of the dynasty ought to be placed some centuries before the Christian Era.³ Even, however, if this is disputed, the fact of the southern part of the Peninsula being described as the "Regio Pandionis" by classical authorities, is sufficient to prove that a kingdom bearing that name did exist there in the early centuries of the Christian Era. Their first capital, however, seems to have been Korkai, near Cape Comorin.⁴ The story of Kulasekhara founding the dynasty, and the fabulous incidents with which the tale is adorned, is one of the favourite legends of the south, and is abundantly illustrated in sculptures of Tirumalai Nâyyak’s chaultri and in other buildings of the capital.