South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c8.6.3

c8.6.3

He took the place and the two ports in the vicinity of Toṇḍi and Pāśa (Pāśipaṭṭaṇa, as it is now called), marched further forwards to Kurundaṅguḍi first, and thence to Tiruvēkambama, probably the place now called Tiruvēganpaṭṭu. As the chieftain, apparently of that locality, Māḷava Chakravarti, would not submit and retired to a place called Śemponmāri (on the borders of the Pudukoṭṭa State) in the Tiruppattūr Taluk, the Ceylon general advanced upon the place. The place was considered a great stronghold and the Cholas are said to have failed to take the place after a two years' siege. The Ceylonese are said to have taken it in less than half a day.¹ The Ceylonese in their turn were besieged in the fortress and the siege of the famous stronghold was raised by the heroic deeds of Laṅkāpura and his lieutenants. Apart from this fortress the Pāṇḍyan territory up to the boundary of the Chola country came under the control of the Ceylonese. What is perhaps of greater importance the Vaiśyas (Vessas) and the Muhammadans (Yavanas) of this locality brought presents to him. He restored Śemponmāri however to Māḷava Cakravarti, and retired to Aṇivaḷakki, by way of Tiruvēgambama and Kurundanguḍi. While here he heard that another Tamil chieftain had taken Śiriyavala (Śiruvayal) having defeated Māḷava Cakravarti, whose head-quarters of Śemponmāri also fell into his hands.