South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c9.64

c9.64

But there is one point worth remarking in Marco Polo's account, and that is that the port of Kāyal was under 'Asciar' of Marsden, Ashar of Yule, in both cases alike a modification of Śēkharar, omitting the first part of the word, Kulaśēkhara. He is also described as ruling from Madura, and we have already noticed above he had his royal residence in Jayangonda-Śolapuram. These taken in combination would warrant the inference that he was the principal monarch, the eldest of the five brothers, as some of our authorities mention, while there were other Pāndyas, members of the royal family, and, perhaps related even as brothers in a number of cases, subordinate to his authority, though liable to be referred to as rulers of their respective territory by foreigners visiting their shores.