The Pandyan Kingdom from the Earliest Times to the Sixteenth Century c4: Preface

The Pāṇḍyan Kingdom from the Earliest Times to the Sixteenth Century c4

Language: English

Preface

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THIS book is an amplification, with such revision as has been found necessary, of lectures delivered by me at the University of Madras in 1926.

Pāndyan antiquities have, somehow, failed to interest scholars as much as the history of the Pallavas and the Cholas. The relative seclusion of the country, and the fact that the Pāndyas had at no stage any great influence on the main course of Indian history, may account for this comparative neglect. A complete view of the story of South India, however, cannot be obtained until the history of the Pāndyas is fully worked out.

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Though the last twenty or thirty years have been marked by the discovery of much new material for the reconstruction of Pāndyan history, we are still by no means sufficiently equipped to attempt a full and satisfactory account of the Pāndyan Kingdom. This work makes no claim to be considered such. It aims, rather, at a preliminary survey of the present state of our knowledge on the subject, suggesting tentative reconstructions wherever possible, and furnishing an outline to be filled in by further study and research. Much attention has necessarily been devoted to chronology and political history; society, religion and government have been, however, briefly discussed in relation to each section of the study.

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Much work yet remains to be done before the history of the Pāndyas can be fully understood. The internal chronology of the Śangam Age, the history of about two centuries before the Pāndya restoration under Kadungōn and the transition from the conditions of the Śangam Age to those of the First Empire, the detailed history of

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The Kings of the Pāndya line in the Chola-Pāndya period, and the dynastic relations of the Kings of the Second Empire, are some of the larger problems that await solution. Many small questions relative to the wars and campaigns have to be settled before the changes in the political geography of South India can be traced with accuracy. The Kongu chieftains with Pāndya names and the Pāndyas of Uccangi present other problems of considerable interest and no less difficulty. Only recently has the publication of the texts of inscriptions been started, and a careful study of these is necessary for a complete understanding of the social life of the country, at least under the Second Empire.

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Many friends have helped me in various ways in the preparation of this book, and to them all I take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude. Sir T. Desikachari very kindly allowed the use of his library and of the list of Pudukottah inscriptions and their texts (unpublished). Messrs. K. Swaminathan, B.A. (Oxon.), V. Saranatha Aiyangar, M.A., and C. S. Srinivasachari, M.A., have gone through the book at various stages and offered useful suggestions. Mr. S. R. Balasubramania Aiyar, B.A., L.T., read the proofs, verified the references, and offered helpful criticism; he also assisted me in preparing the index. Pandit M. Raghava Aiyangar kindly discussed with me his views on the Kalabhras and some other matters. A special word of thanks is due to Rao Bahadur Dr. S. Krishnaswami Aiyangar, University Professor of Indian History, for much valuable advice and for the kind interest he has evinced in the publication.

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NATIONAL COLLEGE, TRICHINOPOLY. June 10, 1929. K. A. N.