A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c13.30

c13.30

Varaguna I had still other successes to his credit. He led an expedition into Vēnād, South Travancore, attacked the strongly fortified port of Vilinam and brought the country under his rule. He also waged successful war against the Āy chieftain of the intervening mountainous country who had perhaps been friendly to the ruler of Vēnād. As a result of these wars, Pāndya sway extended well beyond Tiruchirāpalli into the Tanjore, Salem and Coimbatore districts, and all that lay south was under him. The expansion continued under his son and successor Śrīmāra Śrīvallabha (815-62) who invaded Ceylon in the reign of Sena I (831-51), ravaged the northern province and sacked the capital. Eventually Sena made terms with the conqueror and the Pāndya forces quitted the island. Śrīmāra had next to deal with a formidable combination formed against him again under the leadership of the Pallavas. We must now turn for a while to Pallava history.