A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c15.14

c15.14

Sundara Pāndya proceeded with a small force against the Chera king Viraravi Udaya Mārtāndavarman, and destroyed him and his forces after ravaging the Malainādu. He compelled the warlike Chola Rājendra to acknowledge his suzerainty and pay him tribute. He invaded Ceylon and exacted a vast quantity of pearls and many elephants from its ruler. He then attacked the Hoysalas in the region of the Kaveri and captured the fortress of Kannanūr Koppam. Several Hoysala generals were killed, including the brave Singana, while numerous elephants and horses were captured together with a large amount of treasure and a number of women. Sundara only stopped fighting when Someśvara withdrew into the plateau; but shortly afterwards Someśvara renewed the war in which he was to meet his death at Sundara Pāndya's hands (1262). Sundara then attacked the rich city fortress of Śendamangalam and fought several engagements ‘which struck terror into the heart of the Kādava’ (Kōpperunjinga). Having thus become master of his territory, forces and treasure, Sundara restored him to the rulership of his land and left for Chidambaram where he worshipped Natarāja before proceeding to Śrīrangam. ‘Here he wore the garland of victory, performed many tulābhāras, which pleased the eyes and hearts of all spectators and evoked blessings from learned poets’; and in that temple which he roofed with gold he sat upon a splendid throne with his queen, wearing a golden crown and ‘emulating the morning sun rising on the top of the mountain’.