A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c16.12

c16.12

The civil war between Vira Pāndya and Sundara Pāndya continued after Malik Kafur’s return (1311). Sundara fared so badly in the struggle that at first he sought Muslim aid which was given only in very small measure and availed him little. The ruler of south Travancore, Ravivarman Kulaśekhara, who professed allegiance to Sundara till about 1312, took advantage of the confusion to invade the Pāndya country and marched as far north as Kāñchipuram. Vira Pāndya seems to have joined him, and Sundara Pāndya appealed to the Kākatiya ruler Pratāparudra II for aid. A large army was sent in his support in 1317, under the leadership of Muppidi Nāyaka, the governor of Nellore, who defeated Ravivarman Kulaśekhara and Vira Pāndya, compelled the former to withdraw into his own kingdom, and installed Sundara Pāndya on the throne at Viradhavalapattanam (Bir Dhūl). Then came Khusrau's invasion. The Pāndya followed his usual policy of evading battle by evacuating his capital, taking his family and all his wealth with him. A rich Muslim merchant who stayed behind hoping his religion would protect him was robbed and insulted by Khusrau, and finally committed suicide. Nevertheless, Khusrau's expedition was not a success. Rains hampered his movements; and, what is more, he himself seems to have contemplated rebellion. When this was discovered and disapproved of by his followers, he had to submit to being carried back in fetters to Delhi.