Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.640

v2.c31.640

2. Madhurā.—A city in South India, in the Madras Presidency, and now known as Madura. It is generally referred to as Dakkhiṇa-Madhurā, to distinguish it from (Uttara-)Madhura on the Yamunā. Dakkhiṇa-Madhurā was the second capital of the Pāṇḍyan kingdom,¹ and there was constant intercourse between this city and Ceylon. From Madhurā came the consort of Vijaya, first king of Ceylon, and she was accompanied by many maidens of various families who settled in Ceylon.² Sena II. sent an army to pillage Madhurā, and set upon the throne a Paṇḍu prince who had begged for his support.³ Later, Madhurā was attacked by Kulasekhara, and its king, Parakkama, sought the assistance of Parakkamabāhu I. of Ceylon. The latter sent an army under his general Laṅkāpura, but in the meantime the Pāṇḍyan king had been slain and his capital taken. The Sinhalese army, however, landed on the opposite coast and carried on a war against the Coḷas, and built a fortress near Rāmnād, which they called Parakkamapura. They managed to defeat Kulasekhara and restore the crown of Madhurā to the Pāṇḍyan king's son, Vira-Paṇḍu. The captives taken by the army were sent to Ceylon.⁴