The Pandya Kingdom was first mentioned by Megasthenese who said that their kingdom was famous for pearls. They occupied the region of the modern districts of Tirunelveli, Ramnad and Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Madurai was their capital, situated on the bank of river Vagai. The word Pandya is derived from the Tamil word, 'Pandi' which means the 'bull', and considered a symbol of masculinity, strength and valour by the early Tamils. Here, we are giving the list of Pandya Rulers and their contributions for general awareness.
List of Pandya Rulers and their contributions
| Name Rulers | Reign (AD) | Contribution (s) |
| Pudappandiyan | NA | NA |
| Mudukudumi Paruvaludhi | NA | NA |
| Nedunjeliyan I | 180 | 1. He was great Pandya King. His name is also mentioned in Silappadikaram. 2. He was a contemporary of the Chera king Senguttuvan. |
| Nedunjeliyan II | 210 | 1. He defeated a confederacy of the Cholas and Cheras at Talaiyalanganam near Tiruvarur and conquered most of the Tamil region. 2. His deeds have been described in detail in the Maduraikkanci. |
| Nan Maran | NA | NA |
| Nedunjeliyan III | NA | NA |
| Maran Valudi | NA | NA |
| Kadalan valuthi | NA | NA |
| Musiri Mutriya Cheliyan | NA | NA |
| Ukkirap Peruvaludi | NA | NA |
| Kadungon | 590-620 | 1. Took the title of 'Pandyadhiraja'. 2. He is known for ending the Kalabhra rule, marking the beginning of a new era in the Tamil speaking region. |
| Maravarman Avani Culamani | 620–640 | 1. He took the title of Maravarman. 2. A Pandyan inscrpition praises Avani Sulamani using conventional phrases, claiming that he became the sole owner of the earth and married the goddess of prosperity. |
| Jayantavarman | 640-670 | 1. He is also known as Seliyan Sendan. |
| Arikesari Maravarman | 670–710 | 1. He is also known as Arikesari Parankusa. 2. He performed the Hiranyagarbha and Tulabhara rituals. |
| Kochadaiyan Ranadhiran | 710–735 | 1. He asserted Pandya's superiority over the Cheras and Cholas in the city of Mangalapuram, the modern day Mangalore. |
| Maravarman Rajasimha I | 735–765 | 1. He was the son and successor of Kochadaiyan Ranadhiran. |
| Jatila Parantaka | 765–815 | NA |
| Rasasingan II | 790–800 | NA |
| Varagunan I | 800–830 | NA |
| Srimara Srivallabha | 815–862 | 1. He constructed many tanks, canals and water reservoir (For example- Sri Vallabha Pereri- big lake) |
| Varagunavarman II | 862–880 | 1. He was the contemporary of the great Saivite saint and author Manikavasagar who wrote the epoch making book Tiruvasagam. |
| Parantaka Viranarayana | 880–900 | NA |
| Maravarman Rajasimha III | 900–920 | 1. He was the last Pandya king. 2. He opposed the Chola king of Thanjavur at Kodumbalur and plundered the Chera capital at Vanchi in Kongu Nadu. 3. After the successive defeats, he fled to Ceylon but was not get shelter then he went to Kerala, as he himself had descended in part from a Chera king where he spent the rest of his days keeping a low profile. |
The Pandya Kingdom, as per the traditions extended from the Podukottai district to Kanyakumari in south and Achankovil River in Kerala (west) to River Vegai (Madura) in East. The kingdom was ordinarily divided into 5 principalities which were known as “Five Pandyas“. In the above list of Pandya Rulers and their contributions will enhance the general knowledge of the readers.
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