> Thanjavur Brahma Kuttam was a temple built by Pallavas, co-exited > with Rajarajeswaram and worshipped by Rajaraja and Kundavai also. > These temples were ruined during Mallikapur invasion and resurrected in the 16th Century by Pachiappa naicker.
Talking of Mallik Kafur...I just read that Sundara Pandya had to *invoke* the aid of Mallik Kafur, when he wanted overthrow Vira Pandya, another contender to the throne. (around 1310 AD).
*Invoke*??!!
Somehow, I'd gathered the impression that Mallik Kafur simply forced his way into TN, rather than being invited by one of our own kings. This is a new one, as far as I'm concerned.
Anyone know anything on this? Mr.SB, G? What do you think?
There were lot of golden idols - golden flowers donated to small temples. It also appears that certain Stupis - may be Vimanams also made of Gold. Chidambaram - Srirangam & Madurai come under this category. Malik Kafur (I read History in Tamil medium in my village school - hence spelling mistake - thanks for correction) invasion was aimed at looting these golds and several tons of precious stones..
Invitation of a King or lack of it was only an excuse.
And this 4th Jan matter, I am not aware of any date or venue. If there is a chat orgainised, I thought, we should have a couple of authorities on the subjects and with proper preparations.
It is recorded as one of the most unfortunate incidents in TN history.
The pandiyas always ruled in groups - all brothers as well as relatives use to rule different parts of the region. This has always been the case - the main one remaining in madurai. This constantly resulted in lot of internal wars. Probably this continuously weakened the empire as well. One such situation occured towards the tail end of later pandiya period (around 14 century). Not knowing what he was really doing, one of the brothers(sundara pandiya) who wanted to take over the empire sought the aid of delhi sultanate. Malik kafur was already eying south and was moving towords it. May be he could have been stopped had there been a powerful ruler. When he saw opportunity in this confusion, he gained confidance and moved further south.
Soon the whole pandiya group was wiped away. Malik kafur went away with huge booty looted from temples and his chiefs took over the madurai(AD 1311). Lack of leadership, spirit and unity among the locals were to their greatest advantage.
Total destruction of peace in the community started with this invation and for the next one century or so the whole social fabric of TN was completely torn apart. Almost all temples had to close down and people had to bury the idols. Even now the bronze idols which are discovered here and there were buried only in those times. No public worship could be performed. Famous temples like madurai and srirangam came under heavy destruction. (Many portions of the madurai temple we see today are not really ancient structures but renovated ones)
Terror reigned everywhere and people saw cruelty beyond words can express.The last king to resist islamic invaders was Veera vallala. A bitter battle ensued in Kannapuram (today's samayapuram).He was defeated and his corpse was filled with hay and hung in front of the madurai gates.
A whole generation lost the values of their religion and culture. It was at a very late stage that vijayanagar ruler kambana defeated this terror regime and bought madurai under his control. But much was lost - not only in terms of material wealth, but spiritual, cultural values as well.
Sri.Venugopalan's 2 books - Thiruvarangan Ula (2 parts) and Madura Vijayam (2 parts) records this bloody history with amazing accuracy and narration. Though it records probably the worst phase of TN history, it is a must read for people interested in knowing their past.
The MA history book on TN history from Madras university simply skips this period of unspeakable turmoil !
>>>>Not knowing what he was > really doing, one > of the brothers(sundara pandiya) who wanted to take > over the empire > sought the aid of delhi sultanate. >>>>>>
do you mean the same sundara pandian based on whom the MGR starrer "maduraiyay meetta sundara pandian" was made??(this happens to be MGR's last film too...
Whenever I was mentioning of Shree Vaishnavashree Krishnamacharyar, I was thinking of Thiruvaranganula. Srirangam temple is charging Rs. 1000 for Vaikunda Ekadasi Ticket. He has filed a Public litigation.There are certain departures from the original pattern of sevas. He has taken up the matter to the Court. On his table you can always find Vol 24 : SI Inscriptions : Pertaining to Srirangam.
Recently when I visited Thirupathy, I saw the Kilimandapam where Uthsavar Rangar was placed during the invasion of Malik kafur. Again reminded of Sri Venugopalan - of course Thiruvarangan ula. Excellent work. Kannanur is Samayapuram. Still mass grave yards are found there.
> do you mean the same sundara pandian based on whom the > MGR starrer "maduraiyay meetta sundara pandian" was > made??(this happens to be MGR's last film too...
No Dhiwakar. This was another guy. I think MGR film should have been based on Maravarman sundara pandiya (I've not seen this movie, anyway!) - but the one we are talking about is another guy. This guy is a hearless fellow who kills his own father for the sake of empire.
gokul, Thanks and keep the good work going..... will be reading the intersting topical mails of sb and you.
but tell me how many "Sundara pandians" were there and their period of rule... and why is that the Cholas dominated most of the Tamilnadu's history and the Pallavas even though have a great period of rule and one of the best cities in india( Nagareshu Kanchi - Bharavi)
gokul, Thanks and keep the good work going..... will be reading the intersting topical mails of sb and you.
but tell me how many "Sundara pandians" were there and their period of rule... and why is that the Cholas dominated most of the Tamilnadu's history and the Pallavas even though have a great period of rule and one of the best cities in india( Nagareshu Kanchi - Bharavi)
> but tell me how many "Sundara pandians" were there and > their period of rule...
Can't remember off my head- quite a number of them. And sundara pandiya is just a sub title - Maravarman sundara pandiyan, Jatavarman sundara pandiyan etc..
> and why is that the Cholas > dominated most of the Tamilnadu's history and the > Pallavas even though have a great period of rule and > one of the best cities in india( Nagareshu Kanchi - > Bharavi)
Not an easy question to answer as there are many reasons. Pallavas were great in their own might - but they had to begin with a clean slate.Undoubtedly they were the pioneers in things like temple architecture. Cholas built on top of what was available from pallavas. But the leadership and organizational skills of cholas - particularly Aditya I, Parantaka and Rajaraja the great/ Rajendra....no comparison !
but why in the moovendar list Pallavas are left out.. though the chera's ruled kerala they were included but the pallavas who had a huge empire upto Krishna river were left out.. why is that so? any specific reason or because of any particular lineage?
okay.. but after reading the mails iam confused about the names of the chola kings and periods and it is difficult to folow the mails though they are very interesing..
if somebody could mail us the names of the chola kings along with their approximate period of ruling it would be helpful..
also include who is the son of who and other related details.. it would be helpful for laymen like us but interestd in knowing the history..
okay.. but after reading the mails iam confused about the names of the chola kings and periods and it is difficult to folow the mails though they are very interesing..
if somebody could mail us the names of the chola kings along with their approximate period of ruling it would be helpful..
also include who is the son of who and other related details.. it would be helpful for laymen like us but interestd in knowing the history..
okay.. but after reading the mails iam confused about the names of the chola kings and periods and it is difficult to folow the mails though they are very interesing..
if somebody could mail us the names of the chola kings along with their approximate period of ruling it would be helpful..
also include who is the son of who and other related details.. it would be helpful for laymen like us but interestd in knowing the history..