The siege of Madurai in 862 was a pivotal moment in the history of the Pandya Empire, with differing accounts regarding its outcome.This was a part of Sena II's retaliatory campaign against the devastation caused by Pandya incursions during his predecessor. According to Mahavamsa, the invasion ended in a victory for the Anuradhapura king, with the death of Srivallabha and the coronation of prince Varaguna II by general Kutthaka.According to the Pandyan side of the evidence makes the ruling king Srimara Srivallabha successful in repelling a Maya Pandya and Ceylon forces thus keeping his throne to himself at the end of the struggle.[1] But the Pandya side of evidence seems unreliable as we find Srimara Srivallabha dead at the end of the conflict.
As the 9th century progressed, Pandyas were drawn into war with the neighbouring Pallavas and Cholas, while Rashtrakuta invasions from the north also had to be kept in check. The Cholas, who had made an alliance with the Hoysalas and Eastern Ganga, constantly assaulted Pandyan territories and weakened their influence north of the Kaveri river. Hence, it can be suggested that earlier Pandya invasions into northern coasts of Sri Lanka was not intended for conquest, but to gather loot and supplies to continue funding their wars in the North. However, by the time of king Sena I of Anuradhapura, Pandya incursions into Rajarata territory had increased in scale, causing much devastation, and an invasion at the time of Sena I had sacked Anuradhapura itself. Sena was eventually forced to make terms with the Pandyas and the Tamil forces were withdrawn from Sri Lanka.[2] Sena would die having unable to bear the suffering induced on his people by the devastation.[citation needed]It was his successor Sena II who made preparations to pillage and pacify his northern rival as an act of revenge.
Invasion of Pandya
By 862, Sena II had formed a powerful naval fleet and a grand coalition, which set upon the Pandyan lands. While Srimara Srivallabha was handling a Pallava invasion from the North the Sinhalese forces landed on the Southern coasts of the Pandyan kingdom.[3] A Tamil rebel leader named, Varagunavarman II allied himself with the invading Sinhalese forces of Sena II allied. The invading forces advanced upon the now weakly defended capital city of Madurai and besieged it. This forced Srimara Srivallabha and his forces to retreat back to South. Engaging with the invading Sinhalese forces the Pandyan king Srimara Srivallabha however died in warfare.[4] After a brief siege the Sinhalese forces led by General Kutthaka captured Madurai and ransacked the city. Sena II requested the commander of the expeditionaries, Kutthaka, to look for treasures and bring back all the treasures of Anuradhapura taken by the Srimara Srīvallabha's forces.
Varagunavarman II was crowned as king of Pandya by Kutthaka. After touring the Pandya country, Kutthaka returned to Anuradhapura with the treasure of Madurai.[5]
References
↑ Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1929) The Pandyan Kingdom. London, Luzac and Company. 71.
↑ Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1929) The Pandyan Kingdom. London, Luzac and Company. 71.
↑The Evolution of an Ethnic Identity: The Tamils in Sri Lanka C. 300 BCE to C. 1200 CE. p. 189
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