A nation in South India, the Pandiyas. Their country comprised the greater part of the Madura and Tinnevelly, with its capital first at Kolkai and later at Madhurá.
Ceylon was inconstant communication with this country, both peaceful and otherwise. Marauding bands of Pandús often came to Ceylon and, having deposed the rightful sovereign, ruled over the country. Chief among these invasions were the following: (a) for fourteen years, when Vattagámani lay in hiding; (b) for twenty seven years, after the death of Mahánáma and until Dhátusena established his authority; (c) in the time of Sena I.; (d) after the death of Mahinda V. They also came with Mágha and Candabhánu, and, later, with Áryacakkavattin, who succeeded in carrying the Tooth Relic away to the Pándyan court; this was later rescued by Parakkamabáhu III. Sometimes the Singhalese kings would make reprisals by invading the Pándyan territory e.g., in the reign of Sena II., and, perhaps also, under Nissanka Malla. Parakkamabáhu I. sent an army under his general Lankápura to help the Pándyan king Parákrama Pándya against the Cola king, Kulasekhara. This, according to the Mahávamsa account, brought great joy to the Singhalese.
Mention is made in the chronicles of several marriages between members of the Pándyan and the Singhalese royal families. Vijaya himself took his consort from the Pándyan king at Madhurá, and later, Mittá, sister of Vijayabáhu I., married a Pándyan prince who became the grandfather of Parakkamabáhu 1. This led to the establishment of a "Pándyan party" in Ceylon which was not always loyal to the reigning monarch e.g., in the case of Vikkamabáhu III. Parakkama Pandu, who deposed Lílávati, evidently belonged to this party and probably also Vijaya III. The Pándyan kings claimed descent from the Lunar race.
Codrington, op. cit., 15. For other references, see under the names mentioned. Reference should also be made to the Index at the end of the Cúlavamsa, s.v. Pandú.