Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi www.slideshare.net |
Kilji's military commander Malik Kafurbytwodesign.com |
What made Malik Kaufur come down farther south and plunder Srirangam and other temples now in Tamil region? In fact he had no plan to go farther down south. It was the then Pandya ruler of Madurai, engaged in a serious internal dispute over the successor to the throne made the worst blunder in his life that impacted Madurai kingdom very much.
Among the rulers of Pandya dynasty of Madurai, Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I (1250–1268) was a well known ruler and was a patron of arts and Dravidian architecture, paying attention to the regular maintenance and decoration of temples in the Tamil region. Using treasures amassed during wars, he donated them lavishly to various Shiva and Vishnu temples.
According to an article in 'The Hindu' dated 18th November, 2015 by L.Renganathan, Sadayavarman, Sundra Pandyan I showered the Srirangam temple with lots of gold, donated golden Garuda Vahanam, golden chariot, golden bed on the Adisesha for lord's comforts, gem beaded kondai (still in use at the temple), some other solid golden images, gold plated flag mast (Dwajasthambam). Further, he had several vimanas, including Pravakara vimanam gold plated. He made palm leaf manuscripts, recording the history of the temple, his exploits and preserved them for the posterity.
On the death of Kulasekara Pandyan I in 1308 CE, a conflict regarding successor to the throne arose among his sons. Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan III the legitimate & younger son and Jatavarman Veera Pandyan II, the illegitimate older son (who was favored by the king) fought each other for the throne. Sundara Pandyan sought the help of Delhi ruler. Malik Kaufer, who was on a raid to the Yadava kingdom of Devagiri. Malik Kaufur moved into this part and looted Madurai and Srirangam in 1311 CE
Map showing Malik Kafur expedition to S.India 1311centreright.in |
Ref:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khilji_dynasty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadayavarman_Sundara_Pandyan I
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-editorialfeatures/a-village-intertwined-with-history-of-srirangam/article4233379.ece
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khilji_dynasty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadayavarman_Sundara_Pandyan I
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-editorialfeatures/a-village-intertwined-with-history-of-srirangam/article4233379.ece