prior to the eleventh century is shrouded in obscurity. it will be useful to take for consideration the history of the Pandya kings from the earliest times up to A.D. 950.
The earliest available information about the Pandya kings is that which is contained in the Pattuppattu, the Agananuru and the Purananuru. From the various names of Pandyas which occur in these poems Mr. Kanakasabhai has constructed the following genealogical table :—Nedum Seliyan I (50-75)—Verri Vel Seliyan (75-90)— Nedum Seliyan II (90-128)-Ugra Peruvaludi (128-140)-Nanmaran (140-150). The exact relationship of these kings and the data on which this table is based are not clearly understood. At any rate Ugra Peruvaludi in whose reign Tiruvalluvar and Auvai flourished could not have succeeded Nedum Seliyan II who won the battle of Talai-Alankanan. Further, the dates assigned to these kings seem to be half-a-century too early. His table has, therefore, been slightly modified and improved as given below. It is only tentative and must remain so until epigraphy discloses new facts some day or other :—(1) Vadimbalamba Vinra Pandya, B. C. 450—(2) Nilandaru Tiruvir Pandya, B. C. 350—(3) Palsalai Mudukudumi Peruvaludi, B. C. 25—(4) Ugra Peru Valudi A. D. 125—(5) Nedum Selivan I, A. D. 150—(6) Verrivel or Ilam Seliyan, A. D. 175—(7) Nedum Seliyan II, A. D. 200—(8) Nanmaran I, A. D. 225—(9) Maran Valudi, A. D. 250—(10) Nanmaran II, A. D, 275—(11) Peruvaludi, A. D. 300. The name of the first king means 'he who survived the deluge'. According to the Mahawanso a tidal wave from the Indian ocean washed off the southern shores about B.C. 450. The above may be a reference to this. In the reign of the second Pandya
