There is not much known about the early history of the Pandyas. Divergent views have been expressed regarding the origin of the Pandyas. According to one traditions, Pandyas were connected with the Pandyas of Northern India. According to some scholars, the three brothers of Konkai established the kingdoms of Pandya, Chola and Cheda, However, it is certain that Pandya kingdom was one of the ancient kingdoms.

The power of the Pandyas increased during the reign of Maravarman and his successors. In the meantime, the power of the Cholas and Keralas declined. It appears that Marvarman successors Rajasimha and Varguna I had fought against Pallamall Nandivarman. After defeating him they occupied Kungadesa or the modern Coimbatore.

Sirvallabha
Nedunjayan Varaguna I was succeeded by his son Srimara Vallabha. He defeated the king of Ceylon. It is stated that he had defeated a confederation of the Pallavas, Cholas, Gangas and other kings at a place called Kudamukku. Thereafter, the struggle between the Pallavas and Pandyas continued. Near about 880 A. D. Pallava king Aparajitavarman defeated the Pandya king with the help Cholas and Gangas. This defeat checked the progress of the Pandyas and Cholas are into prominence. From 920 A. D. up to the end of the 12th century, Pandyas ruled only as Samantas of the Cholas. The Pandyan king made several attempts from time to time to make themselves independent, but could not succeed. The power of the Cholas started declining during the reign of Cholas king Rajadhiraja II. At that time the Pandyas received the help of the king of Ceylon. This gave out another blow to power of the Cholas. Chola king Kulottunga II drove the Ceylon king away from Madura and made Pandya king Kulashekhar`s son Vikrama as the king. Since this time the power of the Pandyas again increased and the power of the Cholas started delincing. Jatavarman Kulashekhar ruled in 1190 A. D. Thus, for about a century Pandyas ruled over Dravida province.

Maravarman Sundar Pandya I
The power of the Cholas again increased during the reign of the successor of Jatavarman. But Sundar Pandya again defeated the Cholas and burnt the cities of Tanjore and Udaipur. Chola king Rajaraja III had to submit to the Pandyas and became a Samanta of the Pandyas. He once again revolted against the Pandya king but was again defeated. It is said that this time Chola king Rajaraja was helped by the Hoyasala king Narsimha II.

Jatavarman Sandar Pandya
Jatavarman Sundra Pandya came to the throne of Pandya kingdom in 1251 A. D. He was a powerful king of his dynasty. After defeating the Cholas, he brought Kanchi under his control of his authority. He also helped Chera, Konga and Ceylon kingdoms to become independent. After conquering Hoyasala king Someshwara, he occupied fort of Koppama and drove away the Hoyasala king. He also defeated Kayatiya king Ganapati and Pallava king. He extended his empire up to Kadappa and Nellore.

One of the special features of his reign was that other members of his family also called themselves as kings. Thus, Marvarman was also a king. But in fact all these were the Samantas of king Jatavarman. Sundar Jatavarman was a very generous and charitable man. He donated a lot of money to the temples and performed many yajanas as well.

Jatavarman Sundar Pandya up to 1271 A. D.

Maravarman Kulasekhara
After the death of Jatavarman Sundar Pandya, Maravarman succeeded him as a king. He fought many wars and conquered Malaynadu i.e. Travancore, Simhala or Ceylon etc. Maravarman Kulasekhara sent his minister Arya Chakravarti to attack Ceylon at the time when there was a famine in that island. Arya Chakarvarti conquered the fort of Subhagiri and plundered a lot of money for its ruler. For about 20 years, Ceylon remained under the control of the Pandya kings. During the conquest of Ceylon, the death of Lord Buddha were also brought from Ceylon but later on recovered on request from Pandya king by Ceylon king, Parakarmabahu.

During the reign of Maravarman himself, there was a terrible war of succession in between his legitimate son Sundara and illegitimate son Vir Pandya. Maravarman was killed in this war of succession and Sundara approached Allauddin Khilzi for his help. Some historians, however, disagree with this. However, it is certain that seeing the revolt of the Pandyas, Allauddin`s general, Malika Kafur, took advantage of the situation and by attacking Madura, plundered a lot of money and carried it away with him. Both the Pandya brothers were still fighting. After some days, Allauddin again sent his general, Khusuru Khan who attacked Madura and put an end to the rule of Pandya dynasty. When the power of the Sultans of Delhi declined, Muslim ruler of the Pandya country declared himself as an independent ruler. However, he was soon defeated by Hindu king of Vijayanagar, who established his rule in the Pandya country.