The Pandya kingdom was founded by Kodungo He ruled from c. AD 590 to 620. He fought again the Kalabhras about the same time as Simhavishn and resuscitated the Pandyan power. His son and successor was Maravarman Avanishulamani (AD 629-45).

The third ruler in the line, Sendan or Jayantavarman (AD 645-70) bore the title Vanavar which implied a victory against the Chera contemporary.

His son and successor was Arikesari Maravarman or Arikesari Parankusha. He ruled from AD 670 to 710. He was most probably the Kun Pandya and Ninrasir-nedumaran of legend, the contemporary of Nansambandar who, at the instance of queen Mangaiyarkkarasi, a Chola princess, and minister Kulachchirai, weaned the Pandya ruler from Jainism and converted him into Shaivism he consblidated the strength of the rising kingdom by conquering the people and rulers of the small principalities.

Arikesari was succeeded by his son Kochchadaiyan who had the title Ranadheer. He ruled from AD 710 to 735. He assumed many other titles viz., Vanavana and Sembiyam or Sholan. He is also called Madura-Karunatakan, the sweet Karnataka and Kongar-Komaii, lord of the Kongu people.

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The son and successor of Kochchadaiyan Ranadheera was Maravarman Rajasimha I (AD 735-65). He is known as Pallava-bhanjana and defeated Pallavamalla. He also defeated the Kongus and Malakongam. Malava chieftain also surrendered to him. He then defeated the combined army of the Ganga ruler Shripurusha and Chalukya Kirtivarman II at the battle of Venbai. Consequently the Ganga feudatory had to marry his daughter with the Pandya prince Jatila Parantaka. Rajasimha I is said to have performed many gosahasras, hiranyagarbhas and tulabharas. He is also reported to have renovated Kudal, Vanji and Koli.

Rajasimha I was succeeded by his son Jatila Parantaka about AD 765. Jatila had also the name Varuguna and the titles Maranjadaiyan and Nedunjadaiyan. He ruled till AD 815. He won a victory against Nandivarman Pallavamalla at Pennagadam.

Maran Kavi was an important aid to the king who was also known as Madhurakavi and built a stone temple for Vishnu on the Anamalai hill, formerly a Jain centre. His brother Murti Eyivan was the Uttaramantri (chief minister) of the king. Jatila won many battles and constructed a big temple for Vishnu in Kanjivaypperur and earned the title param-vaishnava.

Jatila Parantaka was succeeded by his son Shri Mara Shri Vallabha who ruled from AD 815 to 862. He had the titles Ekavira, Parachakrakolahala and Avanipashekhara. He is said to have attacked Sri Lanka and sacked its capital. He was defeated by the Pallava Nandivarman III at Tellaru.

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However, some time later Vallabha defeated the Pallava king at the battle of Kumbhakonam. But again he was defeated by Nripatunga at Arichit. At this same time Sena II of Sri Lanka attacked and took Madura, the capital. Shri Vallabha died soon after.

Varagunavarman II ascended the Pandya throne and started as a feudatory of the Pallvas. In order to free his country he waged wars but was defeated by Pallava Aparajita. He soon died and was succeeded by his younger brother Parantaka Viranarayana Shadaiyan (AD 880-900), during whose reign the Chola Aditya I made extensive conquests at the expanse of Pallava and Pandya powers.

Parantaka Viranarayana was succeeded by his son (born to Vanavana Mahadevi) Maravarman Rajasimha II who ruled from AD 900 to 920. He had the titles Vikatapatava, Shrikanta, Rajashikhamani and Mandaragaurava. He fought many wars including against the Cholas. Rajasimha II ultimately had to abandon his capital and kingdom and flee to Ceylon. Thus disappeared from history the first empire of the Pandyas and its last ruler Rajasimha II