Medieval History of Pondicherry

The medieval history of Pondicherry is witness to the rise and fall of several royal dynasties. The Pallavas ruled the region of South India that included the territory of Pondicherry from the fourth century to the beginning of the tenth century. The Pallavas had an encompassing influence on the region and was in constant conflict with the Cholas and the Pandyas who followed them in the reign of the region.

The first dynasty to set up their empire in the Deccan region of India in the medieval age were the Chola dynasty. The Cholas of Tanjavur faced several encounters with the Pallava dynasty. The reign of the region of Pondicherry changed hands from the Cholas to the Pandyas in the thirteenth century. The Pandyas ruled from the Madurai till the end of the fifteenth century. The territory of Pondicherry fell under the influence of the Pandyas along with the rest of South India. The medieval period of Pondicherry saw the rule of the Muslim emperors for a brief period of time. The Muslim rule spread its pervasive powers from the north to the south of India and established its administrative center in the city of Madurai. After the decline of the powers of the Muslim emperors, the rule of the region of Pondichery and the rest of South India came under the Vijayanagar Empire. The rule of the empire lasted till the 17th century after which the power of the region was forfeited by the Sultan of Bijapur.

The medieval history of Pondicherry saw the upheaval and downfall of a number of empires that influenced the socio-economic conditions of the territory.

The following are the links to the medieval history of Pondicherry:

• Cholas
• Pandyas
• Muslim Rulers
• Vijaynagar Empire