Royal Signatories and Administrative Officers in Pandya Inscriptions
By L.D.S. Pillai, A. Krishnan, V.Rangacharya, Nilakanda Sastri
Summary
The analysis of royal signatories in Pandyan inscriptions reveals complexities in attributing records to specific rulers. Scholars like A. Krishnan and V. Rangacharya have differing interpretations, with Krishnan assigning three inscriptions to Jatavarman Sundara Pandya I and II, while Rangacharya attributes one to Sundara Pandya I and another generally to Sundara Pandya. Adichchan Ganapathi Alvan and Uraiyakudi Udaiyan, identified as royal signatories, attest records from both Magadai and Pandya mandalams, though their specific associations remain debated. Kalingaraya, a royal officer mentioned in multiple temple inscriptions, is linked to administrative roles across dynasties, including granting villages for services like Kothandaraman sandi, later associated with Jatavarman Sundara Pandya III. These inscriptions highlight the administrative influence of Pandyas in the region and the functions of royal officers. The Reddi period (1324–1430 AD) saw restored political stability and economic prosperity in Andhra after the Tughlaq rule, with flourishing inland and maritime trade. Key trade routes connected Ayodhya to Kanchi via Nellore and Warangal, while another route linked Vijayanagara to Udayagiri. Guilds like Teliki-1000 and Virabalanja Samgas played significant roles, operating with autonomy under their own regulations (samayas) and often maintaining private armies. The study underscores the interdependence of political stability and economic growth, with the Reddis reviving trade by ensuring protection and infrastructure for foreign and local traders.
Conclusion
This analysis of Pandyan inscriptions reveals the complex administrative structure and royal authority dynamics of the period, particularly through the roles of signatories like Adichchan Ganapathi Alvan and Uraiyakudi Udaiyan, who attested records across different mandalams. The study highlights the political influence of royal officers such as Kalingaraya, whose administrative roles persisted across dynasties, underscoring the continuity of bureaucratic systems. The identification of multiple Jatavarman Sundara Pandya rulers through epigraphic references demonstrates the challenges in chronologically pinpointing their reigns, reflecting broader issues in reconstructing Pandyan historiography. Additionally, the analysis of trade during the Reddi period illustrates the economic recovery and prosperity following the collapse of Kakatiya rule, emphasizing the Reddis' role in revitalizing inland and maritime trade through strategic regulations and guild systems. The interplay between political stability and economic flourishing is evident, with guilds like the Teliki-1000 wield