2023-02-17 20:21:59 by ambuda-bot
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INTRODUCTION
39
before that of Malik Kafur. He sued for peace and
accepting humiliating conditions from the Malik,
he agreed to be an ally of the invader in the latter's
invasion of Ma'bar.
Malik Kafur's forces reached the frontiers of
Ma'bar on the ides of March, 1311. Vira Pāndya,
unlike Ramadeva and Vira Ballāla, preferred to give
fight to the Muslims rather than meekly submit to them.
He put all his strength into the fight and when the reck-
less invaders advanced, Vīra Pandya decided to flee for
safety, and from Bir Dhul, where he was encamped he
escaped, much to the consternation and chagrin of the
avengeful Malik. As soon as Malik Naib discovered that
he had been outwitted by Vira Pāndya, he resolved to
go to Kannanur and proceeded with a regiment to
Kannanūr. But Vira Pandya gave the slip here also.
Thus it was a regular game of hide and seek between
Vira Pandya and Malik Kafur. It was a great tragedy,
which however could not be helped, that Baliāla had to
play "the faithful ally", to the marauding forces. After
vain pursuits, Malik Kafur gave up the idea of
capturing Vīra Pandya but turned his attention on the
primary object of his raid, viz., plunder. From Kaṇṇa-
nur he proceeded to Kānçipuram and laid waste the tem-
ples found in that great city. After plundering the tem-
ples, the Malik went back with his army to Bhir Dhul
where he had originally struck camp. From Bhir Dhul
his idea was to make a surprise attack on the Pandyan
capital where Sundara Pandya was in authority. Sun-
dara Pāndya was forewarned; and by way of abundant
caution he had left the city with his household, leaving
a couple of temple-elephants in the city. The Malik's
assault on Madhurai therefore proved a first rate mis-
39
before that of Malik Kafur. He sued for peace and
accepting humiliating conditions from the Malik,
he agreed to be an ally of the invader in the latter's
invasion of Ma'bar.
Malik Kafur's forces reached the frontiers of
Ma'bar on the ides of March, 1311. Vira Pāndya,
unlike Ramadeva and Vira Ballāla, preferred to give
fight to the Muslims rather than meekly submit to them.
He put all his strength into the fight and when the reck-
less invaders advanced, Vīra Pandya decided to flee for
safety, and from Bir Dhul, where he was encamped he
escaped, much to the consternation and chagrin of the
avengeful Malik. As soon as Malik Naib discovered that
he had been outwitted by Vira Pāndya, he resolved to
go to Kannanur and proceeded with a regiment to
Kannanūr. But Vira Pandya gave the slip here also.
Thus it was a regular game of hide and seek between
Vira Pandya and Malik Kafur. It was a great tragedy,
which however could not be helped, that Baliāla had to
play "the faithful ally", to the marauding forces. After
vain pursuits, Malik Kafur gave up the idea of
capturing Vīra Pandya but turned his attention on the
primary object of his raid, viz., plunder. From Kaṇṇa-
nur he proceeded to Kānçipuram and laid waste the tem-
ples found in that great city. After plundering the tem-
ples, the Malik went back with his army to Bhir Dhul
where he had originally struck camp. From Bhir Dhul
his idea was to make a surprise attack on the Pandyan
capital where Sundara Pandya was in authority. Sun-
dara Pāndya was forewarned; and by way of abundant
caution he had left the city with his household, leaving
a couple of temple-elephants in the city. The Malik's
assault on Madhurai therefore proved a first rate mis-