Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan I

Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan I
Pandyan Kingdom in Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I's period
King of Pandyan
Reign	1251–1268
Coronation	1251
Predecessor	Maravarman Sundara Pandyan II
Successor	Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I
Born	Madurai, Tamil Nadu
House	Pandyan Dynasty
Father	Maravarman Sundara Pandyan II
Religion	Hinduism

Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan I (Tamil: முதலாம் சடையவர்மன் சுந்தரபாண்டியன்) was king and Lord Emperor of the Pandyan dynasty, ruling regions of Tamilakkam (present day South India between 1250–1268. Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I is remembered for his patronage of the arts and Dravidian architecture, paying attention to the refurbishment and decoration of Kovils in the Tamil continent. He oversaw the massive economic growth of the Pandyan kingdom. On the eve of his death in 1268, the second Pandyan empire's power and territorial extent had risen to its zenith.

Sundara Pandyan I acceded to the Pandyan throne in the year 1251 CE. During the middle part of the 13th century, Pandya kingdom was ruled by many princes of the royal line. This practice of shared rule with one prince asserting primacy was common in the Pandyan Kingdom. The other princes of the Pandyan royal family with whom Sundara Pandyan I shared his rule were Maravarman Vikkiraman II and his brother Jatavarman Veera Pandyan I.

By the middle of the 13th century, the Chola dynasty which had dominated Southern India over the past three centuries was in its last throes. The last king of the Later Cholas, Rajendra Chola III reigned over a crumbling empire beset with rebellion and increasing external influence from Hoysalas and Kadavas. Previous rulers of the Pandyan kingdom like Maravarman Sundara Pandyan I had succeeded in overthrowing Chola hegemony. The Hoysala dominance over the Tamil Kingdoms had also waned by the time Sundara Pandyan I took power in 1251.

Sundara Pandyan I first invaded and ravaged the Chera country ruled by Viraravi Udaya Marthandavarman. The Chera army was destroyed and their king killed in battle. Next he turned his attention to Cholas. Rajendra Chola III was forced to submit and accept Pandyan suzerainty.