Early Pandyas & Sangam Era (3rd Century BC)
Madurai is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital of the Early Pandyan Kingdom and hosted the legendary Sangam assemblies of poets, scholars, and sages who produced standard Sangam literature.
Kalabhras to Medieval Pandyas (6th - 13th Century AD)
Following the Kalabhra interregnum, Madurai was revived by Kadungon of the Pandya dynasty. Over the centuries, the city witnessed power struggles between the Cholas and Pandyas, eventually rising as a powerful empire under the Later Pandyas.
Vijayanagar & Madurai Nayaks (14th - 18th Century)
Briefly ruled as the Madurai Sultanate, the city was annexed to the Vijayanagara Empire by Kumara Kampana. The Madurai Nayak dynasty, especially King Tirumalai Nayak, restored its glory, moving the capital back to Madurai and constructing the grand Mahal palace and Meenakshi Temple walls.
British Rule & Independence Movement
Under British administration, Madura was a center of the independence movement. In 1921, Mahatma Gandhi visited Madurai and made his historic decision to adopt the simple loincloth after seeing the plight of local farmers.