Following the conquest of Madurai by Malik Kafur in 1311, there was a brief lull when both culture
and civilisation began to deteriorate.
Kafur rose rapidly in official position, mainly because
of his proven ability as a wise counsellor and military commander.
Islam was brought to the southern part of India by Arab
traders although most converts were made from the 14th century onwards, when Malik Kafur conquered Madurai.
Lo! the righteous shall
drink of a cup whereof the mixture is of Kafur.
Between 1309 and 1311 Malik Kafur has led two successful campaigns in South India.
Indeed, the righteous will drink from a cup[of wine] whose mixture is of Kafur.
It remained in their hands until the Pandyans obtained independence in 12th century,
only to lose to Malik Kafur, a general in the service of the Delhi Sultanate.
During the 14th century C. E, Malik Kafur, a commander of Delhi Sultanate, led his army into most parts of southern
India and looted many temples including the famed Meenakshi Temple.
Ibn Batuta(1304- 1369) refers to Kafur by the epithet al-Alfi(the Arabic equivalent of hazar-dinari),
again in reference to the price paid for him but Ibn Batuta may be in error in stating that the epithet refers to a sum paid by the sultan(Alauddin) himself for Kafur.