Narasimhavarman I
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Narasimhavarman I (Tamil: முதலாம் நரசிம்மவர்மன்) was one of the most famous Pallava kings who ruled South India from 630 - 668 CE. He shared his father Mahendravarman I's love of art and completed the work started by Mahendravarman in Mahabalipuram.
He avenged his father's defeat at the hands of the Chalukya king, Pulakesi II in the year 642 CE. Narasimhavarman was also known as Mamallan (great wrestler) and Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) was named after him. It was during his reign that the Chinese traveller Hsuan Tsang visited Kanchipuram.
Narasimhavarman I was a devotee of Siva. The great Nayanmar saints like Appar and Tirugnanasambandar lived during his reign.
Narasimhavarman I was succeeded by his son Mahendravarman II in the year 668 CE.
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[edit] Military Conquests
Narasimhavarman I is claimed to be one of the six Indian kings who never lost on the battlefield to their enemies, the others being Karikala Chola of the Sangam age, Samudragupta, Asoka the great, Rajaraja Chola I, his great warrior son Rajendra Chola.[citation needed]
[edit] War with the Chalukyas
Pulakesi II, the most famous of the early Chalukya kings, had previously defeated Mahendravarman I and annexed various northern Pallava provinces. However, he was unable to capture the Pallava capital of Kanchipuram.[1] This led to a long conflict between the Chalukyas and the Pallavas.
Pulakesi II again attempted to seize the Pallava capital and undertook another expedition several years later. However, the Pallava reign had moved on to Narasimhavarman II by then. Narasimhavarman defeated the Chalukyas in several battles, including one at Manimangalam 20 miles to the east of Kanchipuram. Encouraged by this victory, Narasimhavarman led his army along with his general Paranjothi and invaded Vatapi, successfully defeating the Chalukya king Pulakesi II in 642 CE.[2]
He returned victorious to Kanchipuram, and was given the title Vatapikondan (one who destroyed Vatapi).[3]
His general Paranjothi (Vikrama Kesari, also known as paradurgamarddana) was known very well for his devotion to Lord Siva and as one of the 63 Nayanmar saints, is said to have indeed personally lifted the image of Ganesha after destroying the temple at Vatapi, and installed this Ganesha at a temple in his home town Tiruchengattankudy, near present-day Tanjore.[citation needed]
[edit] Influence on Ceylon politics
The Sinhalese prince Manavamma lived at the court of Narasimhavarman and had helped him crush his enemy Pulakesi II. In return, Narasimhavarman supplied Manavamma twice with an army to invade Ceylon. The second attack was successful. Manavamma occupied Ceylon, over which he is supposed to have ruled from A. D. 691 to 726. The Kasakudi copper plates refer to Narasimhavarman's conquest of Ceylon. The Mahavamsa also confirms these facts.
[edit] Narasimhavarman in Literature
Kalki Krishnamurthy's famous work, Sivagamiyin Sabadham, is based on Narasimhavarman's early years and his fights with the Chalukyas. Kalki Krishnamurthy's Parthiban kanavu is based on the later years of Narasimhavarman's rule.
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Keay, John (2001). India: A History. Grove Press. ISBN 0802137970.
- Sastri, K A N (2008). A History of South India, 4th, New Delhi, India: Oxford University Press.
