Mahendravarman I

Mahendravarma I (Tamil: மகேந்திரவர்மன் 600–630 CE)[1] was a Pallava king who ruled the Northern regions of what forms present-day Tamil Nadu in India in the early 7th century. He was the son of Simhavishnu, who defeated the Kalabhras and re-established the Pallava kingdom.

During his reign, the Chalukya king Pulakesin II attacked the Pallava kingdom. The Pallavas fought a series of wars in the northern Vengi region, before Mahendravarma decimated his chief enemies at Pullalur (according to Pallava grants at Kuram, kasakudi and tadantottam). Although Mahendravarma saved his capital, he lost the northern provinces to Pulakesi.[2] Tamil literature flourished under his rule, with the rise in popularity of Tevaram written by Appar and Sambandhar. He himself was the author of the play Mattavilasa Prahasana and another play called Bhagavadajjuka.

Mahendravarma was succeeded to the throne by his more famous son Narasimhavarman I in 630 CE.[1] At last he defeated pulakesin II and ransacked the Chalukyan capital city VAtApi (also known as BAdAmi).

Patronage of arts and architecture

The rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram. Construction of these started in the reign of Mahendravarma I

Mahendravarma was a great patron of letters and architecture. He was the pioneer of Rock-cut Architecture amongst the Pallavas.[3] In the inscription at the Mandagapattu rock-cut temple, it is claimed that the temple was built without wood, brick, mortar or metal. The five-celled cave temple at Pallavaram was also built during his reign as was the Kokarneswarar Temple, Thirukokarnam of Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu.[4]

Fine examples of his rock-cut temples can been witnessed at Mahabalipuram, (Satyagirinathar and Satyagirishwarar twin temples), Siyamangalam (the Siva temple Avanibhajana Pallaveswaram) in North Arcot district and the upper rock-cut temple at Trichy. Apart from the Siva temples, Mahendravarma also excavated a few Vishnu cave temples, the Mahendravishungrha at Mahendravadi, and the Ranganatha temple both at Singavaram both in present-day North Arcot district.[5]

He was also the author of the play Mattavilasa Prahasana, a farce concerning Buddhist and Saiva ascetics. He is also claimed to be the author of another play called Bhagavadajjuka,. This is evident by the inscriptions found at Mamandur cave shrines (near Kanchipuram - this place is mentioned as Dusi Mamandur to avoid confusions with other places by the same name). However, there is an alternate view that attributes this play to Bodhayana.[6] ha

Religion

Mahendravarma was initially a patron of the Jain faith, but he converted into the Saiva faith under the influence of the Saiva saint Appar.[7][8]

Mahendravarman I
Preceded by
Simhavishnu		 Pallava dynasty
600–630 		Succeeded by
Narasimhavarman I

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hall, John Whitney, ed. (2005) [1988]. "India". History of the World: Earliest Times to the Present Day. John Grayson Kirk. 455 Somerset Avenue, North Dighton, MA 02764, USA: World Publications Group. p. 246. ISBN 1-57215-421-7.
  2. ↑ KAN Sastri, A History of South India, p136
  3. ↑ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam, ed. India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 217.
  4. ↑ KAN Sastri, A History of South India, p412
  5. ↑ KAN Sastri, A History of South India, p413
  6. ↑ KAN Sastri, A History of South India, p313
  7. ↑ KAN Sastri, A History of South India, p382-383
  8. ↑ Stein, p 122

References