Narasimhavarman I

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Narasimhavarman I
Vatapikondan
Mahamallan
Pandyan Princess
IssueMahendravarman II
DynastyPallava
FatherMahendravarman I
MotherUnknown
ReligionHinduism
Aparajitavarman
880–897

Narasimhavarman I was a

Pallava emperor who reigned from 630 CE to 668 CE.[1] He shared his father Mahendravarman I's love of art and completed the works started by Mahendravarman in Mamallapuram. During his reign, the famous Pancha Rathas, a monolithic rock-cut temple complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
was constructed.

He avenged his father's defeat at the hands of the

Chalukya monarch, Pulakeshin II in the year 642 CE. Narasimhavarman I was also known as Mamallan[2][3] (great wrestler), and Mamallapuram
(Mahabalipuram) was named in his honour.

It was during his reign, in 640 CE, that the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Kanchipuram.[4]

Narasimhavarman I was a Hindu and a great devotee of

Tirugnanasambandar lived during his reign.[citation needed
]

Narasimhavarman I was succeeded by his son Mahendravarman II in the year 668 CE.

Military conquests

The famous Pancha Rathas were completed during his tenure

Narasimhavarman I is considered to be one of the Indian monarchs who never lost on the battlefield to their enemies.

Coin of the Pallavas of Coromandel, king Narasimhavarman I. (630–668 CE).Obv Lion left Rev Name of Narasimhavarman with solar and lunar symbols around

Pallavas
.

Pulakeshin II again attempts to seize the Pallava capital and undertook another expedition several years later. However, the Pallava reign had moved on to Narasimhavarman I by then. Narasimhavarman defeated the Chalukyas in several battles, including one at

Chalukyan Emperor Pulakeshin II in 642 CE. The city was never a capital again.[6] He returned victorious to Kanchipuram, and was conferred the title Vatapikondan (lit. One who conquered Vatapi).[7]

His general

Pallavas. He is also known as 'Siruthonttar', a dutiful warrior and a practicing medic who had "mastered several treatises in medicine". This vikramakesari had at the insistence of the God Shiva sacrificed his child without any qualms. There was a confusion as to whether the Ganesha at a temple in Chengattankudy could have been a result of this invasion. Many grants refer to this event as "Kilisayoneriva Vimattita Vathapi" or the one who destroyed Vatapi, the same way the Sage Agastya
had killed a demon by that name long ago.(**)

Influence on Sri Lankan politics

The

Mahavamsa also confirms these facts.[8]

Narasimhavarman in literature

Mahabalipuram, which in modern times are grouped as Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram and one of the UNESCO world heritage sites.[8]

Narasimhavarman I
Preceded by Pallava dynasty
630–668
Succeeded by

Notes

  1. ^ Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland. 1885.
  2. ^ Rabe, Michael Dan (1987). The Monolithic Temples of the Pallava Dynasty: A Chronology. University of Minnesota.
  3. ^ Gangoly, Ordhendra Coomar (1957). The art of the Pallavas. G. Wittenborn.
  4. ^ .
  5. ^ Keay 2001, p. 170
  6. ^ Sastri 2008, p. 136
  7. ^ Keay 2001, p. 172
  8. ^ a b C. 2004, p. 5

References

(**) Ancient India, R. C. Majumdar, Ancient India, K.A.Nilakanta Sastri

External links