Narasimhavarman II

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Narasimhavarman II
Paramesvaravarman I
ReligionHinduism
Aparajitavarman
880–897

Narasimhavarman II, popularly known as Rajasimha and as Rajamalla, was a

Nagipattinam, which is commonly known as ‘China-pagoda'.[3]

Narasimhavarman's reign was period of great literary and architectural advancements and he is often grouped by historians with Mahendravarman I and Narasimhavarman I as one of the greatest Pallava rulers.

Accession to the throne

By the time Narasimhavarman II ascended the throne, the

Pallavas were by large the most powerful military force in the subcontinent. His father Parameswaravarman I was among the greatest of warrior monarchs of ancient India, the Amaravati Pallava inscription praises him of being: "As vigorous and strong as lord Sambhu (Shiva
)".

Pallavas.[citation needed
]

Reign

Narasimhavarman II, like of most of

Tang China. Mentions of Dvipalaksam indicate Pallava influence in the Lakshadweep during his reign.[4] In general, his period was relatively free from major wars and Pallava domination of Southeast Asia continued.[citation needed
]

Foreign relations

Relations with Tang China

In the 8th century, the

Pallavas under Narasimhavarman II and made the latter the General of South China to safeguard Chinese territories and interests from the expanding Tibetan Empire.[5]

Narasimhavarman II sent an embassy to

Nilakanta Sastri states that this embassy was definitely led by the venerated Southern Indian Buddhist Monk Vajrabodhi. The Chinese emperor also sent an ambassador to confer by brevet the title of General of South China on the 'King of the kingdom of South India', Che-li-Na-lo-seng-k’ia pao-to-pa-mo (Sri Narasimha Potavarman). It is also noteworthy that Narasimhavarman II built a temple in the honor of the Tang Chinese emperor and asked a name for this temple from the emperor. He was sent an inscribed tablet reading Koei-hoa se, meaning 'which cause to return virtue’. This temple could be the Buddhist Vihara, commonly known as 'China-pagoda' constructed by him at Nagapattinam
.

The historian

Nilakanta Sastri states that "Separately or allied together, the Arabs and the Tibetans
were more the enemies of
China
in this period than of any Indian state, least of all a Southern Indian state, and one Tibetan power may reasonably surmise that it was the
Chinese
court which, being impressed by the political power of Narasimhavarman in India, was anxious to enlist his support in its plans against the Tibetans".[6]

Contributions to literature

Rock cut of Varaha and Vamana.
Rock cut depicting Durga fighting Mahishasura.

Narasimhavarman was a skilled dramatist and poet. He wrote many works in

Mahabharatha and the Puranas
. Kutiyattam, which is considered as the most ancient available form of dance drama and is still in vogue in
Lord Krishna's slaying of Kamsa
also was written by the him.

The

agamic worship rituals like his preceptor Drona.[7]

For all his accomplishments, Narasimhavarman II is mainly remembered as a foremost devotee of the

Pallava grants of Narasimhavarman as well as those of monarchs who succeeded him.[citation needed
]

Religious endowments

In the Kasakudi plates of Nandivarman Pallavamalla, Narasimhavarman II is said to have bestowed his wealth on temples and Brahmanas. He was devout worshiper of

Tiruvarur alongside Seruthunai, a Nayanar saint that he considered himself not a monarch but a sincere servant of the Lord Shiva.[citation needed
]

Patronage of architecture

Mahabalipuram
built by Narasimhavarman II
Kailasanathar temple built in Kanchipuram
.

Narasimhavarman's reign was marked by peace and prosperity, and he constructed several beautiful temples.

Iravatanesvara Temple at Kanchipuram and the Talagirisvara Temple at Panamalai.[12]

Successor

Narasimhavarman's had two sons – Mahendravarman III and Paramesvaravarman II. However, Mahendravarman III predeceased his father, and Paramesvaravarman II succeeded to the throne.[citation needed]

Narasimhavarman II
Preceded by
Paramesvaravarman I
 Pallava dynasty
695–722 		Succeeded by

Footnotes

  1. ^ Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland. 1885.
  2. ISBN 9788131758304.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  3. ISBN 978-93-80607-34-4
    .
  4. ^ "Puratattva". 20 July 2011.
  5. ^ "A 1,700-year-old Chinese connection | Chennai News - Times of India". The Times of India. 4 September 2019.
  6. ISBN 978-1298827906
    .
  7. ^ a b Tripathi, p450
  8. ^ C., Sivaramamurthi (2004). Mahabalipuram. New Delhi: The Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India. p. 6.
  9. ^ R.K.K., Rajarajan (January 2015). "The Iconography of the Kailāsanātha Temple - Seeing beyond the replastered Images and Yoginīs". Indologica Taurinensia. 41–42 (2015–2016): 101–102. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  10. ^ Ching, Francis D.K, A Global History of Architecture, p 274
  11. ^ Keay, John, India: A History, p 174
  12. ^ South Indian Inscriptions, Volume 12, ASI

References

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