Narasimhavarman I
Narasimhavarman I was one of the most famous
Pallava kings who ruled from A.D.
630 -
668. He shared his father's (
Mahendravarman I) 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. Narasimhavarman was also known as
Mamallan (great wrestler) and Mahabalipuram was also known as
Mamallapuram (city of Mamallan). It was during his reign that the Chinese traveller,
Hsuan Tsang, visited
Kanchipuram in about 642.
Pulakesi II, the most famous of the early Chalukya kings, had defeated Mahendravarman and annexed various northern Pallava provinces. Narasimhavarman vowed to avenge this defeat. He married the Pandya princess Vanama Devi and then began his invasion towards
Vatapi. He led his army along with his general Paranjothi and invaded Vatapi, successfully defeating and killing Pulakesi II in 642. He returned back to
Kanchipuram as a victorous emperor, and was given the title
Vatapikondan (one who destroyed Vatapi).
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.
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Inscriptions of India -- Complete listing of historical inscriptions from Indian temples and monuments
