Narasimhavarman I

Narasimhavarman I
Vatapikondan Mahamallan
Sculpture of Narasimhavarman I at Mamallapuram.
Pallava Monarch
Reign	c. 630 – c. 668 CE
Predecessor	Mahendravarman I
Successor	Mahendravarman II

Born	Kanchipuram, Pallava Kingdom (present-day Tamil Nadu, India)
Died	668 CE Kanchipuram, Pallava Kingdom (present-day Tamil Nadu, India)
Spouse	Unnamed Pandyan Princess
Issue	Mahendravarman II
Dynasty	Pallava
Father	Mahendravarman I
Mother	Unknown
Religion	Hinduism

Pallava Monarchs (200s–800s CE)
Virakurcha	(??–??)
Vishnugopa I	(??–??)
Vishnugopa II	(??–??)
Simhavarman III	(??–??)
Simhavishnu	(??–??)
Mahendravarman I	600–630
Narasimhavarman I	630–668
Mahendravarman II	668–670
Paramesvaravarman I	670–695
Narasimhavarman II	695–728
Paramesvaravarman II	728–731
Nandivarman II	731–795
Dantivarman	795–846
Nandivarman III	846–869
Nrpatungavarman	869–880
Aparajitavarman	880–897
v t e

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 Shiva. The great Nayanar saints like Appar, Siruthondar and Tirugnanasambandar lived during his reign.^{[citation needed]}

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

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Hey guys, We are in Mahabalipuram in India, and this is the Indian sphinx that shows the face of Narasimhavarman I, who is considered one of the greatest Kings in India. And he was responsible for most of the carvings in Mahabalipuram. We are familiar with the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt that shows the face of Pharoah Khafra, which was constructed around 2500 B.C. This one is much smaller, just about a few feet tall and is also much newer. It was carved just 1300 years ago. Narasimhavarman I is shown with a lion�s body, and the face of a man. You can see how he has a rounded nose as opposed to Gods who are generally shown with sharp noses. You can see that he is sporting a nice big mustache which is a symbol of power and masculinity. So, now we know how King Narasimhavarman�s face would have been 1300 years ago. To the left of the sphinx, you can see a regular lion and to the right, you can see a carving with a lion�s body but an eagle�s face. This type of animal is called a Griffin in Greek mythology. So, you can see how the Indian carvings are very much related to the Egyptian and Greek carvings. I have seen several sphinxes in Indian temples, but this one is very special because it shows a man instead of a god. I hope you liked the video. Thanks for watching, please do subscribe to my channel and I would really appreciate if you give me a thumbs up. Talk to you soon.

Military conquests

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

Chalukyan Emperor Pulakeshin II had previously raided various northern Pallava provinces and forts. However, he was unable to capture the Pallava capital of Kanchipuram.^[5] This led to a long conflict between the Chalukyas and the 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 Manimangalam 20 miles to the east of Kanchipuram. The Pallava monarch states that he could see the back of his dreaded enemy as he tore apart his army. Encouraged by this victory, Narasimhavarman led his army along with his general Paranjothi and attacked Vatapi, successfully defeating^[4] and killing the 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 Paranjothi (a Vikrama Kesari, also known as Paradurgamarddana) was known very well for his devotion to the God Shiva and as one of the 63 Nayanar saints, is said to have personally destroyed the city of Vatapi under the command of Narasimhavarman I. Sekkizhaar's work 12th tirumurai credits this siruttondar of having destroyed the evil kali as manifested by the deccan enemy of the 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 Sinhalese prince Manavarman lived at the court of Narasimhavarman I and had helped him crush his enemy Pulakeshin II. In return, Narasimhavarman had helped Manavarman twice with an army to conquer Sri Lanka. The second expedition was successful. Manavarman conquered Sri Lanka, over which he is supposed to have ruled from 691 to 726 CE. The Kasakudi copper plates refer to Narasimhavarman's conquest of Sri Lanka. The Mahavamsa also confirms these facts.^[8]