Maravarman Rajasimha I

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Maravarman Rajasimha I
Reignc. 730 - 765 AD [1]
Predecessor Ko Chadaiyan Ranadhira
SuccessorJatila Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan/Varaguna I
Dynasty Pandya
Father Ko Chadaiyan Ranadhira

Maravarman Rajasimha I (r. c. 730 - 765 AD), also known as Pallavabhanjana, was a Pandya king of early medieval south India. [2] He was the son and successor of Ko Chadaiyan Ranadhira. [3] He remembered for his important successes against the Pallavas and in the Kongu country. [3]

Contents

Although mentioned in the Larger Sinnamanur Plates, the Velvikkudi Grant is the major source of information about this Pandya king. [3] [4]

Life and career

Siege of Nandigrama

When the Pallava king Parameswara II died in a battle with the Gangas, a crisis arose in the Pallava kingdom over succession. The Pallava officials then chose a young prince, Nandivarman II Pallavamalla, r. c. 731 - 96 AD, as the next monarch. [5] Rajasimha espoused the cause of a son of Parameswara II (named Chitramaya) in this crisis. [3]

The Pandya seems to have taken part in the campaigns which led to the siege of Nandivarman II in Nandigrama (Nandipuram, Kumbakonam) by the Tamil princess. [3] The Velvikkudi Grant ascribes him victories at Neduvayal, Kurumadai, Mannikuricchi (Mannaikkudi [4] ), Tirumangai, Puvalur, and Kodumbalur. [3] The grant also says that he defeated Nandivarman II in a battle at Kuzhumbur. [3] The siege was eventually raised by Pallava general Udayachandra (as mentioned in the Udayendiram Plates of Pallavamalla). [3] He defeated the Pandyas, beheaded prince Chitramaya, and made the Pallava throne secure for Nandivarman II. [6]

Even after defeating the Gangas in c. 760 AD, the Pallavas were unable to restrain the growing power of the Pandyas. [7]

Kongu country

Rajasimha I won a battle at Periyalur, then crossed the Kaveri River to subjugate the country of Mala Kongam (borders of Trichy and Thanjavur districts). [8] The Malava king who suffered defeat gave his daughter in marriage to Rajasimha. It seems that the conquests of the Pandya extended up to Pandikkodumudi (Kodumudi). [8]

Rajasimha is reportly to have "renewed the cities of Kudal, Vanchi and Kozhi". It is possible that this is a reference to the conquest of the ancient capitals of the Pandyas, the Cheras and the Cholas. [8]

Battle of Venbai

Velvikkudi Grant describes the Pandya foray in to the Ganga kingdom (a vassal of the Chalukyas). [8] [6] It says that the Western Chalukya king was defeated by the Pandya king in a battle at Venbai. Subsequently, a Ganga princess was offered in marriage to a Pandya prince (a son of the Pandya king). [8] [6] The Western Chalukya king who was defeated was probably Kirttivarman II (and thus the southern territory of the Chalukya kingdom was lost to the Pandyas under Kirttivarman II). [8] [7]

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References

  1. Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1958, second ed.) A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar. Madras, Oxford University Press. 165.
  2. Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1958, second ed.) A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar. Madras, Oxford University Press. 165.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1929) The Pandyan Kingdom. London, Luzac and Company. 56-58.
  4. 1 2 Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1929) The Pandyan Kingdom.London, Luzac and Company. 51-52.
  5. Noburu Karashima (ed.), A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2014. 87-88.
  6. 1 2 3 Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1958, second ed.) A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar. Madras, Oxford University Press. 149-50.
  7. 1 2 Noburu Karashima (ed.), A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2014. 88.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1929) The Pandyan Kingdom.London, Luzac and Company. 57-58.