Simhavarman II

Simhavarman II
Reign	436–460 AD
Coronation	436 AD
Predecessor	Skandavarman III
Successor	Skandavarman IV
Issue	Skandavarman IV
Dynasty	Pallava
Father	Skandavarman III
Religion	Buddhism

Simhavarman II was a ruler of the Pallava dynasty during the Early Pallava period. He is notable for his patronage of Buddhism and for being mentioned in the historical text Lokavibhaga.

Biography

Simhavarman II was the son and successor of Skandavarman III. Unlike most other Pallava kings who were predominantly orthodox Hindus, Simhavarman II was a follower of Buddhism. ^[1]

Reign and date of ascension

The chronology of Simhavarman II's reign is primarily established through the Lokavibhaga, a Digambara Jaina cosmological work. Rishi Simhasuri (or Simhasura) translated the work from Prakrit into Sanskrit.

According to the text, the copying of the work was completed by Muni Sarvanandin in the village of Patalika (modern Cuddalore) during the **22nd regnal year** of Simhavarman, the Lord of Kanchi. This date is specified as **Saka 380**, which corresponds to **458 CE**. ^[2] This allows historians to backdate his ascension to approximately 436 CE.

Succession

Simhavarman II Pallava dynasty
Preceded by Skandavarman III	Pallava King 436–460 AD	Succeeded by Skandavarman IV

See also

• Pallava dynasty

References

1. Smith, Vincent A. (1906). Volume 2 – From the Sixth Century B.C. to the Mohammedan Conquest, Including the Invasion of Alexander the Great. p. 383. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
2. R. Gopalan, History of the Pallavas of Kanchi, University of Madras, 1928.

External links

• Far East Kingdoms: The Pallavas of India