Maravarman Rajasimha I

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]

Maravarman Rajasimha I
Reignc. 730 - 765 AD[1]
PredecessorKo Chadaiyan Ranadhira
SuccessorJatila Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan/Varaguna I
DynastyPandya
FatherKo Chadaiyan Ranadhira
Pandya dynasty
Early Pandya polity
Early Medieval Pandyas

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]

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. Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1929) The Pandyan Kingdom. London, Luzac and Company. 56-58.
  4. 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. 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. Noburu Karashima (ed.), A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2014. 88.
  8. Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1929) The Pandyan Kingdom.London, Luzac and Company. 57-58.
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