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 | |
|---|---|
| Reign | c. 730 - 765 AD[1] |
| Predecessor | Ko Chadaiyan Ranadhira |
| Successor | Jatila Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan/Varaguna I |
| Dynasty | Pandya |
| Father | Ko Chadaiyan Ranadhira |
| Pandya dynasty | ||
| Early Pandya polity | ||
| Koon Pandiyan | ||
| Pudappandiyan | ||
| Mudukudumi Paruvaludhi | ||
| Nedunjeliyan I | ||
| Nedunjeliyan II | ||
| Nan Maran | ||
| Nedunjeliyan III | ||
| Maran Valudi | ||
| Kadalan Valuthi | ||
| Musiri Mutriya Cheliyan | ||
| Ukkirap Peruvaludi | ||
| Early Medieval Pandyas | ||
| Kadungon (c. 590–620)/(c. 560–590) | ||
| Maravarman Avanichulamani (c. 620–645)/(c. 590–620) | ||
| Cheliyan Chendan (c. 654–670)/(c. 620–650) | ||
| Arikesari Maravarman (Parankusan) (c. 670–700)/(c. 650–700) |
||
| Ko Chadaiyan Ranadhira (c. 700–730) | ||
| Maravarman Rajasimha I (c. 730–765)/(c. 730–768) | ||
| Jatila Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan/ Varaguna I (c. 756–815)/(c. 768–815) |
||
| Srimara Srivallabha (c. 815–862) | ||
| Varaguna II (c. 862–880)/(c. 862–885) | ||
| Parantaka Viranarayana (c. 880–900)/(c. 860–905) | ||
| Maravarman Rajasimha III (c. 900–915) | ||
| Sundara pandiyan (c.917-947) | ||
| Vira Pandiyan (c.948-966) | ||
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
- 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.
- 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.
- Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1929) The Pandyan Kingdom. London, Luzac and Company. 56-58.
- Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1929) The Pandyan Kingdom.London, Luzac and Company. 51-52.
- Noburu Karashima (ed.), A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2014. 87-88.
- 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.
- Noburu Karashima (ed.), A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2014. 88.
- Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. (1929) The Pandyan Kingdom.London, Luzac and Company. 57-58.