Narasimhavarman I was one of the most famous Pallava kings who ruled from A.D. 630 - 668. He shared his father's (Mahendravarman I) love of art and completed the work started by Mahendravarman in Mahabalipuram. He avenged his father's defeat at the hands of the Chalukya king, Pulakesi II in the year 642. Narasimhavarman was also known as Mamallan (great wrestler) and Mahabalipuram was also known as Mamallapuram (city of Mamallan). It was during his reign that the Chinese traveller, Hsuan Tsang, visited Kanchipuram in about 642. The Pallavas were hereditary Hindu rulers who dominated southeastern India between the 4th and 9th centuries. ... Events Muhammad captures Mecca (January). ... Events Childeric II succeeds Clotaire III as Frankish king Constantine IV becomes Byzantine Emperor, succeeding Constans II Theodore of Tarsus made archbishop of Canterbury. ... Mahabalipuram (also known as Mamallapuram) is a 7th century port city of the South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas around 60 km south from the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. ... The Chalukya Dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled parts of southern India between 550 and 750, and again between 973 and 1190. ... Xuanzang, Dunhuang cave, 9th century. ... Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram (also sometimes Conjeevaram) is the name of a temple town and district in Tamil Nadu, Indias southernmost state. ...

War with the Chalukyas

Pulakesi II, the most famous of the early Chalukya kings, had defeated Mahendravarman and annexed various northern Pallava provinces. Narasimhavarman vowed to avenge this defeat. He married the Pandya princess Vanama Devi and then began his invasion towards Vatapi. He lead his army along with his general Paranjothi and invaded Vatapi, successfully defeating and killing Pulakesi II in 642. He returned back to Kanchipuram as a victorous emperor, and was given the title Vatapikondan (one who destroyed Vatapi). Badami is a city in Karnataka in modern India. ... Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram (also sometimes Conjeevaram) is the name of a temple town and district in Tamil Nadu, Indias southernmost state. ...

Narasimhavarman in Literature

Kalki Krishnamurthy's famous work, Sivagamiyin Sabadham, is based on Narasimhavarman's early years and his fights with the Chalukyas. Kalki Krishnamurthy's Parthiban kanavu is based on the later years of Narasimhavarman's rule. Kalki R Krishnamurthy (1899 - 1954) Kalki is the pen name of Krishnamurthy (September 9, 1899 - December 5, 1954), freedom fighter, novelist, short story writer, journalist, satirist, travel writer, script-writer, poet, critic and connoisseur of the arts. ... Sivagamiyin sabatham (The vow of Sivagami — சிவகாமியின் சபதம் in Tamil) is a Tamil historical novel written by Kalki in 1944. ... Parthiban Kanavu (Parthibans dream) is a famous Tamil novel written by Kalki Krishnamurthy. ...

External Links

• Inscriptions of India -- Complete listing of historical inscriptions from Indian temples and monuments