Narasimhavarman I
Narasimhavarman I was a Pallava emperor who reigned from 630 CE to 668 CE. He shared his father Mahendravarman I's love of art and completed the works started by Mahendravarman in Mamallapuram. During his reign, the famous Pancha Rathas, a monolithic rock-cut temple complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site was constructed.
| Narasimhavarman I | |
|---|---|
| Vatapikondan Mahamallan | |
Sculpture of Narasimhavarman I at Mamallapuram. | |
| Pallava Monarch | |
| Reign | c. 630 – c. 668 CE |
| Predecessor | Mahendravarman I |
| Successor | Mahendravarman II |
| Born | Kanchipuram, Pallava Kingdom (present-day Tamil Nadu, India) |
| Died | 668 CE Kanchipuram, Pallava Kingdom (present-day Tamil Nadu, India) |
| Spouse | Unnamed Pandyan Princess |
| Issue | Mahendravarman II |
| Dynasty | Pallava |
| Father | Mahendravarman I |
| Mother | Unknown |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Pallava Monarchs (200s–800s CE) | |
|---|---|
| Virakurcha | (??–??) |
| Vishnugopa I | (??–??) |
| Vishnugopa II | (??–??) |
| Simhavarman III | (??–??) |
| Simhavishnu | (??–??) |
| Mahendravarman I | 600–630 |
| Narasimhavarman I | 630–668 |
| Mahendravarman II | 668–670 |
| Paramesvaravarman I | 670–695 |
| Narasimhavarman II | 695–728 |
| Paramesvaravarman II | 728–731 |
| Nandivarman II | 731–795 |
| Dantivarman | 795–846 |
| Nandivarman III | 846–869 |
| Nrpatungavarman | 869–880 |
| Aparajitavarman | 880–897 |
He avenged his father's defeat at the hands of the Chalukya monarch, Pulakeshin II in the year 642 CE. Narasimhavarman I was also known as Mamallan (great wrestler), and Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) was named in his honour.
It was during his reign, in 640 CE, that the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Kanchipuram.
Narasimhavarman I was a Hindu and a great devotee of Shiva. The great Nayanar saints like Appar, Siruthondar and Tirugnanasambandar lived during his reign.
Narasimhavarman I was succeeded by his son Mahendravarman II in the year 668 CE.