Narasimhavarman I
| Narasimhavarman I | |
|---|---|
| Vatapikondan Mahamallan | |
Sculpture of Narasimhavarman I at Mamallapuram. | |
| Pallava emperor | |
| Reign | c. 630 – c. 668 |
| Predecessor | Mahendravarman I |
| Successor | Mahendravarman II |
| Born | Kanchipuram, Pallava Empire |
| Died | 668 Kanchipuram, Pallava Empire |
| Spouse | Unnamed Pandyan Princess |
| Issue | Mahendravarman II |
| Dynasty | Pallava |
| Father | Mahendravarman I |
| Mother | Unknown |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Virakurcha | (Unknown) |
|---|---|
| Vishnugopa I | (Unknown) |
| Vishnugopa II | (Unknown) |
| Simhavarman III | (Unknown) |
| Simhavishnu | 575–600 |
| Mahendravarman I | 600–630 |
| Narasimhavarman I | 630–668 |
| Mahendravarman II | 668–670 |
| Parameswaravarman I | 670–695 |
| Narasimhavarman II | 695–728 |
| Paramesvaravarman II | 728–731 |
| Nandivarman II | 731–795 |
| Dantivarman | 795–846 |
| Nandivarman III | 846–869 |
| Nriputungavarman | 869–880 |
| Aparajita Varman | 880–897 |
Narasimhavarman I was a Pallava emperor who reigned from 630 to 668. 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.
He avenged his father's defeat at the hands of the Chalukya monarch Pulakeshin II in the year 642. Narasimhavarman I was also known as Mamallan (great wrestler), and Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) was named in his honour.
The Culavamsa, the Sri Lankan chronicle, refers to the Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman I by the epithet “Kanduvethi” (or “Kaduvetti"). Historians interpret this title as linguistically related to the term “Kadavan,” a designation later associated with the Kadava chiefs, and consider it indicative of an connection between early Pallavas with the Kadava lineage.
It was during his reign, in 640 CE, that the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Kanchipuram.
Narasimhavarman I was a Hindu and a devotee of Shiva. The Nayanar poet-saints Appar, Paranjoti, and Sambandar lived during his reign.
Narasimhavarman I was succeeded by his son Mahendravarman II in the year 668 CE.