Maravarman Rajasimha I


Maravarman Rajasimha I, also known as Pallavabhanjana, was a Pandya king of early medieval south India. He was the son and successor of Ko Chadaiyan Ranadhira. He remembered for his important successes against the Pallavas and in the Kongu country.
Although mentioned in the Larger Sinnamanur Plates, the Velvikkudi Grant is the major source of information about this Pandya king.

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. Rajasimha espoused the cause of a son of Parameswara II in this crisis.
The Pandya seems to have taken part in the campaigns which led to the siege of Nandivarman II in Nandigrama by the Tamil princess. The Velvikkudi Grant ascribes him victories at Neduvayal, Kurumadai, Mannikuricchi, Tirumangai, Puvalur, and Kodumbalur. The grant also says that he defeated Nandivarman II in a battle at Kuzhumbur. The siege was eventually raised by Pallava general Udayachandra. He defeated the Pandyas, beheaded prince Chitramaya, and made the Pallava throne secure for Nandivarman II.
Even after defeating the Gangas in c. 760 AD, the Pallavas were unable to restrain the growing power of the Pandyas.

Kongu country

Rajasimha I won a battle at Periyalur, then crossed the Kaveri River to subjugate the country of Mala Kongam. 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.
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.

Battle of Venbai

Velvikkudi Grant describes the Pandya foray in to the Ganga kingdom. 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. The Western Chalukya king who was defeated was probably Kirttivarman II.