Question

Sketch the biography of Mahendravarma I and Pulakesin II.

Answer 1

• Mahendravarma I:

1. Mahendravarma I (600-630 CE) was a Pallava king.
2. He was the son of Simhavishnu.
3. During his reign, the Chalukya king Pulakesin II attacked the Pallava kingdom. He was succeeded by his son Narasimavarma I.
4. He was a great patron of art and literature amongst the Pallavas.
5. In the inscription at the Mandagapattu rock-cut temple hails him as Vichitrachitta.
6. It is claimed that the temple was built without wood, brick, mortar, or metal
7. He authorsed the play Mattavilasa Prahasana
8. He was initially a patron of the Jain faith but converted to Saiva faith under the influence of Saiva Saint Appar.

• Pulakesin – II:

1. Pulakesin II (610-642 CE) was the most famous ruler of the Chalukya dynasty of Vatapi (present-day Badami in Karnataka).
2. During his reign, the Chalukya kingdom expanded to cover most of the Deccan region in Peninsular India.
3. He was the son of the Chalukya king Kirttivarman-I.
4. The most notable military achievement of Pulakesin was his victory over Harshavardhana.
5. He got defeated by Narasimha Varma I, who attained the title “Vatapikondan’.
6. Pulakesin was a Vaishnavite but was tolerant to other faiths including Shaivism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
7. He patronized several scholars including Ravikirtti, who composed his Aihole inscription.