Parameswaravarman I

For the Cham ruler, see Paramesvaravarman I (Champa).

Parameswaravarman I was a Pallava emperor who reigned in southern India in the latter half of the 7th century, 670 - 695 CE.^[1] He ascended to the throne after the death of his father Mahendravarman II in 670 CE.^[1] His grandfather Narasimhavarman I had already made the Pallava empire the most powerful force in the subcontinent and destroyed the Chalukya capital at Vatapi. Parameswaravarman was an efficient and capable ruler, known for his military exploits, his love for poetry and his devotion to the God Siva, to whom he erected many temples.

Parameswaravarman I
Pallava Monarch
Reign	c. 668 - 690 CE
Predecessor	Mahendravarman II
Successor	Narasimhavarman II
Issue	Narasimhavarman II
Dynasty	Pallava
Father	Mahendravarman II

Pallava Monarchs (200s–800s CE)
Virakurcha	(??–??)
Vishnugopa I	(??–??)
Vishnugopa II	(??–??)
Simhavarman III	(??–??)
Simhavishnu	575–600
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
v t e

Reign

Parameswaravarman's reign was marked by revived conflicts with the Chalukyas, led by Vikramaditya I who had fought against his grandfather and was now allied with many rulers . In 674 CE, the two armies met at Peruvalanallur near Tiruchirappalli and Parameswaravarman was victorious stupendously despite facing a huge coalition.^[2][3][4]

Military career

According to the Honnur plates of Chalukya Vikramaditya I, dated in his 16th regnal year (circa 670 A.D. -671 A.D.), he camped in Malliyur on his way to Kanchipuram and with the help of the Gangas of Talakkad defeated the Pallavas.^[5]

Battle of Vilande

To avenge the defeat, the Pallava king first waged a war against the Ganga ruler Bhuvikrama, the supporter of the Chalukyas. From the Bedirur grant of Bhuvikrama and Hallegere plates of his brother and successor Sivamara, it is known that in this battle, which occurred at a place called Vilande, Paramesvaravarman I not only faced defeat in the hands of Bhuvikrama, but he was also deprived of his royal necklace.^[6]

Battle of Peruvallanallur

As a result of this aggressive policy of Paramesvaravarman I, he was again attacked by the Chalukyan king Vikramaditya I and seized Kanchipuram after defeating him. According to the Chalukyan records Vikramaditya seems to have pushed on to the south, and he was encamped at Uragapura (Uraiyur) on the south bank of the Kaveri river on April 25 A.D. 674. Where he was opposed by Paramesvaravarman I and the Pandyan king Kochchadaiyan Ranadhira, near Trichinopoly a battle was fought at Peruvalanallur. And the Kendur plates say that Vikramaditya I, fought with the Pandyas.We have also Supposed that Pandya king was one of the three confederates who gained the victory at Peruvallanallur. Pallava and Pandya records equally claim that, in this battle the Chalukyas was defeated.The Velvikudi copper plates mention Ranadhira victory over the Karnatas(i.e.,Chalukyas). And bore the title of (Madurakarunatakan).^[7][4][8] Based on these evidences, scholars such as D. C. Sircar theorize that Vikramaditya fought against the Pallavas as a subordinate of his brothers, and ascended the throne only after their deaths.^[9] The term "three kings" apparently refers to the Chola, Chera, and Pandya rulers who had allied with the Pallavas.^[10]Vikramaditya evidently had now against him a combination of Pallavas, Pandyas and Cholas.^[4]

Aftermath

Paramesvaravarman then sent an expedition into the Chalukya country. In the ensuing Battle of Puruvalanallur in 674 with Vikramaditya's forces, the Pallavas defeated the Chalukyas.^[11] The defeated Chalukyan army was led by Vikramaditya's son and grandson Vinayaditya and Vijayaditya.Pallava king Paramesvaravarman must have mustered his forces and sought the assistance of the Chola, Pandya and Chera of South India in order to give a crushing blow to their common enemy Vikramaditya.The Kanchipuram Inscriptions state that Rajasimha was son of Ugradanda the destroyer of Ranarasika's city and that epithet Ranarasika reffer to chalukya king Vikramaditya.^[12] The combined forces of these four powers entered the Chalukyan territory and probably sacked and captured Vatapi ' the city of Ranarasika ’ on this occasion.^[6][12] Pallavas went on to occupy many of the Chalukya territories but later left after the chalukyas agreed to pay yearly tributes . After They were routed by Vinayaditya probably in A. D. 678–79, when he was nominated lo the throne as indicated by his Jejuri plates and the Togarchedu grant.^{[3][4][13][14]}

He was succeeded by his son Narasimhavarman II also called Rajasimha in 695 CE.

Parameswaravarman I Pallava dynasty
Preceded by Mahendravarman II	Pallava dynasty 670–695	Succeeded by Narasimhavarman II