The Historical Inscriptions of Southern India (collected till 1923) and Outlines of Political History c8.299

c8.299

A.D. 892. Two inscriptions from Dharmapuri, Salem District, shew the Noḷamba-Pallava chief Mahendra I called ‘Mahendrādhirāja’ ruling as far south as that place in the year stated. He claims to have destroyed the Bāṇa race. An inscription at Iggali states that the Western Gaṅga king Rāchamalla died in the course of a battle which he was fighting against the Noḷamba. These statements would seem to shew that after the battle of Sorēmati, whether it was a Noḷamba victory or defeat, the Noḷamba chief eventually got the upper hand. Then, for some reason, a quarrel broke out between Mahendra I and his suzerain the Gaṅga ruler. Both sides took up arms and a battle was fought which ended in a victory for Mahendra. The Noḷamba chief was then enabled to rule over the Gaṅgavāḍi territory—for a time at least. (E. I. x, 54–70 ; V. R. ii, Salem 74 ; 304 of 1901 ; E. R. 1913, p. 90 f; see below s.v. A.D. 897–98.)