History of the Pallavas of Kanchi c12.13

c12.13

Here he is described as having constantly engaged himself in service of the king and proved his trustworthiness by many an act of bravery and loyalty. The *Mahāvaṃśa* mentions in great detail the various acts of Mānavamma, particularly his services to Narasimhavarman I in his wars against the Vallabha, the Chālukya king : how once king Vallabha came to make war against Narasimha and how the Pallava king with a view to test Manavamma left him at his capital city and proceeded to the battle-field alone, and how Manavamma’s affection caused him to leave the safety of the fortified capital and join his king in the field of battle in victory, defeat, or death. Such action was bound to increase Narasimha’s esteem for him, and it is therefore not surprising that when the Ceylon prince prepared to go back to his country Narasimhavarman I gave him a strong escort and an army with which he was able to secure the Ceylon throne. But this success did not last long. Soon after, his army deserted him and the Prince of Ceylon came back once more to seek the help of Narasimhavarman I. Again Narasimhavarman I gave him an army much bigger than before, and this time the Pallava king himself accompanied his troops as far as the harbour where his men went on board on their voyage to the shores of Ceylon. It is noteworthy that this naval expedition of Narasimhavarman I set sail from the ancient Pallava port, Mahābalipuram, which, according to contemporary account was a harbour at this time. It is worthy of note that Hiuen-Tsang¹ who stayed in the city for a considerable time (*circa* 642) recorded the fact that ships go to Ceylon from Kāñchi, and that it extended by twenty miles to the coast.² Tirumaṅgai Āḻvār also records that Mahābalipuram was a busy port in his hymns on this place and particularly notes that in its harbour ride at anchor ‘vessels bent