[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [General history and culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general) › [History of the Pallavas of Kanchi](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.gopalan-1928) › c19.6 # History of the Pallavas of Kanchi c19.6 History of the Pallavas of Kanchi c19.6 - **Language:** English ### [c19.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.gopalan-1928.c19.6) There is no evidence in support of the assertion that Narasimhavarman Mahāmalla founded the town. The town had the vernacular name Mallai and in that name was known earlier, as Bhūtattālvār, a native of the place refers to the place by that name. Tirumangai Ālvar a contemporary of Nandivarman Pallavamalla refers to the place as \*kaḍal mallai-Talaśayanam\*, meaning Mallai close to the sea which is otherwise known \*Talaśayanam\*, lying on land. This last is in reference to Viṣṇu who is abed on the earth, as though on the sea usually, to let a devotee have a view of him in that posture. It was called \*kaḍal\* Mallai to distinguish it from other Mallais clearly indicating that it is an ordinary native name. This is distinct from the Māmallapuram given to it by Mahāmalla, as is very commonly the case in South India. The village Mallai became the city Māmallapuram by this rechristening. Pandit M. Raghavaiyangar has suggested, from a reference in the \*Śangam\* classic \*Perumbāṇārruppaḍai\*, the identification of this place with \*Nirpeyarttu\* in the poem in the \*Journal of Oriental Research\*. This term means that which has the name of water and the Pandit finds justification for it in the name \*Jalaśayanam\* given to the Shore-temple in one of the later inscriptions. Tirumangai Ālvar's reference is \*Talaśayanam\* and not \*Jalaśayanam\*. It would be difficult to find a reason for the alteration. It must also be noted that \*Jalaśayanam\* is given to the \*Śiva\* shrine in the inscription. While the Pandit deserves credit for the suggestion, \*Nir-peyarttu\* is more likely to refer to another place \*Tiru-Nir-Malai\* near Pallāvaram and the poem has to be examined closely to see whether this is the place actually meant. (See \*Indian Antiquary\*, 1917; \*The Antiquities of Mahābalipuram\*, pp. 49 ff.) - [Previous: c19.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.gopalan-1928.c19.5) - [Next: c19.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.gopalan-1928.c19.7) - [Up: c19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.gopalan-1928.c19) ## Linked texts (1) - [Indian Antiquary](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.epigraphy.corpora.ia) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.gopalan-1928.c19.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.gopalan-1928.c19.6) · Pramāṇa