History of the Pallavas of Kanchi c5.13.1

c5.13.1

The narration of events above, it would have been noted, assumes the existence of a period of prosperity reflected in the Śangam literature anterior to the coming of the Pallavas of Kanchi into the region of Toṇḍamaṇḍalam. The assumption is based on evidence which an effort has been made to upset by another assumption without any valid evidence, we should say, of a Chola interregnum in the rule of the Pallavas of Kanchi on the basis of the statement that Kumāraviṣṇu II had to retake his capital from his enemies. The difficulties against accepting this assumption are many and fundamental; anything like a capture of Kanchi by the Cholas and even its retention in the hands of the Cholas for some little time till recapture by Kumāraviṣṇu, would hardly satisfy the conditions of the Chola Karikāla’s capture of Kanchi, because the Chola Karikāla is associated, in the Śangam literature so called, with a succession of rulers extending over three or four generations, during which since his conquest Kanchi remained a Chola viceroyalty. The provision of an interval of that length before Kumāraviṣṇu II retook Kanchi would be on the face of it impossible.