History of the Pallavas of Kanchi c9.s2.85

c9.s2.85

As was already indicated, the actual dates and the duration of the individual reigns of the Pallava kings of this period are approximate so far. Obviously it is not possible for all the sixteen kings and more to have been on the Pallava throne within the short period of about 200 years (A.D. 350 to 550). It is evident from the charters themselves that certain members of the dynasty referable to this period were simply Yuvamahārājas or princes only, as in the case of Viṣṇugopa—the prince of the Uruvapalli plates. We have already indicated the facts known regarding Kālabhartṛ (Kumāraviṣṇu) and Chūta-pallava (Skandavarman) from the copper-plates of this period. We have shown that Chūta-pallava alias Skandavarman might have been the chief who married the Nāga princess and acquired simultaneously a wife and a kingdom. His son was Virakūrcha, identical probably with Virakūrchavarman of the Darśi fragment.¹ His son was Skandavarman (II) the donor of Ōmgōḍu plates who is described in this record as one ‘who was true to his word, who day by day increased religious merit by gift of cows, gold and land, and who always desired to serve Gods and Brahmans, and ably understood the purport of all Śastras.’ From the date of the engraving of the grant which is mentioned as the Vijayasamvatsare-trayatrimśe (that is in the victorious year thirty-three which was the third fortnight of the winter and the thirteenth day) we may conclude that Skandavarman’s reign lasted at least for thirty-three years.