The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c35.s4.19

c35.s4.19

The Pallava power and art attained their highest point in the reign of Mahendravarman's successor, Narasimha-varman I (*c.* A. D. 625–45). In A. D. 642 he enjoyed the satisfaction of taking Vātāpi, the capital of his enemy, Pulakēsin II, who presumably then lost his life. It is certain that the reverse was so crushing that the Chalukya power remained in abeyance for thirteen years, while the Pallava king became beyond dispute the most influential sovereign in the South, and extended his jurisdiction far into Mysore and the Deccan. The Pallava monarch received effective help in his enterprise from a Sinhalese prince named Mānavamma, who was subsequently enabled to seize the island crown by means of an army equipped by the grateful Indian king.¹