War in Ancient India c10.91

c10.91

According to the Kāśikuḍi plates, Simhaviṣṇu, the father of Mahēndravarman, led an expedition to Ceylon and completely defeated its king who was proud of the strength of his arms.⁵⁹ During the days of Narasimhavarman I the confused politics of Ceylon made Mānavamma seek the help of the Pallava king, who in recognition of the help given by the Ceylonese prince in his conquest of Pulakēśin II, twice supplied Mānavamma with an army to invade Ceylon. The second expedition was marked by signal success, as a result of which Narasimhavarman occupied Ceylon. According to the Kāśikuḍi plates, the conquest of Ceylon by Narasimhavarman excelled the glory of Rāma's conquest of that island.⁶⁰ Nṛpatunga appears to have helped the Pāṇḍya king Śrī Māra in the latter's expedition to Ceylon.⁶¹ According to the Vāyalūr pillar inscription, there seems to be an indirect but certain reference to the conquest of the Laccadive islands by Rājasimha.⁶² Negapatam and Māmallapuram appear to have served as naval bases during the days of the Pallavas; and during that period culture and commercial contacts continued to be maintained in the Far East. This is evidenced by the Nandikkalambakam and the Takuapa inscription.⁶³ The ship type of coins of the Pallavas is another evidence of their naval activities.