Maravarman Rajasimha I

Maravarman Rajasimha I (reigned c. 710 – 765 AD), also known as Pallavabhanjana,(Tamil:முதலாம் இராசசிம்மன்) was a Pandya king of early medieval south India. He was the son and successor of Ko Chadaiyan Ranadhira. He remembered for his important successes against the Pallavas and in the Kongu country.

Life and career Campaign against the pallavas Siege of Nandigrama When the Pallava king Parameswara II died in a battle with the Gangas, a crisis arose in the Pallava kingdom over succession. The Pallava officials then chose a young prince, Nandivarman II Pallavamalla, r. c. 731 - 96 AD, as the next monarch. Rajasimha espoused the cause of a son of Parameswara II (named Chitramaya) in this crisis. The grant also says that he defeated Nandivarman II in the Battle of Kuzhumbur. The siege was eventually raised by Pallava general Udayachandra (as mentioned in the Udayendiram Plates of Pallavamalla).

Even after defeating the Gangas in c. 760 AD, the Pallavas were unable to restrain the growing power of the Pandyas. The Malava king who suffered defeat gave his daughter in marriage to Rajasimha. It seems that the conquests of the Pandya extended up to Pandikkodumudi (Kodumudi). Subsequently, a Ganga princess was offered in marriage to a Pandya prince (a son of the Pandya king).