• There does not appear to have been a significant gap in the history of the Pallavas during the fifth century, though it was likely the most troubled and eventful period.

• Previous scholars have not provided a connected, continuous, and plausible account of this period.

• The confusing dynastic lists in the numerous charters from this period have been perplexing to earlier writers.

• Each scholar has produced their own scheme of the genealogy and chronology of the Pallavas, but none were fully satisfied with their conclusions.

• The records of this period will be examined afresh to arrive at a more satisfactory scheme of chronology for the later Pallavas, particularly their Sanskrit charters.

The Amarāvati Stone Pillar Inscription

• A stone inscription of a certain Simhavarman of the Pallava dynasty was found at Amarāvati and is deposited in the Madras Museum.

• The inscription begins with an invocation to the Lord Buddha and includes a mythical genealogy of the Pallava dynasty from Brahman to the eponymous Pallava, similar to the Vayalur pillar inscription, Vēlārpālayam, and Kāsākudi copper-plates.

• It narrates the romantic union of Asvatthāman with the celestial nymph Madanī and the birth of Pallava in a manner similar to the Rāyakoța plates of Skandas isya.

• The inscription lists a succession of seven kings, including:

  1. Mahendravarman

  2. Simhavarman I

  3. Arkavarman

  4. Ugravarman

  5. Simhavişnu

  6. Nandivarman

  7. Simhavarman II (the donor).

• The genealogy in the inscription does not align with the pedigrees in other Sanskrit copper-plate records.

• The Amarāvati inscription is not dated but is assigned to around the tenth or eleventh century based on palaeographical grounds.

• The presence of names like Mahendravarman, Simhavişnu, and Nandivarman, who are known to have reigned after the last quarter of the sixth century, at an earlier date has caused confusion, leading historians to dismiss the inscription as untrustworthy.

• Despite these issues, the record seems to contain a historical fact: Simhavarman II, after a successful expedition to the North, came to Dhanyakataka (Amaravati), worshipped the Buddha, and made a donation by setting up a statue of the Buddha.

• This Simhavarman II is distinct from the two other Simhavarmans known from earlier Sanskrit copper-plates.

• The inscription identifies him as a worshipper of the Buddha and refers to his successful expedition to the North.

• Further questions arise about the identity of this Simhavarman, the duration of his reign, and the occasion for his expedition to the North.