The Early Pallavas of Kanci
By K. G. Sankar
Summary
The paper "The Early Pallavas of Kanci" by N. G. Masympar aims to reconstruct the genealogy of the early Pallavas of Kanci (Kanchipuram) before Simhavishnu (c. 600 CE), addressing discrepancies in existing schemes by H. S. Krishnaswami Ayyangar and K. V. Sobrahmanya Ayyar, and Dr. D. Dubreuil. Masympar critiques Dubreuil’s reliance on the problematic Vayalar inscription, which repeats names and lacks clear relationships, and instead prioritizes 13 other documents—three in Prakrit and ten in Sanskrit—all belonging to the Bharadvaja gotra. Key documents include the Mayidavolu and Hirahadagalli plates (1st–2nd century CE), which mention Siva-Skandavarman and his father Bappadeva (an honorific, not a proper name). The Guntur plate (c. 3rd century CE) refers to a son of Vijaya-Buddhavarman, tentatively read as Buddhyankura. Later Sanskrit plates (4th–6th centuries CE) outline successions involving Skandavarman, Viravarman, Kumaravishnu, and Simhavishnu. The Velurpalaiyam plates (c. 6th century CE) clarify that Viravarman married a Naga princess, making him the dynasty’s first ruling king, with his grandson Kumaravishnu conquering Kanci from the Colas. The Amaravati pillar inscription traces a lineage from Mahendravarman to Simhavishnu. Masympar argues that earlier scholars misinterpreted the
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Conclusion
This study resolves longstanding discrepancies in early Pallava genealogy by critically re-examining 13 key inscriptions, challenging previous frameworks by Sastri and Dubreuil. The analysis demonstrates that the Vayalar inscription, despite its challenges, provides the most comprehensive lineage data when cross-referenced with other epigraphic evidence. The proposed reconstruction harmonizes conflicting accounts, establishing a clearer succession narrative from Kumaravisnu to Simhavishnu. By prioritizing chronological consistency and eliminating speculative connections, this work advances towards a definitive resolution of early Pallava dynasty genealogy, emphasizing the importance of rigorous inscriptional analysis in clarifying historical lineages.