Mahendravarman I (600 - 630 CE) was the Pallava king ruling in the northern regions of Tamil nadu state in India. He was the son of Simhavishnu, who defeated the Kalabhras and re-established the Pallava kingdom. During his reign the Chalukya king Pulakesi II attacked the Pallava kingdom. The Pallava capital Kanchipuram was under siege and the Pallava army was defeated.

Mahendravarman was a great patron of letters and architecture. The construction of the famous rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram were started in his reign. He was also the author of the play Mattavilasaprahasana, a farce concerning Buddhist and Saiva ascetics. Mahendravarman was an adherent of the Jain faith and according to tradition he was converted back into the Hindu faith by the Saiva saint Appar after he cured Mahendravarman's illness.

Mahendravarman was succeeded to the throne by his more famous son Narasimhavarman I in 630 CE.

References

Indian monarchs