Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitt

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Question

Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta' and 'Gunabhara'?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: A - Mahendravarman IStep-by-step Solution:Mahendravarman I (c. 571-630 CE) was a prominent ruler of the Pallava dynasty of South India, ruling from Kanchipuram (modern Tamil Nadu). He is one of the most celebrated Pallava kings and is known for his multifaceted personality as a warrior, poet, musician, architect, and religious thinker.Mahendravarman I assumed several distinctive epithets (birudas) that reflected his artistic and intellectual accomplishments: Mattavilasa - 'the sportive' or 'one of gay disposition'; Vichitrachitta - 'of versatile mind' or 'of wonderful mind'; Gunabhara - 'repository of virtues'. He also bore other titles such as Chitrakaarapuli (painter-tiger) and Sankirna Jati (of mixed taste). He authored the Sanskrit farce Mattavilasa Prahasana, a satirical play depicting a drunken Shaiva ascetic - demonstrating his literary genius. He initially followed Shaivism but converted from Jainism, as evidenced by inscriptions at Mandagapattu. He pioneered rock-cut temple architecture by commissioning the first structural rock-cut temples in the Dravidian style.Why other options are incorrect:Option B (Simhavishnu): Simhavishnu was the father of Mahendravarman I and the founder of the imperial Pallava dynasty. He bore different titles and is known for his military conquests, including campaigns against the Kalabhras. He did not bear these specific epithets. ✗Option C (Narasimhavarman I): Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla) was the son of Mahendravarman I and is famous for his military victories against the Chalukya ruler Pulakesi II and for the Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) shore temples and the title 'Mamalla' (great wrestler). He did not bear these specific titles. ✗Option D (Simhavarman): This name refers to earlier Pallava rulers; the specific titles mentioned are distinctively associated with Mahendravarman I. ✗Key Concept: Pallava Dynasty (3rd-9th century CE): Established in Kanchipuram, South India. Major rulers: Simhavishnu (founder of imperial Pallavas) → Mahendravarman I → Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla) → Parameshvaravarman I → Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha). Contributions of Mahendravarman I: First rock-cut temples (Mandagapattu cave temple inscription declares 'built without mortar, wood, metal or brick'); Musical treatise Kudumiyamalai inscription; Play Mattavilasa Prahasana - satirises Shaiva, Jain, and Buddhist monks. Narasimhavarman I: Defeated Pulakesi II of Chalukyas; Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) monuments - Pancha Rathas, Shore Temple. Pallavas were patrons of Tamil and Sanskrit literature; under them, Bharavi (Kiratarjuniya) and Dandin (Dasakumaracharita) flourished.

Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta' and 'Gunabhara'?

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Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta' and 'Gunabhara'?

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