The Pallava rulers of Kanchi trace their roots to Parthians who, according to some accounts, had quit the Ganges area to rule Dravidian-speaking regions as southern India’s first emperors, displacing an early Chola dynasty from a narrow strip of the east coast and establishing their capital at Kanchipuram.

The Pallava dynasty under Mahendravarma rules an extensive kingdom bounded by the Kaveri and Krishna rivers.

Chalukya king Pulakesi II, after conquering Koshala and Kalinga, turns south with his army, crosses, the Krishna River, and marches on the Pallava capital at Kanchipuram.

Although Mahendravarman successfully repels the attack, he is forced to cede extensive northern territories to the Chalukyas.

Narasimhavarman succeeds Pallava king Mahendravarman at the latter’s death in 630.