📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I Q.14 | Classroom Explanation

(Ancient History)

📌 Question

Q.14) Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles
‘Mattavilasa’, ‘Vichitrachitta’ and ‘Gunabhara’?

(a) Mahendravarman I
(b) Simhavishnu
(c) Narasimhavarman I
(d) Simhavarman

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✅ Correct Answer: (a)

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This question tests knowledge of Pallava rulers, especially their royal titles, inscriptions, cultural achievements, and architectural contributions, a favourite UPSC area under South Indian dynasties.

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🔍 Key Concept: Mahendravarman I (Pallava Dynasty)

• Ruled approximately 600–630 CE
• One of the most versatile Pallava kings
• Known as a:

• Builder
• Scholar
• Artist
• Musician
• Playwright

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🔍 Why Mahendravarman I?

✅ Royal Titles

Mahendravarman I assumed multiple honorific titles, including:

• Mattavilasa
• Vichitrachitta
• Gunabhara

These titles reflect his:

• Intellectual brilliance
• Artistic temperament
• Patronage of culture

➡️ Hence, option (a) is correct.

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🔍 Architectural Contributions

• Pioneer of rock-cut temple architecture among the Pallavas
• Mandagappattu inscription:

• Hails him as Vichitrachitta
• Mentions a temple for Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva
• Built without bricks, timber, metal or mortar

• Major rock-cut cave temples:

• Mandagappattu
• Mahendravadi
• Vallam
• Dalavanur
• Pallavaram
• Tiruchirappalli

➡️ Marks the transition from brick temples to stone architecture

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🔍 Literary and Cultural Achievements

• Authored the Sanskrit satirical drama “Mattavilasa Prahasanam”
• His title Chitrakarapuli indicates excellence in painting
• Expert in music; played the Veena (Parivathini)
• Kudumianmalai music inscription is attributed to his reign

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🧮 Logical Elimination (UPSC Style)

• Other rulers:

• Simhavishnu → Founder of Pallava power, no such titles
• Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla) → Associated with Mamallapuram, not these titles
• Simhavarman → Earlier Pallava ruler

➡️ Only Mahendravarman I fits all descriptors.

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🎯 Final Answer

✅ Correct Answer: (a) Mahendravarman I

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📦 Info Box — Extra Points (Prelims Value Add)

• Mahendravarman I was the father of Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla)
• He initially followed Jainism, later converted to Shaivism
• His reign laid the cultural foundation for:

• Mamallapuram architecture
• Mature Pallava art under his successors

• Often described as a ruler who blended:

• Power
• Creativity
• Intellectual curiosity

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📍 GS Mapping

GS Paper I
Subject: Ancient History
Theme: Pallavas — Art, Architecture & Culture
Nature: Factual + Conceptual

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