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    The Pallavas emerged as a powerful dynasty in South India around the 4th century AD, ruling for about 500 years from their capital of Kanchipuram. They built great cities, temples, and sculptures and spread South Indian culture to Southeast Asia. The origins of the Pallavas are unclear but several theories exist. They established control over a large area of South India by the 7th century and produced notable rulers like Mahendravarman I, Narasimhavarman I, and others who expanded the empire. Pallava society was based on Hinduism and Sanskrit, solidifying Aryan cultural influence in the South.

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    The Pallavas emerged as a powerful dynasty in South India around the 4th century AD, ruling for about 500 years from their capital of Kanchipuram. They built great cities, temples, and sculptures and spread South Indian culture to Southeast Asia. The origins of the Pallavas are unclear but several theories exist. They established control over a large area of South India by the 7th century and produced notable rulers like Mahendravarman I, Narasimhavarman I, and others who expanded the empire. Pallava society was based on Hinduism and Sanskrit, solidifying Aryan cultural influence in the South.

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    75 views12 pages

    PALLAVAS

    Uploaded by

    dimitri
    The Pallavas emerged as a powerful dynasty in South India around the 4th century AD, ruling for about 500 years from their capital of Kanchipuram. They built great cities, temples, and sculptures and spread South Indian culture to Southeast Asia. The origins of the Pallavas are unclear but several theories exist. They established control over a large area of South India by the 7th century and produced notable rulers like Mahendravarman I, Narasimhavarman I, and others who expanded the empire. Pallava society was based on Hinduism and Sanskrit, solidifying Aryan cultural influence in the South.

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    PALLAVAS

    • The Pallavas emerged as a formidable power in


    the South around the 4th century AD and were
    at the height of their power in the seventh
    century AD.
    • They were able to sustain their rule for about
    500 years.
    • They built great cities, centres of learning,
    temples and sculptures and influenced a large
    part of Southeast Asia in culture
    ORIGINS

    • The origins of the Pallavas are shrouded in mystery. There are several theories
    propounded by historians.
    • Some historians say they are a branch of the Pahlavas of the Parthians who moved to
    the South.
    • Some say they are an indigenous dynasty that arose within the Southern region and
    were a mix of various tribes.
    • Some experts believe them to be of Naga origin who first settled around the
    Tondaimandalam region near Madras.
    • Another theory says that they are descendent from a Chola prince and a Naga princess
    of Manipallavam (an island off Jaffna, Sri Lanka).
    • Some others are of the opinion that the Pallavas were feudatories of the Satavahanas.
    • The first Pallava kings ruled during the beginning of the 4th century AD. By the 7th
    century AD, there were three kingdoms in southern India vying for supremacy namely
    the Chalukyas of Badami, the Pandyas of Madurai and the Pallavas of Kanchipuram.
    Extent

    • The Pallava capital was Kanchipuram.


    • Their territories at the height of their powers extended from
    northern part of Andhra Pradesh to River Kaveri in the South.
    • During the seventh century, the Cholas were reduced to a
    marginal state by the authority of the Pallavas.
    • Vatapi (Badami) was occupied by the Pallava king
    Narasimhavarman who defeated the Chalukyas.
    • The Kalabhra uprising was crushed by the Pandyas, Chalukyas
    and the Pallavas jointly. The Kalabhras were protesting against
    the numerous land grants (Brahamadeya) to Brahmanas
    made by the Brahmanic rulers of the three dynasties.
    • Sivaskanda Varman
    • Greatest among the early rulers. Ruled in the beginning of
    the 4th century AD.
    • Performed Ashwamedha and other Vedic sacrifices.
    •  
    • Simhavarman/Simhavishnu (Reign: 575 AD – 600 AD)
    • Was a Buddhist.
    • Included Sri Lanka in his kingdom.
    • Defeated the contemporary Tamil ruler. Pallava history
    assumes a definite character from this ruler onwards.
    Mahendravarman (Reign: 600 AD – 630 AD)

    • Succeeded Simha vishnu who was his father.


    • He was a poet and composed Vichitrachita and
    Mahavilasa Prahasana.
    • He introduced rock cut temple architecture.
    • Was a Jain who converted to Saivism.
    • Had on-going rivalry and battles with Pulakesin II
    of Chalukya dynasty.
    • Mahendravarman died in battle with the
    Chalukyas. He was an able and efficient ruler.
    Narasimhavarman I (630 AD – 668 AD)
    • Son and successor of Mahendravarman.
    • Considered the greatest of the Pallavas. Also called Narasimhavarman
    Mahamalla/Mamalla.
    • Defeated and killed Pulakesin II in 642 AD. He took control of Vatapi, the
    Chalukya capital and assumed the title ‘Vatapikonda’.
    • Also vanquished the Cholas, Cheras and the Pandyas.
    • He sent a naval expedition to Sri Lanka and reinstated the Sinhalese Prince
    Manivarma.
    • He founded the city of Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram which is named after
    him.
    • Hiuen Tsang visited the Pallava kingdom during his reign in about 640 AD and
    he describes the people living in his kingdom as happy.
    • He also says there was an abundance of agricultural products.
    • Great Nayannar saints like Appar, Tirugnanasambandar and Siruthondar lived
    during his reign.
    • He was succeeded by his son Mahendravarman II who ruled from 668 to 670
    AD.
    Later rulers

    • After Mahendravarman II, his son


    Parameswaravarman became the king.
    • During his rule, Kanchipuram was occupied by
    the Chalukyas.
    • Nripatunga was an important king who defeated
    a Pandya king.
    • There were a few other rulers. The last ruler of
    the Pallava dynasty was Aparajitavarman who
    was killed in battle with the Cholas.
    Society & Culture

    • The Pallava society was based on Aryan culture.


    • Brahmins were greatly patronised by the kings and they received
    land and villages. This was called Brahmadeya. The Brahmin status
    greatly enhanced during this reign. The caste system became rigid.
    • The Pallava kings were orthodox Hindus and worshipped Shiva and
    Vishnu. They were tolerant of Buddhism and Jainism too although
    both these faiths lost their relevance and popularity.
    • Kanchipuram was a great centre of learning. The University of
    Kanchi played a great part in the propagation of Aryan culture in
    the South. It can be said that the aryanisation of southern India
    was completed during the Pallava reign.
    • Vatsyayana who wrote Nyaya Bhashya was a teacher at Kanchi University
    (Ghatika).
    • Bharavi and Dandin lived in Pallava courts. Bharavi wrote Kiratarjuneeyam.
    Dandin composed Dashakumaracharita. Both were masterpieces.
    • The Vaishnava and Saiva literature flourished during this period.
    • Sanskrit was the chief language among the royals and the scholars.
    • Some of the inscriptions are in a mix of Tamil and Sanskrit.
    • Vedic traditions were superimposed on the local ones.
    • Many Tamil saints belonging to either Saivite (Nayannars) or the
    Vaishnavaite (Alwars) sects lived during the 6th and 7th centuries. Saivite
    saints: Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar and Manikkawasagar. Vaishnava saint:
    Andal (only female Alwar saint).These saints composed hymns in Tamil.
    • Dancers were being maintained by all big temples.
    • There were three types of places during this time:
    • 1. Ur: were peasants lived and was headed by a headman
    who collected and paid the taxes.
    2. Sabha: land granted to Brahmins and was also called
    Agrahara villages. These were tax-free.
    3. Nagaram: were merchants and traders resided.
    • During the Pallava period, Hindu culture spread to many
    places in Southeast Asia as well. Pallava influence is evident
    from the ancient architecture seen in Cambodia and Java.
     

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