The Pallava Dynasty was located in the South Indian subcontinent. The span of Pallavas’s reign was from 275 CE to 897 C.E. They were the most influential rulers of South India and contributed enormously in the fields of religion, philosophy, art, coins and architecture. Pallavas were at their peak during the reign of Mahendravarman I and Narasimhavarman I. Throughout their rule in Tondaimandalam, they were in constant conflict with both Chalukyas of Badami in the north and the Tamil kingdom of Cholas and Pandyas in the south. They are most remembered for their shore temple architecture. In this article, we will discuss the Pallavas (275CE-897CE) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Political History of Pallava Dynasty

• The Pallavas' origins are shrouded in mystery. Historians have proposed a number of theories.
• According to some historians, they are a branch of the Parthian people (an Iranian tribe) who gradually migrated to South India.
• Some claim they are an indigenous dynasty that arose in the Southern region and was a mash-up of various tribes.
• Some experts believe they are of Naga origin and first settled near Madras in the Tondaimandalam region.
• Another theory holds that they are the offspring of a Chola prince and a Naga princess from Manipallavam (Sri Lanka).
• Others believe that the Pallavas were feudatories of the Satavahanas.
• The first Pallava kings ruled in the early fourth century AD.
• By the 7th century AD, three kingdoms vied for supremacy in southern India: the Chalukyas of Badami, the Pandyas of Madurai, and the Pallavas of Kanchipuram.

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Extent of the Pallava Dynasty

• Kanchipuram was the Pallava capital.
• At the height of their power, their territories stretched from northern Andhra Pradesh to River Kaveri in the south.
• The Pallavas' authority reduced the Cholas to a marginal state in the seventh century.
• The Pallava king Narasimhavarman occupied Vatapi (Badami) after defeating the Chalukyas.
• The Pandyas, Chalukyas, and Pallavas all worked together to crush the Kalabhra uprising.
• The Kalabhras were protesting against the Brahmanic rulers of the three dynasties' numerous land grants (Brahamadeya) to Brahmanas.

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Rulers of Pallava Empire

• Sivaskanda Varman (4th Century AD)
  • He was the most powerful of the early rulers. Ruled at the start of the fourth century AD.
  • In 283 CE, Sivaskandavarman of Kanchi, a Pallava king who ruled from 275 to 300 CE, issued the charter.
  • Ashwamedha and other Vedic sacrifices were performed by him.
• Simhavarman/Simhavishnu (575-600 AD)
  • Simhavishnu was the line's first ruler. Simhavishnu defeated the Kalabhras, laying the groundwork for the "Age of the Imperial Pallavas."
  • He also defeated the Chola, Pandya, and Chera kingdoms' rulers.
  • He ruled over the entire region between the Krishna and the Kaveri rivers. He was a Vishnu worshipper with the title Avanishimha (lion of the earth).
  • According to literary tradition, the great poet Bharavi paid him a visit at his court.
• Mahendravarman (600-630 AD)
  • Mahendravarman I, Simhavishnu's son, succeeded him. He was a multi-talented genius. He was a soldier and statesman, as well as a religious reformer, architect, poet, and musician.
  • His titles included Mattavilasa, Chitrakarapuli, Vichitrachitta, Gundabhara, and Lalitankura. During this time, the long-running Pallava-Chalukya conflict began.
  • Pulakesin II defeated Mahendravarman I near Kanchi in a battle known as Pullalur.
  • Pulakesin II was almost at the Pallava capital, but Mahendravarman bought peace by ceding their Northern provinces to Pulakesin II.
• Narasimhavarman I (630-668 AD)
  • Narasimhavarman I was the greatest of the Pallavas, elevating the dynasty's power and prestige to incredible heights. He was known as Mahamalla or Mamalla, which means "great wrestler."
  • His father started the Pallava-Chalukya conflict, which he successfully continued. He wished to avenge his father's defeat at the hands of Chalukyan ruler Pulakesin II.
  • In three battles, including one in Manimangalam near Kanchi in 642 CE, he defeated Pulakesin II.
  • Pulakesin II died, and Narasimhavarman took the title Vatapikonda in his place (the conqueror of Vatapi).

Major Literary Works of Pallava Dynasty

• The Pallavas were great supporters of education. Kanchi, their capital, was an ancient centre of learning. Kanchi's Ghatika was well-known, attracting students from all over India and abroad.
• Mayurasarman, the founder of the Kadamba dynasty, studied Vedas in Kanchi. Dinganaga, a Buddhist writer, came to Kanchi to study.
• Kanchi was the home of Dharmapala, who later became the President of Nalanada University.
• Bharavi, the great Sanskrit scholar, lived during Simhavishnu's reign.
• Another Sanskrit writer, Dandin, graced the court of Narasimhavarman II.
• The Sanskrit play Mattavilasa Prahasana was written by Mahendravarman I.
• Tamil literature had also grown during this period.
• During this time, music and dance flourished as well.
• Tamil devotional saints used music and dance to bring the "concept of compassionate God" to life.
• Religious hymns were sung with music and dance accompaniment.

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Art and Architecture of Pallava Dynasty

• The religious revival of the time provided impetus for architectural activity. The Pallavas made enormous contributions to Indian art and architecture.
• In fact, the Pallavas were the forefathers of the Dravidian style of Indian architecture in the south. It was a gradual progression from cave temples to monolithic Rathas, culminating in structural temples.
• The Pallavas had also aided in the advancement of sculpture. Beautiful sculptures adorn the walls of the Mandapas.
• The sculpture at Mamallapuram depicting the "Descent of Ganges or the Penance of Arjuna" is a masterpiece of classical art.
• Music, dance, and painting had also flourished under the Pallavas' patronage. The paintings in the Sittannavasal caves date from the Pallava period.

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Decline of Pallavas

• The attack and temporary occupation of Kanchi by Vikramaditya II may be regarded as the beginning of the end of Pallava supremacy over South India.
• The Pallava kingdom was attacked by the Pandyas, the western Gangas, and the Rashtrakutas.
• Dantidurga, the founder of the Rashtrakuta Kingdom, defeated Nandivarman, but the latter offered his daughter Reva in marriage to the former, preventing the Pallava Kingdom from collapsing.
• Pallava rule lasted until the end of the ninth century CE. The other rulers were Dantivarman (795 – 846 CE), Nandivarman III (846 – 869 CE), and Nripatunga (869 – 899 CE).
• The last Pallava king was Aparajitavarman (903 CE).
• Aditya I, the Chola king, defeated Aparjitavarman and took control of the Kanchi region. With this, the Pallava hegemony over South India came to an end.

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Conclusion

From 275 CE to 897 CE, the Pallavas established themselves as a formidable power in South India. They were able to maintain their rule for approximately 500 years. Pallava's fortunes declined after Narasimhavarman. The Chalukyan army invaded the Pallava kingdom and threatened Kanchipuram, its capital. Aparajitavarman was the last king of the Pallava dynasty, and his defeat by the Chola king brought the Pallava power to an end around the end of the 9th century.