The Pallavas

A dynasty that laid the cultural foundation of Tamil Nadu and built enduring architectural wonders.

🔁 Historical Background: Rise from the Ashes of Sangam

After the glorious Sangam Age, a dark cloud hovered over Tamilakam. By late 3rd century CE, the once-prominent Chola, Chera, and Pandya dynasties had faded, and a relatively obscure group called the Kalabhras took over.

But history doesn’t allow a vacuum for too long. By the 6th century CE, two powers rose to restore order:

• The Pallavas in northern Tamil Nadu
• The Pandyas in the south

🏛️ Origins and Capital

• The Pallavas initially served as feudatories of the Satavahanas. After their decline, the Pallavas emerged independently and ruled large parts of northern Tamil Nadu and Kerala from the 3rd to 9th century CE.
• Their political base was Tondaimandalam, between the Pennar and Vellar rivers.
• Their capital was Kanchipuram, a city that became a major political, cultural, and religious hub.

⚔️ Pallava–Chalukya Conflict

👑 Mahendravarman I (600–630 CE)

• Strengthened the Pallava power after Simhavishnu.
• Initiated a long conflict with the Chalukyas, especially over territory between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers.
• Defeated by Pulakesin II of the Chalukyas.
• Interestingly, started as a Jain, but later converted to Shaivism under the influence of Appar (Thirunavukkarasar).
• Built a Shaiva temple at Tiruvadi.

👑 Narasimhavarman I (630–668 CE) – The Conqueror of Vatapi

• Son of Mahendravarman I.
• Avenged his father’s defeat by defeating and killing Pulakesin II, and captured Vatapi (Badami). Earned the title “Vatapikonda”.
• Launched successful military campaigns against the Cholas, Cheras, Kalabhras, and Pandyas.
• Sent a naval expedition to Sri Lanka to help his friend Manavarma regain the throne.
• Known as Mamalla (great wrestler)—he founded Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), which became a centre of Pallava architecture.

👑 Narasimhavarman II / Rajasimha (700–728 CE)

• A peaceful reign, marked more by cultural brilliance than war.
• Sent ambassadors to China—a sign of international diplomacy.
• Patron of literature and architecture:
  • Built the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram.
  • Built Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram.
  • Patronised the Sanskrit scholar Dandin.

⚔️ Relations with Other Dynasties

🛡️ Kadambas

• Pallavas clashed with Kadambas (rulers of northern Karnataka and Konkan).
• A legend surrounds Mayurasharman, the Kadamba founder. He came to Kanchi for education, but a dispute led him to take up arms.
• He defeated the Pallavas, and was later granted formal recognition, including the royal insignia.
• He reportedly performed 18 Ashvamedha Yajnas and generously donated villages to Brahmanas.

🛡️ Western Ganga Dynasty

• Rulers of southern Karnataka (Talakkad, near Mysore).
• Often Pallava feudatories, playing the role of important regional allies or buffers.
• Capital initially at Kolar (notable for gold mines), later shifted to Talakkad on the Kaveri River.
• Distinguished from the Eastern Gangas of Kalinga.

🔚 Decline of the Pallavas

• By the late 9th century, the Pallavas began to weaken.
• Their last ruler, Aparajita, was defeated by Aditya I, the Chola king, who captured Kanchi in either 897 or 903 CE, depending on historical accounts.
• With this, the Cholas replaced the Pallavas, marking a new chapter in Tamil history.

📚 Pallava Contribution to Literature

The Pallava court was intellectually vibrant. Let’s meet some literary figures:

✍️ Mahendravarman I

• A playwright-king.
• Wrote two Sanskrit plays:
  • Mattavilasa Prahasana – a satirical comedy that mocks the oddities in Shaivite, Jain, and Buddhist practices.
  • Bhagavadajjuka – another religious farce.

✍️ Bharavi (6th century CE)

• Wrote the epic poem Kiratarjuniya, depicting the battle between Arjuna and Lord Shiva in disguise.

✍️ Dandin

• Court scholar of Rajasimha.
• Known for:
  • Dashakumaracharita (Ten Princes’ Adventures)
  • Kavyadarsha (Mirror of Poetry), a seminal treatise on Sanskrit poetics.

🔎 Summary Table of Key Rulers

Ruler	Reign	Significance
Mahendravarman I	600–630 CE	Defeated by Pulakesin II; authored satirical Sanskrit plays
Narasimhavarman I	630–668 CE	Defeated Pulakesin II; built Mamallapuram
Rajasimha (Narasimhavarman II)	700–728 CE	Peaceful reign; temple-building; diplomatic ties with China
Aparajita	880–897/903 CE	Defeated by Aditya I of the Cholas

🧘 Pallava Legacy

• Architectural Wonders: Mahabalipuram’s rock-cut temples, Shore Temple, Kailasanatha temple.
• Literature and Drama: Court scholars like Dandin; royal authors like Mahendravarman.
• Religious Harmony: Though Shaivism flourished, Jain and Buddhist influences persisted.

🧠 Conclusion

The Pallavas, much like a well-rooted tree, absorbed the best from their past (Satavahanas), bore cultural fruits (temples, literature), and set the foundation for future dynasties like the Cholas. Their legacy lives on in stone, poetry, and the cultural memory of Tamil Nadu.