Pallava Dynasty
The Pallava Dynasty was a significant historical power that thrived along the east coast of South India, particularly in the regions now known as Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh. Centered around Kanchipuram, the dynasty's origins are somewhat obscure, with indications that they may have emerged from indigenous tribes in the Deccan. Their records were primarily written in Prākrit, and they are not mentioned in classical Tamil literature, suggesting a complex cultural identity that incorporated elements from surrounding regions.
The Pallavas ruled from approximately the 5th to the 8th centuries CE and are credited with considerable advancements in architecture, reflected in notable structures like the Shore Temple and various granite-carved temples at Mahabalipuram. They also played a crucial role in promoting religious practices across Jainism, Buddhism, and Brahmanism, along with fostering literature, arts, and music. Their influence extended beyond the Indian subcontinent, with ventures into Southeast Asia, including regions like Kamboja and Śrīvijaya.
The dynasty began to decline in the 8th century due to military pressure from neighboring kingdoms such as the Cālukyas and the Rāshtrakūtas, eventually leading to their annexation by the Cōḷas around 900 CE. Despite these challenges, Pallava princes continued to exist as local rulers until the 13th century, leaving a lasting legacy in Indian history and culture.
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Pallava Dynasty
Related civilization: India.
Date: c. 500-800 c.e.
Locale: India
Pallava Dynasty
The Pallava (PAH-lah-vah) Dynasty flourished on south India’s east coast between the Kisna and Penner Rivers, overlapping the modern Tamil Nādu in the south and southern Andhra Prakesh in the north and centering on the region surrounding the modern city Kanchipuram. Although of uncertain origin, the Pallavas did not speak a Dravidian language and all their records were kept in Prākrit, a simple form of Sanskrit. Classical Tamil literature of the Śaṅgam (or Caṅkam) age never refers to them, and local traditions speak of them as coming from the north.
The genealogy of the Pallavas is as disputed as their origins. They appear to have arisen out of indigenous Deccan tribes to the north, who moved into Andhra and then into Kanchi. Some sources identify a king Visnugopa who was defeated and then liberated the Gupta ruler Samudragupta (r. c. 330-c. 380 b.c.e.) in the middle of the fourth century c.e. A Pallava king Ṣiṃhavarman is mentioned in the Sanskrit Lokavibhāga as reigning from 436 c.e. John Keay, in his history of India, charts a line from Pallavas from Ṣimhavarman in the early fifth century c.e. to his son Viṣṇugopa to Siṃhaviṣṇnu (r. c. 555-590), Mahendravarman I (r. c. 590-630), Narasiṃhavarman I (r. c. 630-688), Mahendravarman II (r. c. 660-670), Parameśvaravarman I (r. c. 670-700), Narasiṃhavarman II (r. c. 695-728), Parameśvaravarman II (r. c. 728-731), and finally Nandivarman (r. c. 731-796).
Socially and culturally, the Pallavas adapted Dravidian and Tamil ways. They were notable patrons of religion (Jainism, Buddhism, and Brahmanism), philosophy, Sanskrit literature, music, and arts. However, they were especially noted for their achievements in architecture, such as the Shore Temple, other temples carved from granite, and the Varaha cave at Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram). They also encouraged overseas ventures and colonized areas of Hinterindia, Kamboja, Indonesia, Śrīvijaya, and Angkor.
In 740 c.e., the capture of Kanchi (Kanchipuram) by the contemporaneous kingdom of the Cālukyas to the northwest signaled the decline of the Pallava Dynasty. In 780 c.e., the Rāshtrakūtas broke their power and subjected the Pallavas to their rule. Around 900 c.e., the Pallava kingdom was annexed by the Cōḷas. Pallava princes continued as petty local chieftains until the thirteenth century.
Bibliography
Keay, John. India: A History. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2000.
Thaper, Romila. A History of India. Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1966.
Tinker, Hugh. South Asia: A Short History. New York: Praeger, 1966.
Walker, Benjamin. Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. London: George Allen and Unwin, 1968.