Pallavas – Origins and Rulers

Introduction

Pallavas were the renowned ruling dynasty in Southern India. The kingdom of Pallavas was spread from Kanchipuram to the River Kaveri. A continuous clash was going on between the Pallavas and the Chalukyas.

Their dynasty did not last very long and was finally replaced by the Chola and Rashtrakuta dynasties. In the time of Pallavas, they built many temples such as Mahabalipuram’s Shore Temple and Kanchipuram’s Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple.

Who were the Pallavas?

Pallavas were the formidable power of South India that was raised around the 4th century AD. They ruled India for around 500 years. The establisher of the Pallava dynasty was not clear but arose of the Pallavas was seen in the time ruling period of Simhavarman.

Mahendravarman was considered the tremendous ruler of the Pallava dynasty. He was a poet and his period was marked by the architectural achievements that became the basis of the future culture of the Southern part of India.

Origin of the Pallavas

Pallavas' origin was covered in mystery and many historians suggested various theories around it. Some historians stated that Pallavas were part of the people of Parthian who emigrated to the southern part of India. A handful of historians said that Pallavas were the mixture of different tribes that aroused a dynasty of Indigenous in the South region.

Some professionals explained them as the origin of Naga who started to live around the Tondaimandalam area near Madras. Some experts outlined that Pallavas were the ancestors of a prince of Chola and a princess of Manipallavam. Another theory stated that they were the Satavahanas’ feudatories.

The first king of the Pallavas governed during the start of the 4th century AD. There were around three provinces in South India by the 7th century AD that were competing for superiority namely the Badami’s Chalukyas, the Madurai’s Pandyas and Kanchipuram’s the Pallavas.

Pallava Dynasty: Extention

The dynasty of Pallava’s expansion was huge and they situated their capital at Kanchipuram. Their kingdom was extended from Andhra Pradesh’s northern part to the River Kaveri. The marginal state of the Choles was decreased by the Pallavas’ authority in the seventh century.

Narasimhavarman, the Pallava king captured the Vatapi (Badami) by defeating the Chalukyas. The Chalukyas, Pallavas, and Pandyas jointly crushed the uprising of Kalabhra. The Kalabhras were complaining about the Brahamadeya to Brahmanas that were created by the three kingdoms’ Brahmanic rulers.

Pallava Dynasty: Great Rulers

Image 1 − Rulers of the Pallava Dynasty

The empire of Pallavas was ruled by various extraordinary leaders.

Some of them were

• Sivaskanda Varman − Sivaskanda Varman was thought about as the greatest leader of the Pallava dynasty. He led the empire at the start of the 4th century AD. He could perform Ashwamedha and various Vedic sacrifices. He was also the viceroy of Samudragupta.

• Simhavishnu − Simhavishnu's period of the ruling was from 575 AD to 600 AD and His reliogion was Buddhism. He added Sri Lanka to his empire and defeated the ruler of Tamil. The past of the Pallava was presumed a significant feature from this leader onwards.

• Mahendravarman − Simhavishnu was the father of Mahendravarman. Mahendravarman ruled the kingdom from 600 AD to 630 AD. He changed his religion to Saivism but before that he was Jain.

  He wrote the Vichitrachita and Mahavilasa Prahasana. Mahendravarman first presented the architecture of rock-cutting temples. A conflict was ongoing between him and Pulakesin II of the Chalukya dynasty. He passed away in a war with the Chalukyas but he was a worthwhile leader.

• Narasimhavarman − Narasimhavarman was the son of Mahendravarman and was assumed to be the greatest leader among the Pallavas who started his journey in 630 AD. He was also familiar with Narasimhavarman Mahamalla.

  Narasimhavarman took control of Chalukya’s capital Vatapi after killing Pulakesin II in the year 642 AD and presumed the ‘Vatapikonda’ title. He conquered the Pandyas, Cholas and Cheras. A naval excursion was sent to Sri Lanka by him and returned the Sinhalese Prince Manivarma.

  He situated the Mahabalipuram city after his name. Hiuen Tsang came to India during his ruling time and stated in his book that the citizen of this kingdom was happy. He also described the abundance of the products of agriculture. Later the son of Narasimhavarman, Mahendravarman II succeeded the throne and served the Pallava dynasty from 668 AD to 670 AD.

• Parameswaravarman − Parameswaravarman was the son of Mahendravarman II and became a king after the death of his father. The Chalukyas captured the Kanchipuram during his ruling period.

Conclusion

It was assumed that the dynasty of Pallava began at the onset of the fourth century AD and gained its glory around the 7th century AD during the ruling time of Mahendravarman. He advanced architecture and presented rock-cut temples. In this time many temples were built that became the future art of South India. There were many theories about the origin of the Pallavas. Some pointed them as a branch of Naga some said that they were part of Parthian.

FAQs

Q1.Who were the Cholas?

Ans.The Tamil dynasty was known as Cholas governed South India during the 10th and 13th centuries. They settled their kingdom on the fertile bank of the river Kaveri and situated its capital at Uraiyur. The most famous leader among the Cholas was Karikala Chola.

Q2.Who destroyed the Pallava dynasty?

Ans.The dynasty of Pallava was destroyed by Aditya, king of Chola in the year 897 CE and he defeated the last Pallava king Aparajitavarman. After that, the Cholas established their kingdom and this ended the supremacy of the Cholas.

Q3.Who was the last leader of the dynasty of Pallava?

Ans.The last leader of the dynasty of the Pallava was Aparajitavarman. He was murdered during the war with the Cholas. The Cholas were the minor allies of the Pallava who eventually attacked the Pallava and killed Aparajitavarman.