📜 Pallava Dynasty (3rd–9th Century CE)
Famous South Indian power (3rd–9th CE).
Ruled northern Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Karnataka, Telangana.
Capital: Kanchipuram.
Patrons of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Buddhism, Jainism.
Supported music, painting, literature, Bhakti movement.
Feudatories of Satavahanas → became independent after Satavahana decline (Amaravati).
Gradually moved south, establishing Kanchipuram (4th CE).
Offshoots of the Satavahanas, served as feudatories.
Independent after Satavahanas’ decline (3rd century CE).
Capital: Kanchipuram (Kanchi).
Dominant in Tondaimandalam (Tamil Nadu + Andhra).
Constant rivals: Chalukyas (north), Cholas & Pandyas (south).
🔹 Sivaskandavarman (3rd CE)
First great Pallava ruler.
Performed Ashvamedha Yajna.
Ruled Kanchi & Andhrapatha.
🔹 Vishnugopa (4th CE)
Defeated by Samudragupta (Allahabad Pillar inscription).
🔹 Simhavishnu (575–600 CE)
Founder of Pallava greatness.
Defeated Pandyas, Cholas, Cheras, and ruler of Ceylon.
Patron of Sanskrit poet Bharavi.
🔹 Mahendravarman I (600–630 CE)
Defeated Kalabhras; converted from Jainism to Shaivism (influenced by Appar).
First to excavate rock-cut temples.
Authored Mattavilasa Prahasana (Sanskrit play).
Fought Pulakesin II (lost Vengi).
🔹 Narasimhavarman I (630–668 CE) – Mamallan
Greatest Pallava ruler.
Defeated & killed Pulakesin II; captured Vatapi → title Vatapikonda.
Founded Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram).
Sent naval expedition to Ceylon; restored throne of Manavarma.
Visited by Hiuen Tsang (640 CE).
🔹 Paramesvaravarman I (669–690 CE)
Patron of poetry & Shaivism.
🔹 Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha, 695–722 CE)
Built Shore Temple (Mahabalipuram), Kailasanatha Temple (Kanchi).
Patron of poet Dandin.
🔹 Nandivarman II (730–795 CE)
From a collateral line (not Simhavishnu’s).
Built Vaikuntha-Perumal Temple.
Patron of arts, philosophy, temple dance (Kutiyattam).
🔹 Dantivarman & Nandivarman III
Tried to check Pallava decline.
Maintained trade with Southeast Asia.
🔹 Aparajitavarman (880–897 CE)
Last ruler; killed by Aditya I (Chola).
Pallavas annexed by Cholas.
King: divine, hereditary.
Local assemblies: Ur (villagers), Sabha (Brahman settlements), Nagaram (merchants).
Variyam system: committees for self-government.
Revenue: mainly land tax.
Agriculture: backbone (irrigation tanks built).
Trade: with Java, Sumatra, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China, Burma.
Ports: Mamallapuram, Mylapore.
Merchants’ guilds: Manigramam, Nanadesi.
Caste system rigid; Brahmins gained land grants (Brahmadeya, Devadana).
Shaivism & Vaishnavism flourished (Bhakti saints: Nayanars, Alwars).
Decline of Buddhism & Jainism.
Performed Vedic sacrifices (Asvamedha, Tulabhara, Hiranyagarbha).
Sanskrit scholars: Bharavi, Dandin.
Tamil Bhakti: Tevaram (Appar, Sambandar), Nalayira Divya Prabandham (Alwars).
University of Kanchi (Ghatika) = centre of learning.
Pioneers of Dravidian style temple architecture.
Three phases:
Rock-cut cave temples (Mahendravarman I).
Monolithic Rathas (Narasimhavarman I, Mahabalipuram).
Structural temples (Shore Temple, Kailasanatha Temple).
UNESCO World Heritage: Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.