Chapter Info (Click Here)
Book No. – 18 (Ancient History)
Book Name – History – Higher Secondary – First Year – Tamil Nadu Board
What’s Inside the Chapter? (After Subscription)
1. CH11. Pallavas
1.1. Origin of the Pallavas
1.2. Political History
2. Narasimhavarman I (630-668 A.D.)
2.1. Administration of the Pallavas
2.2. Society under the Pallavas
2.3. Education and Literature
2.4. Pallava Art and Architecture
2.5. Fine Arts
3. CH12. Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas
3.1. Chalukyas (543 – 755 A.D.)
3.2. Pulakesin II (608-642 A.D.)
3.3. Administration and Social Life under the Chalukyas
3.4. Art and Architecture
3.5. Rashtrakutas (755-975 A.D.)
3.6. Administration
3.7. Society and Economy
3.8. Cultural Contributions
3.9. Art and Architecture
4. CH13. Imperial Cholas
4.1. Rajaraja 1 (985-1014 A.D.)
4.2. Rajendra I (1012-1044 A.D.)
4.3. Chola Administration
4.4. Socio-economic Life
4.5. Education and Literature
4.6. Art and Architecture
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History – Higher Secondary
Unit IV (Tamil Nadu Board)
CH11. Pallavas
Origin of the Pallavas
After the decline of the Sangam Age in the Tamil country, the Kalabhra rule lasted about 250 years.
The Pallavas then established their kingdom in Tondaimandalam with the capital at Kanchipuram.
Their rule continued until Tondaimandalam was captured and annexed by the Imperial Cholas in the early 10th century A.D.
There are different views on the origin of the Pallavas:
Some equate them with the Parthians, foreigners who ruled western India.
Another theory links them as a branch of the Brahmin royal dynasty of the Vakatakas of the Deccan.
A third theory connects them to the descendants of a Chola prince and a Naga princess from Manipallavam island.
These theories lack adequate evidence.
The widely accepted view is that the Pallavas were natives of Tondaimandalam.
They are identified with the Pulindas mentioned in Ashoka’s inscriptions.
When Tondaimandalam was conquered by the Satavahanas, the Pallavas became their feudatories.
After the fall of the Satavahanas in the 3rd century A.D., the Pallavas became independent.
Early Pallava inscriptions were in Prakrit and Sanskrit due to their Satavahana connections.
The Pallavas also patronised Brahmanism.
Political History
Early Pallava rulers from 250 A.D. to 350 A.D. issued charters in Prakrit.
Important rulers of this period were Sivaskandavarman and Vijayaskandavarman.
The second line of Pallava rulers (350 A.D. to 550 A.D.) issued charters in Sanskrit.
The most notable ruler of this line was Vishnugopa, who was defeated by Samudragupta during his South Indian expedition.
The third line of Pallava rulers (from 575 A.D. to their fall in the 9th century) issued charters in both Sanskrit and Tamil.
Simhavishnu was the first ruler of this third line.
Simhavishnu destroyed the Kalabhras and firmly established Pallava rule in Tondaimandalam.
He also defeated the Cholas and expanded the Pallava territory up to the river Kaveri.
Other prominent rulers of this line included Mahendravarman I, Narasimhavarman I, and Narasimhavarman II.
Mahendravarman I (600 – 630 A.D.)
The long-drawn Pallava–Chalukya conflict began during this period.
Pulakesin II marched against the Pallavas and captured the northern part of their kingdom.
A Pallava inscription mentions the victory of Mahendravarman I at Pullalur, but he could not recover the lost territory.
Mahendravarman I was initially a follower of Jainism.
He converted to Saivism under the influence of the Saiva saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar).
Built a Siva temple at Tiruvadi.
Assumed titles like Gunabhara, Satyasandha, Chettakari (builder of temples), Chitrakarapuli, Vichitrachitta, and Mattavilasa.
Famous as a great builder of rock-cut cave temples.
The Mandagappattu inscription praises him as Vichitrachitta for constructing a temple for Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva without using bricks, timber, metal, or mortar.
His rock-cut temples are located at Vallam, Mahendravadi, Dalavanur, Pallavaram, Mandagappattu, and Tiruchirappalli.
Authored the Sanskrit play Mattavilasa Prahasanam.
The title Chitrakarapuli indicates his talent in painting.
Regarded as an expert in music.
The music inscription at Kudumianmalai is attributed to him.