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பல்லவர்
Pallavas

Pallava kingdom c.645 CE during Narasimhavarman I
Official languages	Tamil and Sanskrit
Capital	Kanchipuram
Government	Monarchy
Preceding state	Satavahana, Kalabhras
Succeeding states	Cholas, Eastern Chalukyas

The Pallava kingdom (Tamil: பல்லவர்) was an ancient South Indian kingdom. The Pallavas claimed to be "Brahma-Kshatriyas" and King Mahenda's title was "Samkirnajati" basically translating as mixed caste.^[1] The Pallavas, feudatories of Andhra Satavahanas, became independent after their decline at Amaravati. They established their capital at Kanchipuram around the 4th century CE. They rose in power during the reign of Mahendravarman I (571 – 630 CE) and Narasimhavarman I (630 – 668 CE) and dominated the Telugu and northern parts of Tamil region for about six hundred years until the end of the 9th century.

Throughout their reign they were in constant conflict with both Chalukyas of Badami in the north and the Tamil kingdoms of Chola and Pandyas in the south and were finally defeated by the Chola kings in the 8th century CE.

Pallavas are most noted for their patronage of Dravidian architecture, still seen today in Mahabalipuram. Pallavas, who left behind magnificent sculptures and temples, established the foundations of classical Dravidian architecture. Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Kanchipuram during Pallava rule and extolled their benign rule.

Some sources^[2] describe Bodhidharma, the founder of the Chan (Zen) school of Buddhism in China, as a prince of the Pallava dynasty, a contemporary of Skandavarman IV and Nandivarman I,^[3] and the son of Simhavarman II.^[4]

Contents 1 Origins 2 Religion 3 Pallava Chronology 3.1 Early Pallava 3.2 Later Pallavas 3.3 Kadava kingdom 4 Pallava architecture 5 Notes 6 References

Main article: Origin of Pallava

There have been a number of theories regarding the origin of the Pallavas. There are some claims based on historical, anthropological, and linguistic evidence indicating that the Pallavas were related to the Parthians, either from Iran or from the territories of the Indo-Parthians in north-werstern India, who were also called Pahlavas in Indian litterature.^[5] These Pahlavas of Indo-Iranian descent would have migrated Southward and first settled in Krishna river valley of present day coastal Andhra Pradesh. This region is called Palnadu or Pallavanadu even today. Pallavas later extended their sway up to Northern Tamil region and established a flourishing empire.

According to Dr Jouveau Dubreuil, the Pahlavas migrated from Persia to India and founded the Pallava dynasty of Kanchi. They first occupied Anarta and Konkan and later entered southern India via Kuntala or Vanavasa.

"The Pallavas were immigrants from north, or properly speaking from Konkan, Tenugu and Anarta into Deccan. They came into south India through Kuntala or Vanvasa..." (Jouveau Dubreuil).

Venkayya notes:

"The Pallavas of Kāñcīpuram must have come originally from Persia, though the interval of time which must have elapsed since they left Persia must be several centuries. As the Persians are generally known to (p.220) Indian poets under the name Pārasīka, the term Pahlava or Pallava must denote the Arsacidan Parthians, as stated by Professor Weber." (Venkayya 1907, p.219-220)

Dr V. A. Smith says:

"It is possible that the Pallavas were not one distinct tribe or class but a mixed population composed partly of foreigners and partly of the Indian population but different in race from Tamils and taking their name from the title of an intruding foreign dynasty (Pahlava) which obtained control over them and welded them into an aggressive political power" (Early History of India, 1924, Dr V. A. Smith).

Dr. Cadambi Minakshi writes:

(i) The Pahladpur inscription (located in Pahladpur village in Uttar Pradesh State) which is datable to first few centuries of our era , is believed to be a record of the Pallavas in the north and they speak Tenugu. This depends upon correct reading of the term “Parthivanikapalah” figuring in the said inscription. This expression has been translated as “the protector of the Parthavas army”. It has been pointed out that term Parthava here is equivalent to Sanskrit Pahlava. Though the term Pahlava indicates the name of a tribe and Pallava that of a ruling family, it has been pointed out that a tribal name Pahlava could easily turn itself into Dynasty name Pallava.^[6]

(ii) Yet another link between the Pahlavas of the North and the Pallava rulers of Kanchi may be found in a legend which, according to Victor Goloubew,^[7] takes its origin from the Scythians and plays a paramount part in the lands penetrated by the Pallavas and their culture. The Nagi legend of the Scythians which is connected with legends in Tamil literature and Pallava copper-plates as well as the annals of Cambodia carries a special significance here.^[8]

On similar reasoning, the same Scythian Nagi legend connects the Kambuja rulers of Indo China with the Kambojas of the north-west. It is worth remarking here that the close connections of the Sakas (Scythians), the Kambojas and the Pahlavas have been highlighted in numerous ancient Sanskrit texts like Mahabharata, Valmiki Ramayana, and the Puranas. In the Puranic literature, the Sakas, Kambojas Yavanas, Pahlavas and Paradas have been noted as allied tribes and have been referred to as pañca.gana (five hordes).^[9] These tribes were all located in the Scythian belt in Central Asia and were therefore followers of common culture and social customs.

(iii) It has been argued that apart from a phonetic stretch, the connection between Pallavas of Kanchipuram and Pahlavas of Persia is far-fetched. After all, Pallava Inscriptions themselves trace their origin to Ashwataman, Dronacharya's son. There is also literary evidence as in Paranjyothi's (who was the Commander in Chief of the Pallava Army to become Siru Thondar later) recomposed Thiruvillayadal that there was a branch of Cholas in Thondaimandalam. This Chola King, "Aiyaram Pari Konda Cholan" (the Chola King who had 1000 horses) attacked the Pandya country from Kanchi.

The Pallavas performed Vedic rituals which the Pahlavas had opposed originally. This change is not unusual or unexpected. The alien Pahlavas/Kambojas had remained under the Satavahana Hindu rulers for quite some time and are believed to have been influenced by the mannerism, customs and royal usages of the latter who they appear to have borrowed many things from. With passage of time, they got more and more Indianised and came under Brahmanical influence. It was also a political sagacity to adapt to the new culture, religion, customs and milieu since they were now far located from the center of culture they had originally come from.

There are other opinions supporting their indigenous origins state that they were hereditary feudatory rulers under the Vakatakas.^[10]

The early Pallavas styled themselves as Brahma Kshatriyas (Brahmins in Pursuit of arms). Later by the 5th century CE, the Pallavas were regarded as Kshatriyas belonging to Kuruba or Kurumbar of Tamil Nadu. They were followers of Sanatana Dharma. In line with the prevalent customs, some of the rulers performed the Aswamedha and other Vedic sacrifices. They had made gifts of lands to gods and Brahmins.

Later Mahendravarman I was initially patron of the Jain faith. Mahendravarman later re-converted to Hinduism under the influence of the Saiva saint Appar.^[11]

The rule of the Pallavas apparently starts as early as 275 CE, but their greatest epoch corresponds to the 7th and 8th century.^[12]

The history of the early Pallavas has not yet been satisfactorily settled. The Prakrit and the Sanskrit charters on which we base our knowledge of these early Pallavas merely mention the royal names, their non-political grants and nothing about their reign or their political achievements. The earliest documentation we have on the Pallavas is the three copper-plate grants.^[13] All three belong to Skandavarman I and written in the Prakrit language.

Skandavarman seems to have been the first great ruler of the early Pallavas. He extended his dominions from the Krishna in the north to the Pennar in the south and to the Bellary district in the West. He performed the Aswametha and other Vedic sacrifices. At the beginning of their rule, Manchikallu, Mayidavoiu, Darsi and Ongolu were the centres of their activity. Kanchipuram gained prominence as the centre of their political and cultural activity by the second quarter of the fourth century CE.

Vishnugopa (350-355 CE), was defeated by Samudragupta around 350 CE. With Samudragupta's expedition, the Paliava eclipse set in.

In the reign of Simhavarman IV, who ascended the throne in 436 CE the fallen prestige of the Pallavas was restored. He recovered the territories lost to the Vishnukundins in the north up to the mouth of the Krishna. The early Pallava history from this period onwards is furnished by a dozen or so copper-plate grants. These are in the Sanskrit language. They are all dated in the regnal years of the kings.^[14]

With the accession of Nandivarman (480-500 CE), the decline of the early Pallava family was seen. The Kadambas had their aggressions and even the headquarters of the Pallavas was occupied by them. In coastal Andhra the Vishnukundins established their ascendency. The Pallava authority was confined to Tondaimandalam.

With the accession of Simha Vishnu father of Mahendravarma I, probably in 575 CE, the glorious imperial Pallava phase begins in the south.

The following chronology is gathered from these three charters:^[15]

• Simhavarman I 275 - 300 CE
• Skandavarman
• Visnugopa 350 - 355 CE
• Kumaravishnu I 350 - 370 CE
• Skandavarman II 370 - 385 CE
• Viravarman 385 - 400 CE
• Skandavarman III 400 - 436 CE
• Simhavarman II 436 - 460 CE
• Skandavarman IV 460 - 480 CE
• Nandivarman I 480 - 510 CE
• Kumaravishnu II 510 - 530 CE
• Buddhavarman 530 - 540 CE
• Kumaravisnu III 540 - 550 CE
• Simhavarman III 550 - 560 CE

The incursion of the Kalabhras and the confusion in the Tamil country was broken by the Pandya Kadungon and the Pallava Simhavishnu. The Pallava kingdom began to gain both in territory and influence over the South Indian peninsula. Pallavas exercised control over their southern neighbours of Cholas and Pandyas. But their history is marked by the continuous conflict with the Badami Chalukyas. Narasimhavarman I and Paramesvaravarman I were the kings who stand out with glorious achievements in both military and architectural spheres.

• Simhavishnu 555 - 590 CE
• Mahendravarman I 590 - 630 CE
• Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla) 630 - 668 CE
• Mahendravarman II 668 - 672 CE
• Paramesvaravarman I 672 - 700 CE
• Narasimhavarman II (Raja Simha) 700 - 728 CE
• Paramesvaravarman II 705 - 710 CE
• Nandivarman II (Pallavamalla) 732 - 796 CE
• Thandivarman 775 - 825 CE
• Nandivarman III 825 - 869 CE
• Aparajitha Varman 882 - 901 CE

Main article: Kadava

During the thirteenth and the fourteenth centuries CE, a small principality of the Kadava dynasty came into brief prominence. These rulers claimed descent from the Pallavas. The notable rulers of this dynasty are Kopperunchinga I (reigned c.1216 - 1242 CE), and his son and successor Kopperunchinga II (c.1243 - 1279 CE). Together they extended the influence of their kingdom and played a major part in the ultimate demise of the Chola dynasty.

This section may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (September 2007)

Pallavas were pioneers of south Indian architecture. The earliest examples of temples in the Dravidian style belong to the Pallava period. The earliest examples of Pallava constructions are rock-cut temples dating from 610 - 690 CE and structural temples between 690 - 900 CE. The greatest accomplishments of the Pallava architecture are the rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram. There are excavated pillared halls and monolithic shrines known as rathas in Mahabalipuram. Early temples were mostly dedicated to Shiva. The Kailasanatha temple in Kanchipuram built by Nandivarman is a fine example of the Pallava style temple.

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1. ^ "The Creation of the Pallava Grantha Tamil Script", by Michael Lockwood
2. ^ Other sources describe him as a Persian, see Bodhidharma article
3. ^ Kamil V. Zvelebil (1987). "The Sound of the One Hand", Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 107, No. 1, p. 125-126.
4. ^ Graeme Lyall. Seon - The Buddhism of Korea.
5. ^ "India: the ancient past", Burjor Avari, p.186
6. ^ Administration and Social Life Under the Pallavas – 1938, p 20, Cadambi Minakshi
7. ^ Les legendes de le Nagi et de l'Apsaras, Bulletin de l'Ecole Francaise d'Extreme-Orient, Victor Goloubew
8. ^ Administration and Social Life Under the Pallavas – 1938, pp 20, 25, 39, Cadambi Minakshi
9. ^ See for example, Brahama Purana, 8.36; Harivamsa 14.4
10. ^ See Durga Prasad, History of the Andhras up to 1565 A. D. , Nilakanta Sastri, K.A., A History of South India
11. ^ Appar - http://www.tamilnation.org/sathyam/east/saivaism/63nayanmars.htm#_VPID_31
12. ^ "India:The Ancient Past", Burjor Avari, p.186
13. ^ Now referred to as the Mayidavolu, Hirahadagalli and the British Museum plates - Durga Prasad, History of the Andhras up to 1565 A. D., P. G. Publishers, Guntur (1988)
14. ^ The absolute chronology for these dates is derived from the Saka dates in the Jain manuscript on cosmology Lokavibhaga
15. ^ See Nilakanta Sastry, K.A History of South India (OUP) reprinted 2000

• Durga Prasad, History of the Andhras up to 1565 A. D., P. G. PUBLISHERS, GUNTUR (1988)
• Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. (1955). A History of South India, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002).
• South Indian Inscriptions - http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/
• Divakar has written a recent novel - Vicithra cithan, dealing with the period of Narasimha pallava and him changing from jainism back to Hindusim and becoming a shivaite