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பல்லவர்
Pallavas
Image:pallava territories.png
Pallava kingdom c. 645 CE during Narasimhavarman I
Official languagesTamil
and Sanskrit
CapitalKanchipuram
GovernmentMonarchy
Preceding stateSatavahana, Kalabhras
Succeeding statesCholas, Eastern Chalukyas

The Pallava kingdom (Telugu:పల్లవులు; Tamil: பல்லவர்) was an ancient South Indian kingdom. Narasimhavarman I ( Tamil: முதலாம் நரசிம்மவர்மன் was one of the most famous Pallava kings who ruled South India An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory Tamil (ta தமிழ்; t̪əmɨɻ is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram is a city and a Municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of This is a list of countries categorized by system of Government. A monarchy is a Form of government in which supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in an individual who is the Head of state, often for life or The Sātavāhanas ( Marathi: सातवाहन Telugu:శాతవాహనులు were a Dynasty which ruled from Junnar ( Identification Kalabhras The identification of the Kalabhras is difficult Origin of Eastern Chalukyas Pulakesin II (608–644 CE the greatest Badami Chalukya king conquered the eastern Deccan, corresponding to the Tamil (ta தமிழ்; t̪əmɨɻ is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. South India is the area encompassing India 's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union The Pallavas, feudatories of Andhra Satavahanas, became independent after the decline of that dynasty in Amaravati. The Sātavāhanas ( Marathi: सातवाहन Telugu:శాతవాహనులు were a Dynasty which ruled from Junnar ( A dynasty is a succession of rulers who belong to the same family for generations WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Amaravati is a small town situated on the banks of the River Krishna in the Guntur District Initially they ruled southern Andhra Pradesh, also known as Palnadu, situated in the Guntur district. Palnadu is the northern region of Guntur District in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Guntur ( Telugu: గుంటూరు Urdu: گنٹور, Hindi: गुंटूर Later they extended their rule to Tamil regions and established their capital at Kanchipuram around the 4th century CE. Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram is a city and a Municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of They rose in power during the reign of Mahendravarman I (571 – 630 CE) and Narasimhavarman I (630 – 668 CE) and dominated the southern Telugu and northern parts of Tamil region for about six hundred years until the end of the 9th century. Mahendravarman I ( Tamil: மகேந்திரவர்மன் (600 - 630 CE was a Pallava king who ruled the Northern regions of what forms present-day This article is about the year AD 571 For the US telephone area code see Area code 571. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Serbs settle in the Balkans having been invited by the Byzantine emperor Heraclius Narasimhavarman I ( Tamil: முதலாம் நரசிம்மவர்மன் was one of the most famous Pallava kings who ruled South India Events By Place Europe Childeric II succeeds Clotaire III as King of the Franks. Telugu people refer to the group of peoples who natively speak the Telugu language. The ancient Tamil country, also known as Tamilakam, refers to an ancient independent region in the areas of modern South India, corresponding roughly

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. The Chalukya dynasty ( Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು ʧaːɭukjə was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and Central WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Badami (ಬದಾಮಿ formerly known as Vatapi, is a Taluk in the Bagalkot District Origin The origin of the word “Pandya” has been a subject of much speculation

Pallavas are most noted for their patronage of Dravidian architecture, still seen today in Mahabalipuram. Dravidian architecture was a style of architecture that emerged thousands of years ago in the Indian subcontinent WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Mahabalipuram (மகாபலிபுரம் also known as Mamallapuram (மாமல்லபுரம் The Pallavas, who left behind magnificent sculptures and temples, established the foundations of classical Dravidian architecture. A Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Kanchipuram during Pallava rule and extolled their benign rule. See also Xuanzang (fictional character Xuanzang ( pronounced Shwan-dzang) was a famous Chinese Buddhist Monk, scholar traveler Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram is a city and a Municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of

Some sources[1] 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,[2] and the son of Simhavarman II. Biography Contemporary accounts There are two known extant accounts written by contemporaries of Bodhidharma Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism, referred to in Chinese as Chan. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National [3]

Contents

Origins

Main article: Origin of Pallava

The exact origin of the Pallavas is shrouded in mystery. Tamil Origin The word Pallava means branch or twig in Sanskrit. Many theories have been put forward to trace their roots.

Indigenous Origin Theories

One theory proposed that they were an offshoot of the Cholas. [4] The word Pallava means bud or branch in Sanskrit which is equivalent to Tamil Tondaiyar. Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical [5][6] The Pallava kings at several places are called Thondamans or Thondaiyarkon.

There are other opinions supporting their indigenous origins state that they were hereditary feudatory rulers under the Vakatakas. The Vakataka (Vākāţaka was an Indian dynasty which ruled parts of today's Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh from the third century to fifth century [7] Nilakanta Sastri states that "they appear. . to have been a dynasty of North Indian origin that moved to the South and there adapted local traditions to their own use. "[5]

Foreign Origin Theories

Several scholars believe that the Pahlavas migrated from Persia to India and founded the Pallava dynasty of Kanchi. The Pahlavas are a people mentioned in ancient Indian texts like the Manu Smriti, various Puranas the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Brhatsamhita The Persian Empire was a series of Iranian empires that ruled over the Iranian plateau, the original Persian homeland and beyond in Western Asia Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram is a city and a Municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of [6][5] According to Dr Jouveau Dubreuil,

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 Indian poets under the name Pārasīka, the term Pahlava or Pallava must denote the Arsacidan Parthians, as stated by Professor Weber. layout and formatting it should ensure no clashes with the top of the infobox Parthia ( Middle Persian: اشکانیان Ashkâniân) was an Iranian civilization situated in the northeastern part of modern Iran

—Venkayya, pp219–220

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

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,[8] takes its origin from the Scythians and plays a paramount part in the lands penetrated by the Pallavas and their culture. A legend ( Latin, legenda, "things to be read" is a Narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to The Scythians or Scyths (Σκύθες Σκύθοι were an Iranian speaking people of horse-riding Nomadic pastoralists who dominated the Pontic 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. Tamil literature refers to the Literature in the Tamil language. Indian copper plate inscriptions play an important role in the reconstruction of the history of India. The Kingdom of Cambodia ( formerly known as Kampuchea (, transliterated: Preăh Réachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchea) is a country in South East [6][9]

Pallava Chronology

The rule of the Pallavas apparently starts as early as 275 CE, but their greatest epoch corresponds to the 7th and 8th century. [10]

Early Pallavas

The history of the early Pallavas has not yet been satisfactorily settled. The earliest documentation on the Pallavas is the three copper-plate grants,[11] belonging to Skandavarman I and written in Prakrit. Prakrit (also transliterated as Pracrit) ( Sanskrit: prākṛta प्राकृत (from pra-kṛti प्रकृति according to one [5] Skandavarman appears to have been the first great ruler of the early Pallavas, though there are references to other early Pallavas who were probably predecessors of Skandavarman. [12]

Skandavarman extended his dominions from the Krishna in the north to the Pennar in the south and to the Bellary district in the West. This article is about an Indian river For other meanings of this river names see Krishna (disambiguation and Krishnaveni. The Pennar (also Penner, Penna or Penneru) is a river of southern India. Bellary ( Kannada: ಬಳ್ಳಾರಿ Telugu: బళ్ళారి ˈbəɭɭari is a city in Bellary District in Karnataka state He performed the Aswametha and other Vedic sacrifices and bore the title of 'Supreme King of Kings devoted to dharma'. [5]

An absence of documentation about the Pallavas following Skandavarman is broken by the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta, which indicates that he defeated the Pallava Vishnugopa (350–355 CE). Samudragupta, ruler of the Gupta Empire (cAD 335 &ndash 380 and successor to Chandragupta I, is considered to be one of the greatest military geniuses in With Samudragupta's expedition the Pallava eclipse set in. [13]

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 Vishnukundina dynasty ruled over the eastern Deccan in South India comprising of the area covered by modern day Andhra Pradesh and Kalinga The early Pallava history from this period onwards is furnished by a dozen or so copper-plate grants in Sanskrit. Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical They are all dated in the regnal years of the kings. [13]

With the accession of Nandivarman I (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. The Kadamba Dynasty ( Kannada:ಕದಂಬರು (345 - 525 CE was an ancient royal family of Karnataka that ruled from Banavasi in present In coastal Andhra the Vishnukundins established their ascendency. The Pallava authority was confined to Tondaimandalam.

With the accession of Simhavishnu, father of Mahendravarman I, c. Simhavishnu ( Tamil: சிம்மவிஷ்ணு) also known as Avanisimha ( Tamil: அவனிசிம்மன்) son of Mahendravarman I ( Tamil: மகேந்திரவர்மன் (600 - 630 CE was a Pallava king who ruled the Northern regions of what forms present-day 575 CE, the Pallava revival began in the south.

Later Pallavas

The rock-cut temples at Mamallapuram constructed during the reign of Narasimhavarman I
The rock-cut temples at Mamallapuram constructed during the reign of Narasimhavarman I

The incursion of the Kalabhras and the confusion in the Tamil country was broken by the Pandya Kadungon and the Pallava Simhavishnu. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Mahabalipuram (மகாபலிபுரம் also known as Mamallapuram (மாமல்லபுரம் Narasimhavarman I ( Tamil: முதலாம் நரசிம்மவர்மன் was one of the most famous Pallava kings who ruled South India Identification Kalabhras The identification of the Kalabhras is difficult Origin The origin of the word “Pandya” has been a subject of much speculation Kadungon or Kadunkon was also the name an earlier Pandya king mentioned in the Sangam literature. Simhavishnu ( Tamil: சிம்மவிஷ்ணு) also known as Avanisimha ( Tamil: அவனிசிம்மன்) son of [14][15] The Pallava kingdom began to gain both in territory and influence over the South Indian peninsula and were a regional power by the end of the 6th century. [16] The Pallavas exercised control over their southern neighbours of Cholas and Pandyas. But their history is marked by the continuous conflict with the Badami Chalukyas. The Chalukya dynasty ( Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು ʧaːɭukjə was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and Central [16]

Narasimhavarman I and Paramesvaravarman I were the kings who stand out with glorious achievements in both military and architectural spheres. Narasimhavarman I ( Tamil: முதலாம் நரசிம்மவர்மன் was one of the most famous Pallava kings who ruled South India Parameswaravarman I was a Pallava king who ruled in South India in the latter half of the seventh century Nandivarman II built the Shore Temple. Nandivarman II (Pallavamalla (732-796 CE was a Pallava ruler who ruled in South India. The Shore Temple (700-728 CE is so named because it over looks the Bay of Bengal.

Kadava kingdom

Main article: Kadava

During the thirteenth and the fourteenth centuries CE, a small principality of the Kadava dynasty came into brief prominence. Kadava was the name of a South Indian ruling dynasty who ruled parts of the Tamil country during the thirteenth and the fourteenth century CE Kadava was the name of a South Indian ruling dynasty who ruled parts of the Tamil country during the thirteenth and the fourteenth century CE These rulers claimed descent from the Pallavas. The notable rulers of this dynasty are Kopperunchinga I (reigned c. Kopperunchinga I (reigned c 1216-1242 CE was a Kadava chieftain who played a major role in the political affairs of the Tamil country 1216 - 1242 CE), and his son and successor Kopperunchinga II (c. Kopperunchinga II (reigned c 1243-1279 CE was a Kadava chieftain who succeeded his father Kopperunchinga I and continued his successes against the Hoysalas 1243 - 1279 CE). Together they extended the influence of their kingdom and played a major part in the ultimate demise of the Chola dynasty.

Religion

Pallavas were followers of Hinduism and made gifts of land to gods and brahmins. In line with the prevalent customs, some of the rulers performed the Aswamedha and other Vedic sacrifices. The Ashvamedha ( Sanskrit: sa अश्वमेध aśvamedhá; " Horse sacrifice " was one of the most important royal Rituals This article discusses the historical religious practices in the Vedic time period see Hinduism and Indian religions for details [13]

They were, however, tolerant of other faiths. The Chinese monk Xuanzang who visited Kanchipuram during the reign of Narasimhavarman I reported that there were 100 Buddhist monasteries, and 80 temples in Kanchipuram. See also Xuanzang (fictional character Xuanzang ( pronounced Shwan-dzang) was a famous Chinese Buddhist Monk, scholar traveler Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram is a city and a Municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of [17]

Mahendravarman I was initially a patron of the Jain faith. Jainism, traditionally known as Jain Dharma / Shraman Dharma (जैन धर्म is an ancient religion of India. He later re-converted to Hinduism under the influence of the Saiva saint Appar with the revival of Hinduism during the Bhakti movement in South India. Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. South India is the area encompassing India 's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union [18]

Pallava architecture

The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram built by Narasimhavarman II
The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram built by Narasimhavarman II

The Pallavas were instrumental in the transition from rock-cut architecture to stone temples. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Mahabalipuram (மகாபலிபுரம் also known as Mamallapuram (மாமல்லபுரம் Narasimhavarman II (இரண்டாம் நரசிம்மவர்மன் or Rajasimha (ராஜசிம்மன் was a Pallava king who ruled in The earliest examples of Pallava constructions are rock-cut temples dating from 610–690 CE and structural temples between 690–900 CE. A number of rock-cut cave temples bear the inscription of the Pallava king, Mahendravarman I and his successors. [19]

The greatest accomplishments of the Pallava architecture are the rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Mahabalipuram (மகாபலிபுரம் also known as Mamallapuram (மாமல்லபுரம் There are excavated pillared halls and monolithic shrines known as rathas in Mahabalipuram. Early temples were mostly dedicated to Shiva. Shiva:(pronunciation; Sanskrit: शिव Śiva, lit "Auspicious one" One of the Trimurtis Shiva is the supreme God in the Shaiva The Kailasanatha temple in Kanchipuram and the Shore Temple built by Narasimhavarman II are fine examples of the Pallava style temples. Kailash Temple, also Kailasanatha Temple is one of the 34 monasteries and temples extending over more than 2 km that were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram is a city and a Municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of The Shore Temple (700-728 CE is so named because it over looks the Bay of Bengal. Narasimhavarman II (இரண்டாம் நரசிம்மவர்மன் or Rajasimha (ராஜசிம்மன் was a Pallava king who ruled in [20]

Notes

  1. ^ Other sources describe him as a Persian, see Bodhidharma article
  2. ^ Kamil V. layout and formatting it should ensure no clashes with the top of the infobox Biography Contemporary accounts There are two known extant accounts written by contemporaries of Bodhidharma Zvelebil (1987). "The Sound of the One Hand", Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 107, No. 1, p. 125-126.
  3. ^ Graeme Lyall. Seon - The Buddhism of Korea.
  4. ^ History of Tirupati: The Tiruvengadam Temple By T. K. T. Viraraghavacharya
  5. ^ a b c d e Nilakanta Sastri, A History of South India, p91
  6. ^ a b c Kulke and Rothermund, p120
  7. ^ Durga Prasad
  8. ^ Les legendes de le Nagi et de l'Apsaras, Bulletin de l'Ecole Francaise d'Extreme-Orient, Victor Goloubew
  9. ^ Cadambi Minakshi, pp 20, 25, 39
  10. ^ Avari, p186
  11. ^ Now referred to as the Mayidavolu, Hirahadagalli and the British Museum plates - Durga Prasad (1988)
  12. ^ Nilakanta Sastri, A History of South India, pp91–92
  13. ^ a b c Nilakanta Sastri, A History of South India, p92
  14. ^ Kulke and Rothermund, p105
  15. ^ Kulke and Rothermund, p120
  16. ^ a b Kulke and Rothermund, p111
  17. ^ Kulke and Rothermund, pp121–122
  18. ^ Appar
  19. ^ Nilakanta Sastri, pp412–413
  20. ^ Nilakanta Sastri, p139

References

External links

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