Pallava Dynasty

The Pallava Dynasty (c. 275 CE – 897 CE) briefly ruled parts of Telangana between c. 310 - 340 CE and later emerged as a major power in South India. From their capital at Kanchipuram, the Pallavas transformed the political, cultural, and artistic landscape of the region. They presided over a golden age of Tamil civilization, pioneered the evolution of Dravidian temple architecture, and extended their influence across the Deccan and Southeast Asia.

Capital: Kanchipuram
Founder: Virakurcha
Languages: Sanskrit, Prakrit, Tamil
Religion: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism

1. Origins and Rise

Feudatory Beginnings: The Pallavas initially served as feudatories (samantas) to the Satavahana Empire.
Naga Dynasty Succession: They are also believed to have succeeded the Chutu dynasty (often associated with the Naga race), establishing their independent rule.
Rise to Power: The pivotal moment came through a strategic marriage alliance. A Pallava prince (likely Simhavarman I) married a daughter of the Chutu king Śiva-Skanda-Nâga-Śâtakarṇi. Their son, Siva-skanda-varman, inherited the throne of Kanchi, effectively merging the two lineages and founding the historical Pallava sovereign rule.
Early Expansion: By c. 310 CE, Siva-skanda-varman had expanded his control, defeating Chutu rulers and occupying territories in the Western Deccan and Telangana.

2. Rulers in Telanagan

Bappadeva / Simhavarman I (c. 310–320 CE)

The "revered father" (Bappa-deva), considered a foundational figure.

Siva-skanda-varman (c. 320–340 CE)

The son of Simhavarman I, he solidified Pallava power. His reign is well-documented by copper plate inscriptions.

Setbacks in Telangana (c. 340–345 CE)
The Pallavas soon faced reversals in the Deccan:
Around 340 CE, Vakataka ruler Sarvasena defeated the Pallavas in the Telangana region.
By 345 CE, Mayurasharma of the Kadamba dynasty inflicted another defeat, weakening Pallava influence in the western Deccan.

Narasimhavarman I (630–668 CE): One of the dynasty's greatest rulers. In 642 CE, he decisively defeated and killed the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II, sacking and burning the Chalukya capital of Badami. He earned the title Mamalla (Great Wrestler).

3. Administration

The Pallavas established a sophisticated and highly organized bureaucratic state, as detailed in early inscriptions like the Hirahadagalli copper plates (328 CE).

Hierarchy: A clear chain of command existed from the king down to local village officials.

Key Designations
Rajasya (The King)
Rajakumara (Viceroy or royal prince)
Senapati (Commander-in-Chief)
Rashtrika (Provincial Governor)
Desadhikrita (Regional Officer)
Local Administration: A detailed local apparatus included:
Gramabhojaka (Revenue beneficiaries)
Amatya (General administrators)
Aranyadhikrita (Forest Officer)
Govalla (Officer in charge of cattle)
Vallava (Confidential agents)

Land Grants: The state issued tax-free land grants (brahmadeyas) to Brahmins, meticulously recorded on copper plates to ensure the order was communicated to every level of the administration.

4. Economy and Trade

Agrarian Base: The economy was primarily agrarian, supported by sophisticated irrigation management.

Trade: Their control of the Coromandel Coast provided access to major maritime trade routes connecting Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. Kanchipuram became a thriving economic and cultural hub.

5. Society

Languages: Sanskrit and Prakrit were used for official proclamations and courtly literature, while Tamil flourished as a language of devotion and local administration.

Religion: Although the dynasty is most famous for promoting Hinduism (particularly Shaivism and Vaishnavism), early inscriptions and sites indicate Jainism and Buddhism were also present and active, reflecting a period of religious diversity.

6. Art and Culture

The Pallava era was a defining period for South Indian art.

Architectural Evolution: They pioneered rock-cut and structural temple architecture, moving from simple cave shrines (mandapas) to magnificent monolithic temples (rathas) and large structural complexes.

Key Sites: Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), a port city founded by Narasimhavarman I, is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring masterpieces like the Shore Temple, the Pancha Rathas, and the giant open-air Arjuna's Penance bas-relief.

Literary Patronage: They patronized both Sanskrit scholars and Tamil Bhakti saints.

7. Foreign Relations

Pallava history was marked by intense rivalry and warfare.

Chalukyas of Badami: A defining, centuries-long conflict for supremacy over the Deccan and the peninsula. The victory of Narasimhavarman I over Pulakeshin II (642 CE) was a major event.

Kadambas: The Kadamba dynasty emerged as a power by defeating the Pallavas around 345 CEunder Mayurasharma.

Vakatakas: The Vakataka ruler Sarvasena defeated the Pallavas in Telangana (c. 340 CE).

Guptas: The north Indian Gupta emperor Samudragupta claimed victory over a Pallava king (likely Sridharavarman) around 365 CE.

Cultural Export: Pallava architectural and artistic styles profoundly influenced the development of art and kingdom structures in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Srivijaya Empire and Cambodia.

8. Achievements and Legacy

Architectural Pioneers: They laid the foundational blueprint for the Dravidian temple architecturestyle that would be perfected by the Cholas and later dynasties.

Naval Power: Maintained a strong navy, facilitating trade and cultural exchange.

Cultural Synthesis: Successfully synthesized Sanskritic and Tamil cultures, creating a unique and enduring civilizational model.

Historical Records: Their extensive use of copper plate grants provides invaluable data on administration, society, and economy.

9. Chronology and Dating

c. 275 CE: Traditional founding date.
c. 310–320 CE: Reign of Simhavarman I (Bappadeva); marriage alliance with Chutus
328 CE: Hirahadagalli copper plates of Siva-skanda-varman.
c. 340–345 CE: Defeats by Vakatakas and Kadambas.
c. 365 CE: Rule of Sridharavarman; likely defeat by Samudragupta.
642 CE: Narasimhavarman I defeats and kills Pulakeshin II, sacks Badami.
897 CE: Traditional end of the Pallava dynasty, superseded by the Cholas.

10. Successor States/Vassals

The Pallava dynasty was eventually eclipsed and absorbed by the resurgent Chola Empire in the late 9th century.

Many Pallava officials and feudatories, such as the Ganga and Nolamba dynasties, continued to rule smaller territories under Chola suzerainty.

1151 or 1157 AD - 1182 AD : Pallava Vijayaditya
only inscription is from Kattapalli and mentions Korradhamadugu dated 1151 or 1157 A.D. His relationship to his predecessor Nandivarma is not konwn. Vijayaditya’s reign may have lasted up to A.D. 1182—the earliest date for his successor Allutikka.

Jainath Temple Stone Inscription in Devanagari Script – It starts with SURYA NARAYANAAYA NAMAHA and ends with “MAHA VEERA NAAMA ADITYA PRATAPAVAN PALLAVIJAYAADITYA”. It’s all about Surya Naama Stuthi shlokas that’s why this temple is called as Surya Narayana Temple too.

The Vijayaditya mentioned (c. 1157–1182 CE) likely ruled a small, residual Pallava state under Chola dominance.