The Pallavas (575AD - 897AD) and their contribution to the Indian culture

 The Pallavas ruled in the parts of South India between 575 AD and 897 AD. They played and important role in the political, social and cultural history of South India.

Early Pallavas

• Pallava king Singhvarmana defeated the Ikshvaku king Rudrapurushadatta in 300 CE and established Pallava rule in Coastal Andhra.
• His dominion extended from the Krishna to the South Pennar and upto Bellary disttrict.
• Vishnugopa became the next Pallava ruler. During his rule, Samudragupta invaded south India and defeated him.
• Trilochan Pallava was the next Pallava ruler. The Chola king Karikala attacked the Pallavas.
• Nandivarman-I was the last of the early Pallava kings. during his time the Pallava kingdom experienced the invasion of the Kalabhras.

Imperial Pallavas

1. Simhavishnu (575-590AD) was the first Pallava ruler in this line. He defeated the Kalabhras, and the rulers of Cholas, Pandeyas and Cheras. 
2. Mahendravarman-I (590-630AD), the son on Simhavishnu, became the next ruler. The long drawn Pallava-Chalukya conflict began during this period. He was defeated by Pulkesin-II at a place called Pullalur near Kanchi. Mahendravarman was the follower of Jainism, but later converted to Saivism. The rock-cut caves at Mandagapattu, Dalavanur and Tiruchirappali were built during his reign.
3. Narsimhavarman-I (630-668AD) - The Pallava dynasty was at zenith during his rule. He assumed the title of Mamalla (meaning 'great wrestler'). He defeated Pulkesin-II of the Chalukya and took avenge the defeat of his father. Pulkesin-II lost his life in the battle near Kanchi, and hence, Narsimhavarman-I assumed the title of Vatapikonda (the conquerer of Vatapi). During his reign Hiuen Tsang visited Kanchi.
4. Mahendravarman-II (668-670 AD) - He ruled for very short period and was killed by the Chalukya ruler Vikramaditya I.
5. Paramesvaravarman-I (670-695 AD) - He defeated Vikramaditya-I (Ranarasika) and assumed the title of Ugradanda and the 'destroyer of the city of Ranarasika'.
6. Narsimhavarman-II (795-722 AD) - He had the title of 'Rajasimha'. The Shore Temple of Mamallapuram and the Kailash Temple of Kanchi were built during his time. He sent embassies to China and the maritime trade flourished during his reign.
7. Paramesvaravarman-II (728-731 AD) - The Pallava-Chalukya battle continued during his period. He was killed by the Ganga king, an ally of the Chalukyas.
8. Nandivarman-II (731-795 AD) - He was the follower of Vishnu and a great patron of learning. Several old temples were renovated and new temples like the Vaikuntaperumal temple at Kanchi were constructed.

End of the Pallavas 

Vikramaditya-II's attack and temporary occupation of Kanchi may be regarded as the beginning of the end of the Pallavas supremacy over South India.

Contribution of Pallavas in India Culture

• Administration 
• Monarchy system of governance was prevalent.
• King was at the centre of administration.
• The Pallava state was divided into Kottams that was administred by an officer appointed by the king.
• The village was the basic unit of administration. It was administered by various assemblies such as sabha, urar, etc.
• Every village had got a court of justice called Dharmasasana.
• village was provided with professional servants such as potters, weavers, carpenters, smiths, etc.
• Land revenue was the major source of income.
• Taxes was levied on - profession, marriages, manufacture of salt, sugar and textiles, draught cattle, etc.
• Religion 
• The heterodox religion viz. Buddhism and Jainism were still very active in Pallava kingdom.
• Most of the Pallava kings were the follower of Vaishnavism and Saivism.
• The vedic sacrifices - Agnisthoma, Vajapeya and Asvamedha etc were prevalent.
• The Bhakti movement emerged during during this period in South India.
• Education and literature
• The Pallavas were great patron of education and literature.
• Sanskrit works such as the Kiratarjuniyam of Bharavi, Dasakumaracharita of Dandi etc were produced during the Pallavas.
• Tiruvelluvar, the author of 'kural', lived during this period. 
• Art and culture
• Temple architecture - 
• The development of temple architecture under the Pallavas passed through four stages as follows: - 
• Mahendravarman Group - rock-cut temples were built. The temples were called mandapas. In Nagara style, mandapa meant assembly hall.
• Narsimha Group - Rock-cut temples were decorated with intricate sculptures. Mandapas were divided into separate rathas. The biggest ratha was called the Dharamaraj ratha while the smallest ratha was called the Draupadi ratha. Dravida style came from Dharmaraja ratha.
• Rajasimha Group - Under him development of real structural temples started in place of rock-cut temples.
• Nandivarman Group - The temples built were smaller in size. The features were almost similar to the Dravidian style of architecture.