Pallava Dynasty of South India
Medieval History › Early Medieval Period · Topic 1.6
The Pallavas ruled Tondaimandalam from Kanchipuram from about the sixth to the ninth century. Mahendravarman I and Narasimhavarman I made them a major power against the Chalukyas of Badami, and their rock-cut and structural temples at Mamallapuram and Kanchipuram began the Dravida style. The Cholas ended their rule in the late ninth century.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Early Medieval Period
At a Glance
- Capital Kanchipuram
- Region Tondaimandalam in northern Tamil Nadu
- Great kings Mahendravarman I, Narasimhavarman I, Narasimhavarman II
- Rival Pulakeshin II (609 to 642) Kalyani branch 973 to…">Chalukyas of Badami (Vatapi)
- Monuments Mamallapuram rathas, Shore Temple, Kailasanatha temple
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Medieval History: Early Medieval Period
Where Does It Fit?
This is the sixth topic of the category on the early medieval period. The previous topic covered the Rajput clans of the north, and this topic starts the south Indian sequence, which runs through the Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas to the Cholas. The next topic covers the Chalukya rivals of the Pallavas. Previous topic: Rise of the Rajputs and Major Rajput Clans. The earlier phase is in Chalukyas, Pallavas and the Kalabhra Revolt.
Who Were the Pallavas?
In short: the Pallava dynasty of Kanchipuram dominated northern Tamil Nadu between the sixth and ninth centuries, fought the Chalukyas of Badami, and left the first great Dravida temple monuments.
Powerful kingdoms had risen in south India between the sixth and eighth centuries. The most important were the Pallavas and the Pandyas in Tamil Nadu, the Cheras of Kerala and the Chalukyas of the Deccan. The Pallava and Pandya kingdoms had strong navies, played an important part in links with Southeast Asia and China, and invaded parts of Sri Lanka for a time. The Pallava capital was Kanchipuram, which the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang described in the time of Narasimhavarman I as having about 100 Buddhist monasteries and 80 Hindu temples.
Which Pallava Kings Matter?
| Ruler | Approximate reign | Main fact |
|---|---|---|
| Simhavishnu | About 575 to 600 | Helped break the Kalabhra rule; called the lion of the earth in the Kasakudi plates |
| Mahendravarman I | About 600 to 630 | Patron of rock-cut temples; wrote the play Mattavilasa Prahasana; took the title Shatrumalla |
| Narasimhavarman I Mamalla | About 630 to 668 | Wars with Chalukya Pulakeshin II; occupied Vatapi in 642; the Mamallapuram monuments |
| Paramesvaravarman I | About 670 to 695 | Inscriptions mixing Sanskrit and Tamil |
| Narasimhavarman II Rajasimha | About 695 to 728 | Built the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram and the Kailasanatha temple |
| Nandivarman II Pallavamalla | About 731 to 796 | Of the Kadava line; Chalukya Vikramaditya II raided Kanchi in his time |
Reign years differ between chronologies, so exam answers should cite only the century and order of the kings.
How Did the Pallava-Chalukya Rivalry Run?
The Chalukya king Pulakeshin II had defeated Harsha and checked his move into the Deccan. The Pallavas and Chalukyas then fought for decades. The Pallava king Narasimhavarman I occupied Badami (Vatapi) temporarily in 642, and Pulakeshin II is presumed to have died fighting. Vikramaditya I of the Chalukyas later pushed the Pallavas out of Badami, and Vikramaditya II raided Kanchi in the time of Nandivarman II. The Rashtrakutas also fought the Pallavas of Kanchi in the south, so the Pallavas were hemmed in from both sides.
Why Is Pallava Architecture Important?
The Pallavas started the move from rock-cut caves to structural stone temples in the south. Mahendravarman I sponsored rock-cut temples. Under Narasimhavarman I the Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) rock-cut temples and monolithic shrines called rathas were built, and the site is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narasimhavarman II built the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram. The eighth-century Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram is an early example of the Dravida style, and the Vaikuntha Perumal temple of Vishnu at Kanchipuram also belongs to the Pallava age.
The Dravida style, which later reached its climax under the Cholas, has many storeys above the sanctum, called the vimana, and a pillared hall in front. The Pallava work was its forerunner.
How Did Religion and Language Develop Under the Pallavas?
The Pallava age saw the rise of the Alvar and Nayanar devotional movements, the Vaishnava and Shaiva saints who composed in Tamil between the sixth and ninth centuries. The dynasty patronised Hinduism, with Buddhism and Jainism still present at Kanchi. The inscriptions of Paramesvaravarman I mix Sanskrit and Tamil, which shows the use of both languages in the court. Local councils called sabhas received orders in Tamil.
How Did the Pallava Rule End?
Vijayalaya, the founder of the Chola empire, was at first a feudatory of the Pallavas and captured Tanjore in 850. By the end of the ninth century the Cholas had defeated the Pallavas of Kanchi (Tondaimandalam) and weakened the Pandyas. The last Pallava king, Aparajita, fell to the Chola ruler Aditya I about 897, and the Cholas took Tondaimandalam.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Dravida style The Pallavas began the south Indian temple tradition later perfected by the Cholas
- Chalukya rivalry A key theme in Deccan and south Indian politics
- Bhakti The Alvars and Nayanars belong to this age
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the Chalukyas, who fought the Pallavas for the Deccan and the south. Next topic: Chalukya Dynasty (Badami and Kalyani Branches).
Key People and Terms
- Mahendravarman I Playwright-king and rock-cut temple patron
- Narasimhavarman I Called Mamalla; occupied Vatapi in 642
- Rathas Monolithic shrines at Mamallapuram
- Shore Temple Built by Narasimhavarman II
- Aparajita Last Pallava king, defeated by Aditya I
- Tondaimandalam Pallava heartland around Kanchi
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Capital Kanchipuram; heartland Tondaimandalam.
- Mahendravarman I wrote the Mattavilasa Prahasana.
- Narasimhavarman I occupied Vatapi in 642.
- Shore Temple: Narasimhavarman II.
- Pallavas fell to the Cholas in the late ninth century.
Do Not Confuse With
- Pallavas and Chalukyas Kanchi dynasty versus the Badami dynasty of the Deccan
- Rathas and Shore Temple Monolithic rock shrines of Narasimhavarman I versus the structural temple of Narasimhavarman II
- Pallava Kailasanatha and Rashtrakuta Kailasa Kanchipuram structural temple versus the Ellora rock-cut temple
Memory Hook
Mahendra carves, Mamalla builds, Rajasimha shores, Aparajita falls.
Mains Angle
Questions on the Pallavas combine temple art and politics. These points add depth.
- Politics Wars with the Chalukyas and the Pandyas, fall to the Cholas
- Art Rock-cut to structural temples
- Religion Bhakti saints in Tamil
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Describe the contribution of the Pallavas to the development of temple architecture in south India.”
How to Answer
- Beginning Mahendravarman I and the rock-cut phase.
- Peak Mamallapuram under Narasimhavarman I.
- Structural Shore and Kailasanatha temples.
- Legacy Dravida style under the Cholas.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the Pallava capital?
The Pallava capital was Kanchipuram, in Tondaimandalam in northern Tamil Nadu. The Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang described it in the time of Narasimhavarman I as having about 100 Buddhist monasteries and 80 Hindu temples, which shows its religious importance.
Who built the Mamallapuram monuments?
The Mamallapuram rock-cut temples and rathas are linked to Narasimhavarman I, also called Mamalla, who ruled in the seventh century. The Shore Temple at Mamallapuram was built later by Narasimhavarman II Rajasimha, and the site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How did the Pallavas fight the Chalukyas?
The Pallavas and Chalukyas of Badami fought for decades. Narasimhavarman I occupied Vatapi in 642 after the death of Pulakeshin II, and later Chalukya kings such as Vikramaditya I and Vikramaditya II reversed the gains, even raiding Kanchi.
What was the Dravida style under the Pallavas?
The Dravida style has a storeyed tower called the vimana above the sanctum and a pillared hall in front. The Pallavas began it with rock-cut caves and monolithic rathas, then built structural temples such as the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram.
How did Pallava rule end?
Vijayalaya, a Pallava feudatory, captured Tanjore in 850 and founded the Chola line. By the end of the ninth century the Cholas had defeated the Pallavas of Kanchi, and Aditya I overthrew the last Pallava king, Aparajita, about 897.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Shore Temple at Mamallapuram was built by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman II.
Narasimhavarman I is linked to the rathas.
2 Narasimhavarman I occupied Vatapi, the Chalukya capital, in 642.
Pulakeshin II is presumed to have died fighting.
3 The Pallava capital was Madurai.
It was Kanchipuram.
4 Mahendravarman I wrote the play Mattavilasa Prahasana.
He also patronised rock-cut temples.
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