The Pallavas

Pallava Dynasty (4th – 7th century) is one of the mot important

dynasty from ancient India. The origin of Pallava empire is not clearly
mentioned in the history. But it was believed that Pallava’s were an
Indigenous(people born in India) who were the feudatories of
Satavahanas. It is also believed that these were the Naga originators.
And some believed that this empire is a creation of the Chola prince
and Naga Princess of Sri Lanka. The first Pallava King ruled in the
beginning of the 4th century. By the end of the 7th century, there
were three major Kingdoms in the south India namely The Chalukyas
of Badami, The Pandyas of Madurai and the Pallavas of Kanchipuram.
In 625AD, their region starts from the north of the Andhra Pradesh to
the Kaveri river in the south.

Sivaskanda Varman is believed to be the first ruler of Pallava’s. He is

greatest among the early rulers. He ruled at the beginning of the 4th
century. He performed Ashwamedha and other Vedic sacrifices.

Simha Varman(Simha
Vishnu) was the second
ruler of the Pallava’s who
ruled from 575 AD to 600
AD. He was a Buddhist. He
was very good in war as he was very strong enough to destroy
kingdom. With the help of his power he also included Sri Lanka to his
territory.
By defeating other small Tamil rulers in the South India, he was able
to conquest the southern India. Chalukyas of Badami become the
enemy of Pallava during his reign.

Mahendra Varman 1 (600 AD – 630 AD)was the third ruler of Pallava

dynasty. He was the son of Simha Varman and succeeded his father
in 600 AD. He was very intelligent and creative by mind. At the time
of his reign, he introduced Rock-cut Temple architecture in which a
whole rock is cut down to form a Temple. He was a Jain but later
converted into Saivism (those people who follows Lord Shiv).
Mahendra Varman was also a poet by profession and he has
composed books like Vichitrachita and Mahavilasa Prahasana.
Chalukya empire was big threaten to this empire and Mahendra
Varman has a great rivalry with the Pulakesin 2 of Chalukya danysty.
During battle with Chalukya, Mahendra Varman died and Chalukya
king set their foot back because there was new ruler to rule the
Pallava empire and that was the Son of Mahendra Varman.

Narasimha Varman (630 AD – 668 AD) succeeded his father

Mahendra Varman during the battle when his father was killed by
the Chalukya king Pulakesin 2. After his father death, he himself
declared a king and killed the Pulakesin 2 during same war. After
killing the Chalukya king, Narasimha Varman took the control over
Badami (Capital of Chalukya). Badami was also known as Vatapi, and
after conquering Vatapi, people gaved him a title named
‘Vatapikonda’ which means the King of Vatapi. And he also defeated
half of the Cholas, Pandyas and Cheras empire. He founded a city and
named it Mahabalipuram. Great traveler Huien Tsang visited Pallava
Kingdom during his reign in 640 AD. Huien Tsang describes the
people living in his kingdom happily. He also says about the social
life, agricultural life, political life. Narsimha Varman was succeeded
by his son Mahendra Varman 2 in 668 AD and Mahendra Varman
ruled from 668 AD to 670 AD.

Point to remember –
1- After Mahendra Varman 2 , his son Parmeshwar Varman
starting to rule the empire. He was very weak ruler and when
Chalukya find that there is a new and weak ruler in the Pallava
court, then they start to attack Kanchipuram and Chalukya
were successful in conquering the capital of Pallava’s.
2- Nripatunga was the important King of Pallava dynasty who
defeated Pandya king in the war of Pallava and Pandya.
3- There last ruler of the Pallava dynasty was Aparajita Varman
who was killed by the Cholas in the battle and we can say that
from the death of Aparajita Varman the Pallava dynasty ended.

Sources –
1- The Tamil literature consists of the song composed by
Azhalvars and Nayanmars.
2- The Sanskrit works like Sundari Katha written by Dandin and
Loga Vibagam written by Sarva Nandi tells us about Simha
Varman and his rule.
3- Mahendra Varman 1 wrote himself a book named Mathavilasa
in Sanskrit Language.
4- Sri Lankan books like Deepavamsa and Mahavamsa tells us
about the relation of the Pallava with the Sri Lanka. These book
were written in the Pali language.
5- Huien Tsang describes all about the Pallava empire in his
descriptions when he visited the Pallava empire in 640 AD.