Far East Kingdoms

Pallavas

The Pallavas ruled in Mysore, Karnatka, and southern India, and later they conquered vast areas of the sub-continent, expanding across much of it into Afghanistan during the reigns of Dharmapala and Devapala.

The origins of the Pallavas have always been an issue of speculation. There have been claims that they were the former governors of the Satvahanas, while some claim they descend from the Cholas. There is also one rather bizarre theory which states that 'Pallava' is an adulteration of the word 'Pahlava' for the Parthians of Central Asia and Iran. However, in Sanskrit the word 'Pallava' actually means a 'twig' and their Tamil lineage is by and large accepted by all. Pallava rule can be categorised as 'Early Pallava Rule' (up to around AD 550 and the arrival on the scene of Simhavishnu, their great king), and 'Later Pallava Rule' (from Simhavishnu onwards).

(Information by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha.)

Early Pallavas
AD 5th Century - c.550

The Pallavas at the zenith of their power ruled present day Andhra Pradesh, the northern parts of Tamil Nadu, and parts of southern Karnataka. Their capital was at Kanchipuram (the region around Kanchi known as Tondaimandalam). They gained prominence after the decline of the Satvahanas and the Cholas, as they gained a foothold in the territories of both former powers. The genealogy of the early Pallava kings is very confusing, but in the book 'Early Pallavas', author D C Sircar provides a highly useful summary.

fl c.275 - 300

Simhavarman I

Father of Sivaskandavarman. Began the kingdom.

fl c.300 - 330

Sivaskandavarman

Skandavarman

Skandavarman issues a grant during his reign that is now at the British Museum. He performs the Ashwamedha Sacrifice after increasing the borders of his kingdom, extending the territory under his rule from Krishna to the South Pennar and Berar districts.

The Pallavas are famous for their magnificent temples in present day Tamil Nadu, one of the most famous being the Ratha Temple at Mamalapuram

Vishnugopa

c.330 - 375

Vishnugopa comes in conflict with the great Gupta king, Samudragupta, and is defeated. Around this time, the Pallavas count the Western Gangas as their vassals.

Skandavarman II

Son.

Kumaravishnu I

Son.

Buddhavarman

Son.

Kumaravishnu II

Son. Issued the Chendalur grant.

? - 436

Skandavarman III

Son.

436 - 458

Simhavarman

Son.

c.480 - 500

Nandivarman

Issued the Udayendiram grant.

fl c.510

Candadanda

Candadanda comes into contact with the Kadamba king, Ravivarma, in the first quarter of the sixth century (before 519). The Kadamba attack is thwarted, but Pallava power is declining anyway, and the Western Gangas declare their independence about 529.

Simhavarman II

Son.

c.550

The son of Simhavarman II is Simhavishnu, and it is he who leads the revival of Pallava power, beginning what is subsequently known as the Later Pallava period.

Later Pallavas
AD c.550 - 891

Simhavishnu reign in around AD 550 (a reign of  thirty-plus years), beginning the Pallava revival. He recreated a strong Pallava kingdom by subduing many kings in the south (such as the Kalabhras, Pandyas, Cholas, Cheras, and the king of Ceylon). His kingdom soon extended beyond Kanchi (as far as the River Kaveri). Through his naval expeditions he subdued Malaya (Indo-China) and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Simhavishnu also patronised literature and poetry. He was said to be a patron of the great Sanskrit poet, Bharavi, and was himself a Vaishnavite Hindu by religion.

fl c.550

Simhavishnu

Son of Simhavarman II. Ruled for about 30 years.

c.600 - 630

Mahendravarman I

Son.

Mahendravarman wards off an attack on Kanchipuram by Chalukya king Pulakeshi II, though he has to cede areas of his northern territories to the Chalukyas.

Mahendravarman contributed greatly to architecture and promoted rock-cut temples in his kingdom such as the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram

c.630 - 668

Narsimhavarman I

Son.

642

Narsimhavarman I defeats the Chalukyas under Pulakeshi II and wrests back the territories lost by his father. He also attacks and plunders Vatapi (Badami), the capital of the Chalukyas, killing Pulakeshi II in the process. He later subdues the Cholas and the Cheras, and is said to help the Ceylonese prince, Manavamma, in gaining his kingdom.

668 - 670

Mahendravarman II

Son. Killed in battle.

670

Mahendravarman II is killed in a collective attack by the Chalukyas, the Gangas and the Pandyas.

670 - 695

Paramesvaram I

Son. Continued to fight the Chalukyas.

695 - 722

Narsimhavarman II Rajasimha

Son. Built the Kailasnatha temple at Kanchi.

722 - 730

Parmeswaram II

Son. Continued to fight the Chalukyas. Died without an heir.

730 - 796

Nandivarman II

Related to Parmeswaram II. Continued to fight the Chalukyas.

796 - 840

Dantivarman / Dandivarman

During the reign of Dantivarman the Pandyas and the Rashtrkutas defeat the Pallavas. His successor, Nandivarman III, tries to regain the lost glory of the Pallavas but is also defeated by the Pandyas.

840 - ?

Nandivarman III

Nripatunga

Nripatunga manages to turn the tables on the Pandyas and inflict a defeat on them under their king, Srimara Srivallabha, as one last salve to Pallava pride.

? - 891

Aparajita

Last Pallava king.

891

Aparajita tries to revive the the fortunes of the Pallavas by defeating the Pandyas again, with the help of the Cholas who are his vassals, but in 891 the Chola king, Aditya, breaks the yoke of his Pallava overlords and completely defeats them. This allows the Cholas to established their own supremacy in southern India.

During the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the Kadava dynasty comes to prominence. It claims descent from the Pallavas. Its most notable kings, Koperunchinga I (1216-1242) and Koperunchinga II (1243-1279) are said to be instrumental in the destruction of the Chola dynasty.