Dynasty of pallavas

The pallava dynasty is the one the great dynasty in Southern India which rules from Southern parts of Andhra pradesh and Northern part of tamilnadu. In this pdf I mentioned about Pallava kings and three famous battles between pallavas and Chalukyas .

1. Pallavas
Dynasty of
Presented by: P.Nissy
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2. Introduction
The Pallava dynasty existed from 275 CE to 897 CE, ruling a significant
Portion in southern part of india. The dynasty rose to prominence after the downfall of the
Sathavahana dynasty, with whom they had formerly served as feudatories.
The Pallavas became a major South India power during the reign of Mahendravarman I
(600–630 CE) and Narasimhavarman I (630–668 CE), and dominated the southern
Andhra Region and the northern parts of the Tamil region for about 600 years, until the
end of the 9th century.
Throughout their period , they remained in constant conflict with both the Chalukyas of
Badami in the north, and the Tamil kingdoms of Chola and Pandyas in the South.

3. The Pallavas are most noted for their patronage of Hindu temple architecture, the
finest example being the Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in
Mamallapuram.
Kancheepuram served as the capital of the Pallava kingdom. The dynasty left
behind magnificent sculptures and temples, and are recognised to have established
the foundations of medieval South Indian architecture also called as Birth place of
South Indian architecture.
The Chinese traveller Xuanzang visited Kanchipuram during Pallava rule who
was the Buddhist monk and decided to travel throughout India.

4. Extension Pallava dynasty
The Pallava capital was Kanchipuram.
Their territories at the height of their powers
extended from the northern part of Andhra Pradesh
to River Kaveri in the South.
During the seventh century, the Cholas were
reduced to a marginal state by the authority of the
Pallavas.
Vatapi (Badami) was occupied by the Pallava king
Narasimhavarman who defeated the Chalukyas.

5. The Kalabhra uprising was crushed by the Pandyas, Chalukyas and the Pallavas
jointly. The Kalabhras were protesting against the numerous land grants
(Brahamadeya) to Brahmanas made by the Brahmanic rulers of the three dynasties
Political history of Pallavas
The origins of the Pallavas are shrouded in mystery. There are several theories
propounded by historians.
Some historians say they are a branch of the Parthian people (a tribe from Iran) who
gradually migrated to South India.
Some say they are an indigenous dynasty that arose within the Southern region and
were a mix of various tribes.
Some experts believe them to be of Naga origin who first settled around the
Tondaimandalam region near Madras.

6. Rulers of Pallava empire
There are later and early rulers of pallava empire but there is no proper information about
kings. The founder of sathavahana dynasty was Simha vishnu but, the most extension of
territory was occurred at the time of Mahendravarma-I and Narasimhavarman-I.
Succeeded Simhavishnu who was his father.
He was a poet and composed Vichitrachita and Mahavilasa Prahasana.
He introduced rock-cut temple architecture.
Had on-going rivalry and battles with Pulakesin II of Chalukya dynasty.
Mahendravarman died in battle with the Chalukyas. He was an able and efficient
ruler.
He was Saivite later converted into jainism
His titles were chitrakarapuli,mattavilasa,Gunbhadra,Chattakari,lalitankura and
vichitrachitta.
Mahendravarman (Reign: 600 AD – 630 AD)

7. Son and successor of Mahendravarman.
Considered the greatest of the Pallavas.
Defeated and killed Pulakesin II in 642 AD. He took control of Vatapi, the Chalukya
capital and assumed the title ‘Vatapikonda’.
Also Defeted cholas, Cheras and the Pandyas.
He founded the city of Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram which is named after him.
Hiuen Tsang visited the Pallava kingdom during his reign in about 640 AD and he
describes the people living in his kingdom as happy.
He also says there was an abundance of agricultural products.
Great Nayannar saints like Appar, Tirugnanasambandar and Siruthondar lived during
his reign.
He was succeeded by his son Mahendravarman II who ruled from 668 to 670 AD.
Narasimhavarman I (630 AD – 668 AD)

8. Conflict between the Pallavas and Chalukyas
The principal interest in the political history of peninsular India from the sixth to the
eighth century centres around the long struggle for supremacy between the Pallavas
of Kanchi and the Chalukyas of Badami.
Although both the Pallavas and the Chalukyas championed Brahmanism,
performed Vedic sacrifices, and made grants to the brahmanas, the two quarrelled
with each other over plunder, prestige, and territorial resources. Both tried to establish
supremacy over the land lying between the Krishna and the Tungabhadra. This doab
was again the bone of conflict in late medieval times between the Vijayanagar and the
Bahmani kingdoms.

9. The first important event in this long conflict took place during the reign of Pulakeshin II
(609-42), the most famous Chalukya king. He is known to us from the eulogy written on
him by the court poet Ravikirti in the Aihole inscription. This inscription is a valuable
source of Pulakeshin II.
Pulakeshin II won the battle and conquered the entire area between the Krishna and
the Godavari, which came to be known as the province of Vengi. Here, a branch of the
main dynasty was set up and is known as the eastern Chalukyas of Vengi. However,
Pulakeshin’s second invasion of Pallava territory ended in failure.
The Battle of Vatapi was a decisive battle which took place between the Pallavas and
Chalukyas near the Chalukya capital of Vatapi (present day Badami) in 642. The battle
resulted in the defeat of the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II in the hands of Narasimhavarman
I and the commencement of Pallava occupation of Vatapi lasted until 654.

10. The Pallava king Narasimhavarman (AD 630-68) occupied the Chalukya capital at
Vatapi in about ad 642, when Pulakesin II was probably killed in a battle against the
Pallavas. Narasimhavarman assumed the title of Vatapikonda or the conqueror of
Vatapi. He is also defeated the Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas, and the Kalabhras.
After all again battle took place in the reign of Chalukya king Vikramaditya II (AD 733—
45) he attacked on Kanchi three times. In ad 740 he completely routed the Pallavas. His
victory ended the Pallava supremacy in the far south.
Conclusion
The pallavas were became the powerful dynasty and they have sufficient economy
through the international trade. The Pallavas ruled south-eastern India from the 3rd
through the 9th centuries CE. Their empire covered what is today the Tamilnadu state
and Rayalaseema. They contributed to paintings,Architecture and literature.

11. Thank You