Origin of the Pallavas

1. Origin of the Pallavas

2. Origin of the Pallavas . There are many theories regarding the origin of the Pallavas . Some scholars consider that the Pallavas were foreigners . According to this theory , the Pallavas were the Descendants of the Persians who invaded North India . The theory that the Tamil Country had been the original home of the Pallavas is based on the story of ThondaimanIlanthiraiyan , considered to be a descendent of the Chola –Naga tribes . It is generally considered that the Pallavas had migrated to the Tamil Country from North India , they served under the Mauryas .

3. Politics of the Pallavas. Mehendravarman –I AD . 600 – 630 The History of the Pallavas begins with the reign of Simhavishnu . He defeated and eliminated the Kalabhras from the Tamil Country . Simhavishnu was succeeded by his son Mahendravarman I , a follower of Jainism , Later , he followed Saivism due to the influence of the Saivaite Saint Tirunavukkarasar , who is also known as Appar . The Pallava – Chalukya conflict had began during the period of Mahendravarman -I The Chalukyan king Pulakesin II marched against the Pallavas and defeated Mahendravarman –I Mahendravarman – I chased his enemy and defeated the Chalukyan army at Pullalur .

4. Mahendravarman –I had also defeated the Western Ganga ruler Durvinitha . He assumed the titles Sathrumallan and Kalagappriyan shows his military genius . Other titles such as Chttrakkarappuli , VichitraChitha , Mathavilasa , Sangiranajathi reveals his interest in Literature , Art and Music . Narasimhavarman -I ( AD 630 – 668 ) He was the son and successor of Mahendravarman –I . Narasimhavarman had defeated the Chalukyan ruler Pulakesin –II at Manimangalam Then he marched with his army towards the Chalukyan Kingdom . The Commander in Chief of the Pallava army was Paranjothi , Pulakesin -II was defeated and killed in the battle . The Chalukyan capital Vathapi was set to fire and destroyed . After this victory , Narasimhavarman –I had assumed the title of VathapiKondan .

5. Narasimhavarman –I had sent two expeditions to Ceylon and helped his friend Manavarman to get back his kingdom . During his period , the Chinese traveller Hiuen – Tsang visited the Pallava capital Kanchipuram . He stayed there for some time and studied in the Buddhist Kadigai . He had given detailed information regarding the greatness of Kanchi in his travel account . He assumed many titles such as Mamallan , Sribharan , Srimehan , Srinithi and Vadhya – Vidyatharan . He was succeeded by Mahendravarman –II , Parameshwaravarman –I , Narasimhavarman –II ( Rajasimha ) and others .

6. Narasimhavarman –II ( Rajasimha ) - 695 – 722 AD ) He was also known as Rajasimha . His period was peaceful and he showed much interest in developing the Art and Architecture . The Shore temple at Mamallapuram and the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram were built in this period and also a great patron of Art and Letters . The famous Sanskrit Scholar Dandin was the Court poet of Narasimhavarman –II . He sent embassies To China to maintained their trade relations .. He assumed the titles like Sankarabhakta and Agama Priya . He was succeeded by Parameswaravarman – II and Nandivarman –II . The Pallava rule lasted till the end of the 9th Century AD . The Chola king Aditya -I defeated the last Pallava ruler Aparajita and seized the Kanchipuram region , with this , the rule of Pallava dynasty came to an end .