The Pallavas (4th–9th century A.D.) rose to power in South India with their capital at Kanchipuram. They were great patrons of art and architecture, and their reign laid the foundation for South Indian temple culture.
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Sources
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Inscriptions: Copper plate grants like the Kasakudi and Udayendiram plates, and stone inscriptions.
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Literary sources: Works of Dandin (Dasakumaracharita) and Bharavi (Kiratarjuniya).
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Accounts of Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese pilgrim, who visited Kanchipuram during Narasimhavarman I’s reign.
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Archaeological sources: Temples at Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, and stone sculptures.
Administration
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King was the supreme authority with divine right of kingship.
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The empire was divided into Kottams (provinces) and Nadus (districts).
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Local administration carried out by assemblies and village bodies.
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Revenue mainly from land tax, trade, and customs duties.
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Maintained a powerful army and navy; Pallavas were noted for conflicts with the Chalukyas of Badami and later the Pandyas.
Social Conditions
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Society was organized around the varna system, but less rigid compared to North India.
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Brahmins held high status and were often granted land.
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Women took part in religious activities; education was available for both men and women in higher classes.
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Caste distinctions existed, but guilds and local assemblies played an important social role.
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The Pallava period witnessed growth of Sanskrit and Tamil literature.
Economic Conditions
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Predominantly agricultural economy supported by irrigation.
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Construction of tanks, wells, and canals to support farming.
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Trade flourished both internally and externally.
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Ports like Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) connected India with Southeast Asia.
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Industries included weaving, stone-cutting, ivory work, and sculpture.
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Coinage with images of bulls, lions, and deities was in circulation.
Cultural Conditions
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Pallavas were great patrons of art, architecture, and learning.
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Temple architecture: They pioneered rock-cut temples and later structural temples.
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Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) monuments like the Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas, and cave temples were built during Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla) and Rajasimha.
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These marked the beginning of Dravidian temple architecture.
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Sculpture: Rich carvings like Descent of the Ganges (Arjuna’s Penance) at Mahabalipuram.
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Religion: Mainly Shaivism and Vaishnavism flourished, though Buddhism also survived.
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Literature: Sanskrit scholars like Dandin and Tamil poets like Perundevanar enriched literature.
Key Takeaway
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The Pallavas established a strong kingdom with Kanchipuram as a cultural hub.
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They laid the foundation of South Indian temple architecture that influenced later Cholas and Vijayanagar rulers.
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Their reign was marked by religious tolerance, flourishing trade, and remarkable contributions to art, architecture, and literature.