The Pallavas were a dynasty that ruled over southeastern India from the 3rd to the 9th centuries CE. This article discusses their history and administration.
History
Early Pallavas: They rose to power during the latter part of the Ikshvaku rule in Andhra. Simhavarma defeated the Ikshvaku king Rudrapurushadatta in 300 CE and established Pallava rule in Coastal Andhra.
Imperial Pallavas: Simhavishnu was the first ruler of this line, who defeated the Kalabhras and established the "Age of the Imperial Pallavas." Narasimhavarman I was the greatest of the Pallavas who raised the power and prestige of the dynasty to an amazing height. Mahendravarman II ruled for only two years before being killed by Chalukya king Vikramaditya I.
End of Pallava Rule: Vikramaditya II's attack and the temporary occupation of Kanchi marked the beginning of the end of the Pallava supremacy over South India. The Pandyas, western Gangas, and Rashtrakutas attacked the Pallava kingdom. The Pallava rule lasted until the end of the 9th Century CE.
Administration
- The Pallavas had a well-organized administrative system.
- Monarchy was the order of the day.
- The king was the head of the state, the fountain of honour, judge, and leader of the armed forces.
- The Pallava state was divided into Kottams, which were administered by officers appointed by the king.
- The village was the basic unit of administration.
- Different types of villages existed during this period, such as villages with inter-caste population, Brahmadeya, and Devadana.
- The village administration was run by various local autonomous assemblies.
- Every village had a court of justice, viz. Dharamasasana.
- Every village was provided with professional servants like potters, weavers, carpenters, smiths, etc.
- The village acted like self-sufficient miniature republics in the Pallava period.
- Entrusting the administration of a smaller territorial to an assembly or a local autonomous institution appears to be a very important feature of the Pallava polity.
- Land revenue was the major source of income.
- The Pallavas also levied taxes on professions, marriages, manufacture of salt, sugar and textiles, draught cattle etc.,
- It is evident from the testimony of Hiuen Tsang that the people were very hard working and the soil was very fertile, the labourers who did agricultural work were paid in kind.
Religion:
- Buddhism and Jainism were active in Pallava kingdom, but lost patronage and support to rise of Vedic religion.
- Pallava kings followed both Vaishnavism and Saivism, and performed Vedic sacrifices.
- Bhakti movement dominated religious life from 7th century, with Alvars and Nayanars propagating it.
Sankaracharya advocated Advaita philosophy to make Vedic philosophy comprehensible and acceptable.
Education and Literature:
- Pallavas were patrons of learning, with University of Kanchi attracting students from India and abroad.
- Several works in Sanskrit and Tamil literature produced, including the Kiratarjuniyam, Dasakumaracharita, and Mahabharata.
- Thevaram and Nalayaradivyaprabhandam represent religious literature of the period.
- Tamil devotional saints used music and dance in temple festivals.
Art and Architecture:
- Religious revival gave impetus to architectural activity.
- Pallavas contributed greatly to Indian Art and Architecture, with evolution from cave temples to structural temples.
- Pancha Pandava Rathas at Mamallapuram represent five different styles of architecture.
- Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi and Shore temple at Mamallapuram are examples of early structural temples.
- Pallavas contributed to sculpture, with masterpieces such as the Descent of Ganges or Penance of Arjuna.
- Music, dance, and painting also developed under Pallava patronage, with paintings at the caves of Sittannavasal.
Legacy:
Pallavas became torch-bearers of Hindu culture in South-East Asia, paving the way for the creation of Greater India.
