{"id":3573,"date":"2026-01-03T14:42:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T09:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=3573"},"modified":"2026-01-03T15:53:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T10:23:27","slug":"pallavas-of-kanchi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/pallavas-of-kanchi\/","title":{"rendered":"Pallavas of Kanchi, UPSC Prelims 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>Emergence of Pallavas of Kanchi<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Simhavishnu defeated Kalabhras and inaugurated the rule of imperial Pallavas.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The Pallavas rose to power during the reign of\u00a0<strong>Mahendravarman and Narasimhavarman-I.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li>Throughout their reign, they were in constant conflict with the Chalukyas of Vatapi in the north and the Tamil kingdoms of Cholas and Pandya in the south.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Region:\u00a0<\/strong>The Pallavas established their\u00a0<strong>authority over south Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu, with the capital at Kanchi.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Kanchi<\/strong>: Under them became an important temple town and a\u00a0<strong>centre of trade and commerce.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/ooaxnHqXcjYJbPWydSxK-0tBxTI_kz9REydpdxGeFLRV7IUnR0-x4MwXYIWS3OkEoNsuYqiaXfcAeH8DTkecBaNh9I7iDlIfj6frt0hURcWzjkxl2_utSiC2lEvppYdSS4q5DkybXQPUQBpCu3yhjA\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\r\n<figure>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" colspan=\"14\"><strong>Pallavas of Kanchi - Rulers and their Contributions<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"7\">Period:\u00a0<strong>575- 897 AD<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td colspan=\"7\">Capital:\u00a0<strong>Kanchi<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"14\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Pallavas are noted for their patronage of Hindu temple architecture.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>By the time of Pallavas, south India was contested by the other two kingdoms of Chalukyas of Badami and Pandyas of Madurai.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Simhavishnu (575-590 AD)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td colspan=\"12\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>The real founder of the Pallava dynasty.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Rise:<\/strong>\u00a0Defeating Kalabhras inaugurated the rule of imperial Pallavas.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Royal Titles:<\/strong>\u00a0Avanisimha (lion of the Earth) and Simhavishnupottarayan.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Bharavi:\u00a0<\/strong>Court poet.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Wrote\u00a0<strong>Kirat Arjuneeya\u00a0<\/strong>(Duel between Siva and Arjuna).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\">\r\n<p><strong>Mahendravarman I<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>(600-630 AD)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td colspan=\"12\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Under him, the Pallavas became a major political power.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Titles:\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Mattavilasa-\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Addicted to pleasures<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Chitrakarapuli-<\/strong>\u00a0Tiger among the painters<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Lalitankura-<\/strong>\u00a0Charming offspring<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Gunabhara-<\/strong>\u00a0Virtuous<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Chattakari-\u00a0<\/strong>Temple builder, and<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Vichitrachitta-\u00a0<\/strong>Curious-minded.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Battle of Pullalur, AD 618-19:\u00a0<\/strong>Killed by Chalukyan King Pulakesin II.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"12\"><strong>Art, Architecture, and Literature under Mahendravarman I<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"12\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Tamil literature:\u00a0<\/strong>flourished under his rule\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>For example, Appar and Sambandhar wrote Tevaram.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Mattavilasa Prahasana<\/strong>\u00a0(Sanskrit satire): Written by Mahendravarman I.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Mahendra Style:\u00a0<\/strong>He added a new style to Dravidian architecture.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Bhagwatajjukam\u00a0<\/strong>(Satire): Written by Bodhayan.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>King Mahendravarman mentioned this\u00a0<strong>on a stone inscription in Mamandur\u00a0<\/strong>along with his own Mattavilas Prahasan.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Monuments at Mamallapuram<\/strong>: Those\u00a0<strong>dedicated to Shiva<\/strong>\u00a0were constructed under his rule.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Narsimhavarman I (630-668 AD)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td colspan=\"12\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>He is considered the\u00a0<strong>greatest Pallava ruler.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li>He took the title of<strong>\u00a0Mamalla (great warrior).<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Vatapikonda:<\/strong>\u00a0He defeated and killed Chalukyan ruler Pulakesin II and\u00a0<strong>destroyed the Chalukyan capital Vatapi.\u00a0<\/strong>He took the title\u00a0<strong>Vatapikonda (conqueror of Vatapi)<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Mahabalipuram:\u00a0<\/strong>It was a Port city founded by\u00a0<strong>Narsimhavarman I<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Seven Ratha Temple\u00a0<\/strong>under his reign.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas also suffered defeat at his hands.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Ceylon Invasion:\u00a0<\/strong>He invaded Ceylon (Sri Lanka) twice to help Manavamma, an exiled Ceylonese prince who had come to him seeking his support in securing the throne of Ceylon.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Hsuen Tsang: The Chinese traveller\u00a0<\/strong>visited Kanchipuram in 642 CE during his reign.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Narsimhaavarman II (Rajamalla) (695-722 AD)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td colspan=\"12\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Peaceful Reign:\u00a0<\/strong>The reign of\u00a0<strong>Narsimhaavarman II was peaceful\u00a0<\/strong>as battles between Chalukyas and Pallavas came to a halt.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>He sent embassies to China.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>He is credited with the construction of\u00a0<strong>Shore Temple and Kailashnath Temple.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<figure>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Art and Architecture under Pallavas of Kanchi<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"2\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong><u>Dravidian Style<\/u><\/strong><strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Rock-cut architecture laid the foundation for the Dravidian style of architecture in south India. The Pallavas are credited with the introduction of this style.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Evolution:<\/strong>\u00a0Pallava architecture progressively evolved from rock-cut temples to monolithic rathas, and finally, it gave way to structural temples.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The evolution of Pallava architecture can be divided into four different stages or styles, viz.<strong>\u00a0Mahendra Style, Mamalla Style, Rajasimha Style, Nandivarman Style.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Influence of Pallava Architecture:<\/strong>\u00a0It influenced Southeast Asian temple architecture.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Mahendravarman style of Architecture<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/2l3XCj0GAkNItOwjEqjeoIk2Mp2qT1eI8JLf4_Ls7pJlfTDhWj9WozhPzRjjWES1EwDz9bzKLITfd7YWpDvYUT2YrWmraQlj4GIYDl6riBmrXe7f7-a-H0rKk-Pvafny5n6Fbggl-_p9suGuh8lIMw\" alt=\"\" \/><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>The Pallava architecture began from the time of\u00a0<strong>Mahendravarman I<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It did not use\u00a0<strong>bricks, iron, lime, wood<\/strong>, etc.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Temples built in the Mahendravarman style of Architecture were termed\u00a0<strong>\u2018Mandapas\u2019<\/strong>. These Mandapas were the pillared Varandas which consisted of Garbhagirha at the end.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Examples:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Rock-cut temples at\u00a0<strong>Mahabalipuram<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Trimurti Mandapa of Mandaggapattu.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Panchapandava Mandapa of Pallvaram.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Mahendravishnu Mandapa of Mahendravadi.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Lalitankur Pallavaveshwar Griha Mandapa of Trichinapalli.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Mamalla style of Architecture\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/KqOVebTDzpaPaGr6aNh7kWu47SZGmy5nqiibTwgT8TGrzgRjYX66JpuQ9mEvY8B88DcSVsKnQ92-bsWaSebrPN69nVjisTBt4tevyMuSAtPlz1ekXhBlZ0Mlc8R7SDefnGAdNLl5EEfsc9fV0sI8Vg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Two styles<\/strong>\u00a0of temples can be seen in the Mamalla style of architecture: Mandapas and Rathas.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The\u00a0<strong>Mandapas\u00a0<\/strong>are more ornamental, with pillars built on lions' heads.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Examples: Varaha Mandapa, Mahisasur Mandapa, and Pancha Pandava Mandapa, etc<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The second component of the Mamalla style of architecture was the\u00a0<strong>free-standing monolithic shrines called \u2018Rathas\u2019 (chariots) built of granites<\/strong>\u00a0which were constructed alongside pillared halls.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Western architects call these rathas \u2018Seven Pagodas\u2019 or \u2018Seven Rathas\u2019 as they are seven in number.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Examples:\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Draupadi Ratha.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Dharmaraja Ratha.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The Bhim Ratha<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Ganesha Ratha.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Rajasimha style of Architecture<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/7yvdNeDLIxwQbiQ3-q44x_4k4Ww1vYonaZBbn-7FjhzcKNIesQFZiVqEoTiye9Lj_WTAWoc6-sQrNrTAjWbg0X5E9i3jpRwz8m8-RbTGNYRxekamhYOxEnFN9dI7ST2xa7Qdqq424ynENT_GtinPZQ\" alt=\"\" \/><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Rajasimha style of Architecture\u00a0<\/strong>began under the reign of\u00a0<strong>Narsimhavarman II.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li>Temples were built using<strong>\u00a0bricks, wood, stones, etc.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li>Examples:\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Ishwariya temple.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Mukunda temple.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The Shore temple of Mahabalipuram.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The Kailasha temple of Kanchi.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Vaikunthaperumal temple.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Nandivarman style of Architecture\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/mLGV2gcGpKe-gl2TY0vPPAXgze_ccj0rg4a--IUrX7P574KReVkWEeDl5v1RfR7CYoYoTIPZFj0EuzNjNnfDWCc4FhLNiYBRWg5foknAAkULhG50iR0FUlBMGvcmI7lkOt-L5WwfELPfxlv-dszUWg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Pallava architecture began to decline once the Rajasimha style of architecture declined.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The temples of this style\u00a0<strong>were comparatively smaller in size, less ornamented, and lacked innovation<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Examples:\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Mukteshawara temple<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Matangeshwara temple of Kanchi.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<figure>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Temples and Structures under Pallavas of Kanchi<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong><u>Shore Temple\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><strong>(Mahabalipuram)<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/PYpshuFNsAg04V4dTLcSrBtJs4BuNU7cBbnSu1kurfX1aKInA9U2qxVSShKJbAfRPGusyxkYdBtSDl8cE4DfPgjaWpiZjYK2psIZrUaC45Y845kxUh4Hi_rmJhDqlnsVlvtr40kvLhYMwhGJ5QRFbg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Architectural creations that were<strong>\u00a0initiated by King Narasimhavarman II.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Called Seven Pagodas<\/strong>\u00a0by Marco Polo and European Travellers.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Difference from\u00a0<strong>Dharmaraja\u00a0<\/strong>Ratha: It is a\u00a0<strong>structural temple and not a rock-cut one.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li>Built with blocks of<strong>\u00a0granite.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li>The temple is a<strong>\u00a0combination of three shrines.\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>The main shrine<\/strong>\u00a0is dedicated to Shiva, as is the smaller second shrine.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>A small third shrine<\/strong>\u00a0is dedicated to a reclining Vishnu.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Lion Monolith:\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Partly carved and partly sculpted lion.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>A miniature image of Durga is sculpted on the back of the image, depicting Durga as Mahishasuramardini.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The open mouth of the lion is inferred as a representation of its role as the favourite lion.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>A\u00a0<\/strong><strong><u>UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/u><\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li>The architecture of the Shore Temple was continued by the Cholas (in the temples they built), who ruled Tamil Nadu after defeating the Pallavas.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><u>Kailashnath Temple<\/u><\/strong><strong>\u00a0(Kanchipuram)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>(Along Vedavati River<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><strong><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/ldNUvR1hEzZe1fwij07rc68Isr22GoEBiBvHaznxJZroLdb_b0Lnqej83C6SqvgMkx0VDMbbwKv1MVkB69EzvXbaqel2rZS9BEQEhQ6fGToGah-Vrs-ZVR9py668gXIdurrmTIPO1rCST7dH54ia3w\" alt=\"\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>It was\u00a0<strong>Built by Narasimhavarman II<\/strong>\u00a0shortly after the construction of Shore Temple in the 8th century A.D.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Kailashnath Temple is\u00a0<\/strong>more extensive in dimensions as compared to the\u00a0<strong>Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram.<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>It is situated in a rectangular courtyard\u00a0<\/strong>surrounded by a peristyle compos, noncontinuous series of cells resembling rathas.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It is the<strong>\u00a0biggest sandstone temple in the world.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li>The\u00a0<strong>foundation\u00a0<\/strong>of this temple is made of\u00a0<strong>granite.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>The main shrine\u00a0<\/strong>(sanctum sanctorum) has 16-sided Shivalinga made in<strong>\u00a0black granite.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li>There are two\u00a0<strong>sculptures of Shiva<\/strong>\u00a0here, which are seen holding the\u00a0<strong>alapini veena<\/strong>\u00a0(musical string instrument).<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Unique Feature:<\/strong>\u00a058\u00a0<strong>devakulikas<\/strong>\u00a0(mini-shrines) that run around the main temple.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Frescoes that portrayed scenes from the Sivalila and sculptures of Uma Mahesvara, Parvati, Ganapati, and Kartikeya, among others.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The inscriptions in\u00a0<strong>Pallava grantha<\/strong>\u00a0on the temple walls include the<strong>\u00a0various titles of Narasimhavarman II,\u00a0<\/strong>such as Rajasimhan, Ajiranakanta, Srithara, Ranathira, and Kshatriya Simhesvara.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong>Seven Ratha Temple<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><strong><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/ttIYRKl6ahy-nWngdSaiq2y2qvJc546B3OoZJov7MfBzZrka_d9hR90d2Yokg6CJf0t13IYLoltFANiiCUNCYUk45lh4Ac3lhZIJpG7oCgb5NVGl9mg1y7mkshrtu9hNu1aFT_DS-ltjSx-lQ6tg6w\" alt=\"\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>It was built under Narsimhavarman I.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It transitions<strong>\u00a0between<\/strong>\u00a0the earlier tradition of rock-carved cave temples and the later tradition of freestanding stone structures.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It attempted to imitate\u00a0<strong>free-standing stone construction in the living rock.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>The structural detailing<\/strong>\u00a0of the Ratha temples carefully\u00a0<strong>imitates wooden timber supports, pilasters, beams, and brackets.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Vaikunth Perumal Temple<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/AS5ZgC7Uk4GBgp70Hw5A02p5sMFU1u1mEt9ddRHN4K3WdUD1uqpOlwwWsn5HFMrP0fMrk8LZ-uPUlUH4FA7bWDSzrA3bBhFVOsAuwM-W_8ZGAw1-b_jJio2WmC3aoQ5RIfZLrzVpBZIcDx191_J7-g\" alt=\"\" \/><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>It is the<strong>\u00a0biggest sandstone temple built in the post-Rajasimha period.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li>It was built by Paramesvaravarman alias Nandivarman II (736-796 A.D.) and is dedicated to Vishnu.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Chaturasa tri-tala\u00a0<\/strong>(three-storeyed square): Functional vimana to enshrine Vishnu in three forms, standing (sthanaka), sitting (asana), and reclining (sayana).<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Alvars have praised the temple as Paramesvara Vinnagaram.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>The most significant feature:\u00a0<\/strong>Depiction of\u00a0<strong>Nandivarman II ascending the throne.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li>There is a\u00a0<strong>sculpture of a visiting Chinese pilgrim too.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong>The Descent of the Ganges (Mahabalipuram)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><strong><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/k5lgVuuPGuFccRnvVmbY_8ie_Yh1D5rjf-FmElkfDMz4pEPS9jG-7GQY3lF72TPzoTrOGmMHyhWzjSQSXshIa4RCajNaREsbfFCdUsmMPg7LIp-gkbU2Cry6QKDHBYwit7DDNJhzGkTk9Xy_0z6Irw\" alt=\"\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>is also called\u00a0<strong>\u201cArjuna\u2019s Penance\u201d.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li>It captures the story of the descent of river Ganga to earth.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The penance of the sage Bhagiratha, sometimes believed to be Arjuna, brought it to earth.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Shiva\u00a0<\/strong>is shown controlling the fury of the descending river through his hair locks.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The panel is also shown in the Kailashnath temple at Kanchipuram.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Arts under Pallavas of Kanchi<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"2\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>The Pallava kings also patronised fine arts.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>The Kudumianmalai and Thirumayam music inscriptions\u00a0<\/strong>show their interest in music.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Musical instruments:\u00a0<\/strong>Yaazhi, Mridhangam, and Murasu were some of the musical instruments.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Both Mahendravarman I and Narasimhavarman I were music experts.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The temple sculptures of the Pallava period reveal that the art of dance was popular in those days.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>The paintings at Chittannavasal<\/strong>\u00a0illustrate the nature of Pallava painting.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Mahendravarman<\/strong>\u00a0was known as\u00a0<strong>Chittirakkarapuli.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<figure>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\"><strong>Literature Under Pallavas of Kanchi<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Nature:\u00a0<\/strong>The literature during the period of the Pallavas was both\u00a0<strong>religious and secular but primarily religious.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Language:<\/strong>\u00a0Both Sanskrit and Tamil literature flourished during this time.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>The court of the Pallava rulers granted royal patronage to Sanskrit literature.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Mahendravarman I<\/strong>\u00a0was the author of Mattavilasa Prahasanam, a satirical play in Sanskrit, and Bhagavadajjuka.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Impetus:<\/strong>\u00a0Tamil literature received an<strong>\u00a0impetus with the growth of the Bhakti movement.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Dandin:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Adorned the court of the Pallava king\u00a0<strong>Narsimhavarman II.<\/strong>\u00a0He wrote\u00a0<strong>Dashakumaracharita and Avantisundarikatha in Sanskrit.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Kanchipuram:\u00a0<\/strong>It was an important\u00a0<strong>center of Sanskrit learning.\u00a0<\/strong>Mayur Sarman, the founder of the Kadamba dynasty, studied the Vedas at Kanchipuram.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>The Alvar and the Nayanmar:\u00a0<\/strong>The devotional compositions enriched the\u00a0<strong>Bhakti and Tamil literature<\/strong>\u00a0because these were written in Tamil, expressing the philosophy of Bhakti.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Nalariya Divya Prabandham:<\/strong>\u00a0The most significant work of the\u00a0<strong>Vaishnavite<\/strong>\u00a0saints. It consisted of 4,000 Tamil verses and was written by 12 Alvars.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>It is also known as the\u00a0<strong>Dravida Veda or the Fifth Veda.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Tirumurai<\/strong>: It was regarded as the major\u00a0<strong>Shaivite canonical text.\u00a0<\/strong>It has 12 books. The 1st seven are called Tevaram, written by the three important Nayanmar saints- Sundarar, Sambandar and Appar.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<h2><strong>Administration under Pallavas of Kanchi<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Monarchy:\u00a0<\/strong>Under Pallavas, the monarchy was the order of the day. The title \u201cDharma-Maharaja\u201d was assumed by the kings.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Division:<\/strong>\u00a0The Pallava state was divided into\u00a0<strong>Kottams.\u00a0<\/strong>The Kottam was administered by officers appointed by the king.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Village Administration\u00a0<\/strong>(basic administration unit): The village administration was run by various local autonomous assemblies.\u00a0<strong>Sabha, Urar, etc.<\/strong>, were the most popular assemblies of this period.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Every village had got a court of justice, viz. Dharamasasana.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Miniature Republics:<\/strong>\u00a0Every village had professional servants like potters, weavers, carpenters, smiths, etc. It appears that the village acted like self-sufficient miniature republics in the Pallava period.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Local Autonomy:<\/strong>\u00a0Administration by local autonomous institutions appears to be a significant feature of the Pallava polity.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><strong>Society and Religion under Pallavas of Kanchi<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Buddhism<\/strong><strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Jainism<\/strong><strong>:\u00a0<\/strong>Both were still very active in the Pallava kingdom.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Most of the Pallava kings were followers of both Vaishnavism and Saivism.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Followers of Veda:\u00a0<\/strong>The Pallava kings assumed not only the title \u201cDharma-Maharaja\u201f and performed Vedic sacrifices. Thus Buddhism and Jainism lost royal patronage and mass support.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Bhakti Movement:<\/strong>\u00a0From the 7th century onwards, the Nayanars and Alvars contributed to the growth of Saivism and Vaishnavism. This is known as the \u2018<strong>Bhakti Movement\u2019.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Adi Shankaracharya:<\/strong>\u00a0The Vedic tradition was further reinforced by a movement started by Adi Sankaracharya. He advocated the\u00a0<strong><u>Advaita philosophy<\/u><\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><strong>Economy under Pallavas of Kanchi<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Major Source of Income:<\/strong>\u00a0Land revenue was the primary source of income.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Taxes:<\/strong>\u00a0The Pallavas also levied\u00a0<strong>taxes on professions, marriages, manufacture of salt, sugar, and textiles, draught cattle, etc.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Agriculture:<\/strong>\u00a0It is evident from the testimony of Hsuen Tsang that the people were very hard working and the soil was very fertile, the labourers who did agricultural work were paid in kind.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Land Grants:\u00a0<\/strong>The creation of the\u00a0<strong>Brahmadeya villages<\/strong>\u00a0started during the Pallava period.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Trade and Commerce:\u00a0<\/strong>The barter system of trade was generally prevalent. Later, the Pallavas issued gold and silver coins, which resulted in the expansion of commerce.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>The merchants had also formed their own organisations called\u00a0<strong>Manigramam.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Eripatti\u00a0<\/strong>(Tank Lands): These were the lands donated by individuals, the revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><strong>Decline of Pallavas of Kanchi<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>After Narsimhavarman, the Pallava dynasty started to decline.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The Chalukyan army invaded the Pallava Kingdom and plundered the capital Kanchipuram.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Their continuous wars with Chalukyas and Pandyas made them weak.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>With the defeat of Aparajitavarman, the last King of the Pallava dynasty, by the Chola king, the Pallavas declined.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><strong>Pallava Dynasty UPSC PYQs<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Q1:<\/strong> Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles '<\/span>Mattavilasa'<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, Vichitrachitta' and 'Gunabhara'? <strong>(UPSC Prelims 2025)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a) Mahendravarman I<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">b) Simha Vishnu<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">c) Narasimhavarman I<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">d) Simhavarman<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Ans: (a)<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pallavas rule began with Simhavishnu &#038; gained prominence under Mahendravarman &#038; Narasimhavarman I.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":3574,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[173],"tags":[688,40],"class_list":{"0":"post-3573","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-quest-level-3","8":"tag-pallavas-of-kanchi","9":"tag-quest"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3573"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3573\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19569,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3573\/revisions\/19569"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3574"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}