HISTORY OF PALLAVAS
Though the Pallavas ruled South India 700 years, this is hard to trace out their origin. They had established themselves as a notable rising power in the region between 275 CE – 350 CE. We have come to conclusion about their history only in vague formats. Here with humble I have try to give only the outline of their history with my available materials.
The following chronology is accumulated from the three characters:
Simhavarman I 275-300 CE Simhavarman II 436- 460 CE
Skandavarman Skandavarman IV 460-480 CE
Vishnugopa 350 CE Nandivarman I 480-510 CE
Kumaravishnu I 350- 370 CE Kumaravisnu II 510-540 CE
Skandavarman II 370-385 CE Buddhavarman 530-540 CE
Skandavarman III 400- 436 CE Simhavarman III 550-560 CE
Pallavas flourished South India from A.D. 400 to A.D.1000.Say from the beginning of the fourth century; they have contributed various arts and architectures to the nation. This dynasty has an important role in the history.It has many vital turning points.
There is lot of controversies over the origin of the Pailavas. Some view that the Pallavas were of Persian origin. Some consider that they were the feudatories of the Satavahanas. There are others, who view that they were the natives of Tondaimandalam.
Is, their origin Srilankan ?
''Tamil literature relates the story of Chola king Killivalavan who moved his capital to Uraiyar after the destruction of the Chola capital of Puhar. Mudaliyar C. Rasanayagam of Colombo claims that Killi Valavan had a liaison with the daughter of Naga king Valaivanam of Manipallavanam (in Jaffna peninsula) in Ceylon. From this union was born a child who was named Tondaiman Ilantirayan whom his father, Killi Valavan, made the ruler of a territory which was named Tondamandlam with capital at Kanchi. It is pointed out that name Pallava derives from the last syllable of Manipallavanam , the land of prince’s mother''.
We have to leave all these controversial to the historians’ decision... Because, it may be affect the main stream of this article. Anyhow, it clearly proofs that this dynasty have observed the Tamil culture.
According to the Karnel Macancy’s notes we came to know that there was a war between Thondaiman Chakravarthy and Visuvasurasan. In this Visuvasurasan succeed Thondaiman Chakravarthy and captured his country. Here after the king Pappa Devan the successor of Visuvasurasan ruled over this country. He grants many gifts to the temples. All, these are founds in copper scripts. Most of the plates are in Pragrutham and Northern languages.
In the earlier stage of Sadhavaganap Perarasar’s rule, all the availed scripts were in the Pragrutha language. All these materials have proofed that they were the chief of the Southern parts of Sadavagana’s dynasty .Then they captured the Aruvavadathalai country and introduced agriculture...
Though this has been taking deviation of the theme of this article, this is an important to know about the Prakrit language… Pragrutham-Prakrit or Pracit became literary language patronized by kings identified with the Kshatriya caste…The earliest extant usage of Prakrit is the corpus of inscriptions of Asoka.
Here after Kanchi, which is prominent in education and arts were there capital. They have called themselves as Pallavas… There is no evidence that these peoples are Bharathvasa Gothirathar. The Thalakunda stone script clearly shows that these descend are Chatriyas.
With the help of their Inscription , the historians were separated their period in three epochs.
1. Early Pallavas
2. Medieval Pallavas
3. Later Pallavas.
Have to see that the renaissance of Hinduism,sculptures and architectures were overlapped its' zenith in the later Pallavas… Later Pallavas’ era beginning with the line
Mahendhiravarman I
Narashima Pallavan I alias Mamallan
Narashiman II alias Rajashiman
Nandhivarman
Skandavarman
Simavishnu appears to the first great ruler of the early Pallavas. He extended his dominions from the Krishna in the North to the Pennar in the South… We could not trace out his father's name. Apparently, he is the first king in this dynasty. He performed Ashwameda Yaga.
Mahendravarman I (A.D. 600 AD 630)
He is forerunner of the art of cave temples. Literatures and architectures are well patronized. He proclaimed that he constructed the Mandagapattu cave temple without using the wood, bricks and gypsum mortar. writer He was also a good play writer.
Narasimavarman (A.D.630-A.D.668) He crowned after his father Mahendravarman. As a good wrestler he titled as Mamallan..He conquest Chalukiya king Pulikesi and captured his capital Vadhabi .Because of this victory he praised as Vadhabi Kondan.
Narasimhavarman I is claimed to be one of the Seven Indian kings who never lost on the battlefield to their enemies, the others being Karikala Chola of the Sangam age, Samudragupta, Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka, Rajaraja Chola I, his great warrior son Rajendra Chola.
Conclusion
For, honoring him the port town is called Mamallapuram.
Some people are wrongly spelled Mahapalipuram instead of Mamallapuram.
To substantiate their stands they are falsely saying the new story of Mahapali King…
Nowhere the name Mahapalipuram finds in the History.
Only the worship of the shore temple not be abundant...May be completed with the worship of the patrons...
Sivashanmugam.
Karur.
