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Friday, January 8, 2010

Pallavas

Pallava, pastoral tribe emerged as a powerful ruler and commanded region of thondaimandalam. its capital located in Pallavapuri (Bhavatri, of Nellore in the Andhra). They were of the sect "Thiraiyar" and the region they said was called "Thondaimandalam". In the capital, washed away by the sea due to natural disaster, they moved down to Kanchipuram and settled there, once and for all to establish amore powerful kingdom with its territory even to consume as northern Orissa, Tanjore and Trichi. Kanchipuram became their new home. Even classical writings talking about Pallava, there is no specific mention of any Pallava rulers's name. But the excavation conducted by the Indian archeological department revealed the earliest possible reign dated back to 1st and 2nd century AD. The earliest known coinagein lead issued by the then Pallav could be dated between 3rd and 4 century AD. Around4th century AD, Pallava Ikshvakus defeated and occupied country as far as the River Krishna. Allahabad inscription throws light on a ruler Hastivarman of Vengi's defeat to Samudraguptain the 4th century. Copper plate in the middle of 4th century, spoke of the Pallava grants in Andhra by Siva Skandavarman.

During the 5th century Pallava expanded very quickly and even crossed the river Krishna and occupied Bellary, Sorth and South Arcot, Trichirapalli, Chengalpet and part of Tanjore too. In late 500 AD, the area came in possession of Simha Vishnu, and he was the founder of the Pallava dynasty. He fought several wars and the empire enjoyed prosperity. After his death, his son succeeded Mahendravarman. He was alearned man, he began working in the cave temple at Mahabalipuram. Chalukya Pulkesi-II taught about wealth Kanchi and attack the kingdom to defeat Mahendravarma. Mahendravarman died a broken man with insult. His son Narasimhavarman was a man of tact and intelligence. Now came the worst part. Pulekisin II, the great ruler chalukya learned about wealth kanchi and wanted to capture it. He came with a large army and defeated Mahendravarman on Pullalur in 620 AD It was a great insult to the Pallava and Mahendravarman in particular. It destroyed his health. His further attempts to take revenge in a series of battles with Pulikesin in the northern part of Tamilnadu were all in vain. All went in vain and he died a broken man in 630 AD

Narasimhavarman ascended the throne in 630 AD, and swore to avenge the insult done tohis father as Chalukyas. With tremendous strength and tact he defeated Pulikesi II inthe Battle of Manimangalam and Pariyalam year 632 AD. He completely burned thecapital city Pulakesi. A man with well built physics was a great wrestler too. He had a title "Mamalla" behind him, and maybe this could be Rasŏn whyMahabalipuram called Mamallapuram?? Badami remained in his control until 655 AD till Vinayaditya restored back to the Chalukya kingdom.

Narasimhavarman closed cave temples of Mahabalipuram and produced immense number of temples. The Pallava dynasty was not to peak under that ruler ever. Butthe successors failed to secure the area until the Chola took their toll in 9thcentury. The greatest dynasty thus saw its end once and for all.

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