- Pallava Dynasty was one of the South Indian ruling dynasties which gained prominence after the fall of the Satavahanas dynasty, whom the Pallavas served as feudatories. Simhavishnu was the founder of the dynasty. He was the first Pallava monarch who extended his authority beyond Kanchipuram in the South. A drama written by his son Mahendravarman I in which he was portrayed as a great conqueror in Mattavilasa Prahasana. Tamil literature flourished under his rule, with the rise in popularity of Tevaram written by Appar and Sambandhar. He was the author of the play Mattavilasa Prahasana and another play called Bhagavadajjuka. Pallavas reached new heights under the rule of Narasimha Varman I. He was also known as Mamallan (great wrestler), and Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) was named after him. He shared his father Mahendravarman I’s love of art and completed the work started by Mahendravarman in Mamallapuram. During his reign, the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Kanchipuram in 640 AD. Architecture of Pallavas reached new heights under Narasimhavarman II he constructed the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram and Vaikuntha-Perumal Temples in Kanchipuram. He was a great devotee of Shiva and constructed the Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram. Aparajitavarman was the last ruler of Pallavas Dynasty. He was killed by Aditya I (Chola Ruler) in 897 AD at the battlefield.
- Pallava State was divided as Kottams. The irrigation tanks at Mamandavadi was built by Mahendravarman I. Ghatika at Kanchi was a great centre of learning during Pallava time.
- Imperial Cholas were contemporaries of Pallavas. Their capital was at Tanjore. Founder was Vijalaya. It was his son Aditya who put an end to Pallavas.But Rashtrakutas in famous battle of Takkolam defeated Cholas. The Uttiramerur inscription gives detail about Chola Administration. Rajaraja Chola I who ruled from 985-1014 AD was the greatest of Kings. He made Indian Ocean The Chola Pond’ by his naval strength. He built the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, one of the largest Hindu temples. During his reign, the texts of the Tamil poets Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar were collected and edited into one compilation called Thirumurai.
- Imperial Cholas were contemporaries of Pallavas. Their capital was at Tanjore. Founder was Vijalaya. It was his son Aditya who put an end to Pallavas.But Rashtrakutas in famous battle of Takkolam defeated Cholas. The Uttiramerur inscription gives detail about Chola Administration. Rajaraja Chola I who ruled from 985-1014 AD was the greatest of Kings. He made Indian Ocean The Chola Pond’ by his naval strength. He built the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, one of the largest Hindu temples. During his reign, the texts of the Tamil poets Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar were collected and edited into one compilation called Thirumurai.
- Dravidian style of architecture reached its perfection under the Cholas. Airavateshwara Temple at Darasuram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple are the perfect examples. Bronzes of Chola Period are world famous.
Category(s):