South Indian Kingdoms - Pallavas | History for UPSC 2024 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

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South Indian Kingdoms
PALLAVAS
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South Indian Kingdoms
PALLAVAS
Chronology
Page 3


South Indian Kingdoms
PALLAVAS
Chronology Pallavas(275 CE to 897 CE)
After the decline of the Sangam Age in the Tamil country, the Kalabhra rule lasted for about 250 
years. The Kalabhras, displaced the kingdoms of the early Cholas, early 
Pandyas and Chera dynasties by a revolt.
The Pallavas established their kingdom in Tondaimandalam with its capital at Kanchipuram. 
? Tondaimandalam = southern part of Andhra Pradesh and northernmost part of Tamil Nadu
? The boundaries of Tondaimandalam are ambiguous – between the river basins of Penna 
River and Ponnaiyar River
Their rule continued till Tondaimandalam was captured and annexed by the Imperial Cholas in 
the beginning of the tenth century C.E. 
When Tondaimandalam was conquered by the Satavahanas (1
st
to 2
nd
century CE), the Pallavas
became their feudatories. 
After the fall of the Satavahanas in the third century C.E., they became independent. 
Page 4


South Indian Kingdoms
PALLAVAS
Chronology Pallavas(275 CE to 897 CE)
After the decline of the Sangam Age in the Tamil country, the Kalabhra rule lasted for about 250 
years. The Kalabhras, displaced the kingdoms of the early Cholas, early 
Pandyas and Chera dynasties by a revolt.
The Pallavas established their kingdom in Tondaimandalam with its capital at Kanchipuram. 
? Tondaimandalam = southern part of Andhra Pradesh and northernmost part of Tamil Nadu
? The boundaries of Tondaimandalam are ambiguous – between the river basins of Penna 
River and Ponnaiyar River
Their rule continued till Tondaimandalam was captured and annexed by the Imperial Cholas in 
the beginning of the tenth century C.E. 
When Tondaimandalam was conquered by the Satavahanas (1
st
to 2
nd
century CE), the Pallavas
became their feudatories. 
After the fall of the Satavahanas in the third century C.E., they became independent. 
between the river basins of Penna 
River and Ponnaiyar River
Page 5


South Indian Kingdoms
PALLAVAS
Chronology Pallavas(275 CE to 897 CE)
After the decline of the Sangam Age in the Tamil country, the Kalabhra rule lasted for about 250 
years. The Kalabhras, displaced the kingdoms of the early Cholas, early 
Pandyas and Chera dynasties by a revolt.
The Pallavas established their kingdom in Tondaimandalam with its capital at Kanchipuram. 
? Tondaimandalam = southern part of Andhra Pradesh and northernmost part of Tamil Nadu
? The boundaries of Tondaimandalam are ambiguous – between the river basins of Penna 
River and Ponnaiyar River
Their rule continued till Tondaimandalam was captured and annexed by the Imperial Cholas in 
the beginning of the tenth century C.E. 
When Tondaimandalam was conquered by the Satavahanas (1
st
to 2
nd
century CE), the Pallavas
became their feudatories. 
After the fall of the Satavahanas in the third century C.E., they became independent. 
between the river basins of Penna 
River and Ponnaiyar River
Pallavas
Who were Pallavas?
? Pallavas were the natives of Tondaimandalam itself was widely accepted by scholars. 
? They are also identical with the Pulindas mentioned in the inscriptions of Asoka.
The Pallavas issued their earlier inscriptions in Prakrit and Sanskrit because of their Satavahana
connections, and also patronised Brahmanism. 
The early Pallava rulers from 250 C.E. to 350 C.E. issued their charters in Prakrit.
The second line of Pallava rulers who ruled between 350 C.E. and 550 C.E. issued their charters 
in Sanskrit. 
The rulers of the third line who ruled from 575 C.E. to their ultimate fall in the ninth century 
issued their charters both in Sanskrit and Tamil.
Simhavishnu was the first ruler of the third line.
Other great Pallava rulers of this line were Mahendravarman I, Narasimhavarman I, and 
Narasimhavarman II.