Context- Archaeologists have recently discovered an eighth-century Kotravai sculpture, which dates back to the Pallava period, near Ulundurpet, Tamil Nadu.
About Pallava Dynasty
- The Pallava Dynasty was a famous power in South India that existed between the 3rd and 9th Centuries.
- The dynasty ruled the northern parts of Tamil Nadu, elements of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, with Kanchipuram as their capital.
- The Pallavas supported Buddhism, Jainism, and the Brahmanical faith and were patrons of music, painting, and literature.
Origin
- Pallava Dynasty turned into in advance feudatories of Andhra Satavahanas. Pallavas grew to be autonomous subsequent to their decline at Amaravati.
- They steadily moved southward and instituted their capital at Kanchipuram inside the 4th century CE.
- The rule of Mahendravarman I(571 – 630 CE) and Narasimhavarman I (630 – 668 CE) witnessed the increase in the wealth and vigour of the Pallava realm.
- Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang portrays Bodhidharma, the founding father of the Chan (Zen) college of Buddhism in China, as a prince of the Pallava dynasty. Tsang traveled to Kanchipuram at some stage in the Pallava generation and praised their benevolent decrees.
Architecture
- The Pallava Dynasty changed into usually outstanding for his or her benefaction of Dravidian structure.
- They were the maximum cited for temple structure. They were instrumental in the transition from rock-cut architecture to stone temples.
- The most noted architectural accomplishments of the Pallavas are at Mahabalipuram, which, underneath the Pallava reign, have become an vital centre of artwork, architecture, and literature.
- The Kailasanatha Temple in Kanchipuram and the Shore Temple had been constructed by way of Narasimhavarman II.
- Of all the temples, Kailasanatha and Vaikuntaperumal are best rated for their architectural virtues.
- The Vaikuntaperumal shrine is a multi-storied temple constructed inside the eighth century A.D and is stated for the sculptures illustrating the history of the Pallavas.
- Religion: They adopted the local religion Shaivism, and have become Dravidians.
Combats of the Pallava Dynasty
- Throughout their supremacy, they had been in consistent warfare with each the Chalukya Dynasty inside the north and the Tamil kingdoms of Chola and Pandyas in the south.
- The Pallavas have been occupied in continuous combat with the Chalukyas of Badami and ultimately concealed by the Chola kings inside the 8th century CE.
Decline
- The rise of Rashtrakutas had seen the decline of the Pallava Dynasty.
- Vijayalaya, the Chola King, completely overpowered Aparajitavarman, the closing Pallava King, in 897 AD.
Source: Indian Express