This lesson describes the later Pallava kings. The first king SimhaVishnu of this family was followed by kings who established Pallava Kingdom. Copper plates and stone inscriptions mention about the popular kings, Mahendra varman I and Narasimhavarman I, Chinese traveller Hieung - Sang's visit to Kanchipuram is a historical event. Pallavas' interest in temple architecture was demonstrated by not only constructed temples but also cave temples. நந்திக் கலம்பகம், an important work of the period, describes Nandivarman and pallava governance.
The first of the five units of this lessons deal with historical evidence of later Pallavas and their mode of goveranance. The popular Pallava kings of this period are mentioned in the second unit. Pallava government, Council of ministers, Courts of Justice and land survey and coins are the contents of the third unit. Educational Institution and literary development are the subject of the fourth unit. Temples, Art and Architecture are described in the fifth unit.
Historical documents tracing the history of the Tamils are available from this period only. Pallava dynasty ruled from the sixth to the ninth century A.D., with Kanchipuram as their Capital.
Early Pallavas and later Pallavas had their distinguished share of the name and fame of Tamil land. மாமல்லபுரம் and its vicinity have a number of inscriptions in a Non-Tamil language. About 54 Kings form the group of the early Pallavas.
Later Pallavas established the well-known Pallava Kingdom.
Pallava’s copper plates, stone inscriptions, government seals, books written in Prakrit, Sanskrit and Tamil language, memorial stones, cave temples and constructed temples are monumental aspects of their kingdom.
Besides these evidences, there were others created by other kings in the neighbourhood like சாளுக்கியர், ராஷ்டிரகூடர், கதம்பர், கங்கர், களப்பிரர், பாண்டியர், முத்தரையர் and பாணர்.
தேவாரம், நாலாயிரத்திவ்ய பிரபந்தம், நந்திக்கலம்பகம் and other literary works along with பெரியபுராணம் of the chola period and மகாவம்சம் of Srilankan history provide proofs for the history of the pallavas.
Pallava land was divided into மண்டலம், கோட்டம், நாடு and ஊர். Buddhism, Jainism, Saivism and Vaishnavism were the prevalent religions in those times. Pallavas had the bull as their symbol, Ministers, high officers, armies, courts of law, archives, land survery, accounts and taxes and coints made of gold, silver and copper spoke of their administrative tactics.
Tamil was developed by religious authors like the தேவார மூவர் and ஆழ்வார்கள். Several literary works bloomed because of the creativity of the Pallava kings and of religious awakening. Statues were also made to remember great kings
Social, religious, cultural and artistic developments formed the hallmark of this period in Tamil literature. This lesson evokes in you an interest in researchers' efforts to trace the racial origin of Pallavas.