South Indian Kingdoms – I: Pallavas

1.Origin of the Pallavas

• Pallava Kingdom: Region, Capital and Span of RuleImportance 3/5
  Which rule came between the Sangam Age and the Pallavas, and about how long did it last? Remember the region and capital of the Pallavas, and the dynasty that annexed the region.
• Theories of Pallava OriginImportance 2/5
  Know the three rival theories of Pallava origin, and understand why scholars did not accept them.
• Native Origin View and the Satavahana LinkImportance 2/5
  Which view of Pallava origin is widely accepted, and what link is made with Asoka's inscriptions? Understand their position under the Satavahanas and when they became independent. How does the Satavahana connection explain their early inscription languages? Which religion did they patronise?

2.Political History

• Early Pallavas and Their ChartersImportance 1/5
  Remember the period of the first line of Pallava rulers, the language of their charters and the two important rulers, Sivaskandavarman and Vijayaskandavarman.
• Second Line of Pallava RulersImportance 3/5
  For which period and in which language did the second line issue charters? Which ruler of this line was defeated by Samudragupta, and during which campaign?
• Simhavishnu and the Third LineImportance 2/5
  From when did the third line rule, and in which languages did it issue charters? Remember what Simhavishnu did to the Kalabhras and the Cholas, and how far his territory reached. How do the charter languages differ across the three lines?

3.Mahendravarman I (600–630 A.D.)

• Start of the Pallava–Chalukya ConflictImportance 3/5
  Who began the long Pallava–Chalukya conflict, and what did Mahendravarman I lose? A Pallava inscription claims his victory at Pullalur. Did this victory win back the lost territory?
• Mahendravarman I's Conversion and TitlesImportance 4/5UPSC 2020, 2025
  Which faith did Mahendravarman I follow early in his career, which saint changed it, and what did he build at Tiruvadi? Learn his titles (Gunabhara, Satyasandha, Chettakari, Vichitrachitta, Mattavilasa). What does the title Chettakari tell us about him?
• Mahendravarman I as a Builder of Cave TemplesImportance 2/5
  What does the Mandagappattu inscription say about the temple he built? Understand which gods it was for and which building materials it says were not used. Remember how the inscription hails him.
• Mahendravarman I as Author, Painter and MusicianImportance 4/5
  Which Sanskrit work did he write? Which of his titles shows his skill in painting? Remember the music inscription at Kudumianmalai, which is ascribed to him; this attribution is not certain.

4.Narasimhavarman I (630–668 A.D.)

• Narasimhavarman I's Victory Over Pulakesin II and the Sack of VatapiImportance 4/5
  Why did Narasimhavarman I march against Pulakesin II? Remember the battle near Kanchi and the copper plates that record it, the general who led the pursuit, what happened to Vatapi, and the title he took. Did he regain the lost territory?
• Naval Expedition to Sri LankaImportance 2/5
  Be clear about his naval expedition to Sri Lanka and the prince whose throne it restored.
• Hiuen Tsang's Account of KanchiImportance 4/5
  Under which Pallava ruler did Hiuen Tsang visit Kanchipuram? Remember what he recorded about the city's size, its Buddhist monasteries and monks, and the people's regard for learning.
• Mamalla and the Founding of MamallapuramImportance 3/5
  What does the title Mamalla mean? Understand how it links to the name Mamallapuram, and which monuments were raised there in his reign.

5.Narasimhavarman II or Rajasimha (695–722 A.D.)

• Rajasimha's Reign: Temples, Court and TitlesImportance 4/5
  Who ruled between Narasimhavarman I and Rajasimha, and did the conflict with the Chalukyas go on? Was his own reign peaceful? Remember the two famous temples built in it, the Sanskrit scholar said to have adorned his court, and his titles Sankarabhakta, Vadhyavidyadhara and Agamapriya.
• Embassies and Maritime TradeImportance 2/5
  Which foreign country did Rajasimha send embassies to? Understand how trade by sea fared during his reign.
• Later Pallavas and the End of Pallava RuleImportance 2/5
  Know the rulers who followed Rajasimha, and remember how the dynasty ended: the Chola king who defeated the last Pallava ruler, the name of that ruler, the region seized, and roughly when this happened.

6.Administration of the Pallavas

• The King, Ministers and KottamsImportance 2/5
  Into what units was the Pallava state divided, and who administered them? Understand the king's role: his ministers, his place in justice and his army.
• Village Sabhas and Their CommitteesImportance 2/5
  How do we know about the village assemblies? Understand their committees and the work they did in the village.
• Devadhana and Brahmadeya Land GrantsImportance 4/5
  Of the two grants, which went to temples and which to Brahmins? What was the tax position of both?
• Pallava TaxationImportance 2/5
  What was the main source of government revenue, and where does the information on taxes come from? Remember the trading and craft groups that paid taxes.
• Irrigation Tanks of the PallavasImportance 2/5
  Whose responsibility was irrigation under the Pallavas? Remember the tanks dug in the reign of Mahendravarman I and where they were.

7.Society Under the Pallavas

• Caste and the Place of BrahminsImportance 2/5
  How did the caste system change in this period? Understand why Brahmins held a high place, with reference to the grants given to them and their duty towards temples.
• Religious Change in the Pallava PeriodImportance 3/5
  In this period, which religions rose and which declined? Understand how temple building by the kings helped the spread of the rising ones.
• Bhakti Movement of the Nayanmars and AlwarsImportance 4/5
  Who were the Nayanmars and the Alwars, and which faith did each serve? Understand why their movement is called the Bhakti Movement, and the language and message of their hymns.

8.Education and Literature

• Ghatika at Kanchi and Its ScholarsImportance 4/5
  Why was the Ghatika at Kanchi well known? Remember the three persons linked with Kanchi: Mayurasarman, Dinganaga and Dharmapala. What is each known for?
• Sanskrit Literature Under the PallavasImportance 3/5
  Which Pallava ruler is each of Bharavi and Dandin linked with? Remember the name of the Sanskrit play written by Mahendravarman I himself.
• Tamil Literature Under the PallavasImportance 4/5
  Which two collections of religious hymns belong to this period, and who composed each? Remember Perundevanar, the work he wrote and the Pallava king who was his patron. Which king does the Nandikkalambagam praise? Is its author known?

9.Pallava Art and Architecture

• Pallavas and the Beginning of Dravidian Temple ArchitectureImportance 4/5
  What role did the Pallavas play in the beginnings of Dravidian temple architecture? Understand how their temple building developed step by step, and remember how many stages it is divided into.
• First Stage: Rock-Cut TemplesImportance 4/5
  Which Pallava ruler introduced rock-cut temples? Remember the main sites, such as Mandagappattu, Mahendravadi, Mamandur and Dalavanur.
• Second Stage: Monolithic Rathas and Mandapas at MamallapuramImportance 5/5
  Which ruler is credited with these monuments? Understand what the five rathas, known as the Pancha Pandava rathas, show about styles of temple architecture. Remember the best-known mandapas: Mahishasuramardini, Tirumurthi and Varaha.
• Third Stage: Structural TemplesImportance 5/5
  Who introduced structural temples? Remember the two finest early examples, one at Kanchipuram and one at Mamallapuram, and which of them is regarded as the greatest Pallava masterpiece. Is the same stone used in both temples?
• Fourth Stage: Later Pallava Structural TemplesImportance 3/5
  Remember three temples at Kanchipuram from the last stage of Pallava architecture, including the Vaikunthaperumal temple.
• Pallava Sculpture and the Descent of the GangesImportance 4/5
  What is the 'Open Art Gallery' at Mamallapuram? Know the other name of the Descent of the Ganges relief, and the animal figures, such as the lice-picking monkey and the ascetic cat, that show the sculptor's skill.

10.Fine Arts

• Music Under the Pallavas (Mamandur and Kudumianmalai Inscriptions)Importance 3/5
  What does each of the two inscriptions record about music? Remember also how the hymns of the Alwars and Nayanmars were composed.
• Dance, Drama and Painting Under the PallavasImportance 3/5
  How does sculpture show the dance of this period? Know the Sittannavasal paintings (their period is debated) and the Dakshinachitra commentary, and the Pallava ruler under whom it was compiled.

1. 1.

   Consider the following statements regarding Pallava temple architecture:
   1. The monolithic rathas and mandapas at Mamallapuram represent its second stage and are credited to Narasimhavarman I.
   2. The five rathas, popularly called the Pancha Pandava rathas, all follow one uniform style of temple architecture.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 only
   2. B2 only
   3. CBoth 1 and 2
   4. DNeither 1 nor 2
2. 2.

   Consider the following statements regarding Pallava structural temples:
   1. Rajasimha introduced the structural temples.
   2. The Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi and the Shore temple at Mamallapuram are among the finest examples of the early structural temples.
   3. The Shore temple at Mamallapuram is regarded as the greatest architectural masterpiece of Pallava art.
   How many of the above statements are correct?

   1. AOnly one
   2. BOnly two
   3. CAll three
   4. DNone
3. 3.

   Which one of the following Pallava rulers captured and destroyed the Chalukya capital Vatapi and assumed the title 'Vatapikonda'?

   1. AMahendravarman I
   2. BParameswaravarman I
   3. CNarasimhavarman I
   4. DRajasimha
4. 4.

   Consider the following statements regarding the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang's visit to the Pallava capital:
   1. He visited Kanchipuram during the reign of Mahendravarman I.
   2. His account says Kanchi had about 10,000 Buddhist monasteries in which about 100 monks lived.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 only
   2. B2 only
   3. CBoth 1 and 2
   4. DNeither 1 nor 2
5. 5.

   Consider the following statements regarding land grants under the Pallavas:
   1. The land grants made to Brahmins were known as Devadhana.
   2. The Brahmadeya lands were exempted from tax.
   3. The Devadhana lands paid land tax to the government like other lands.
   How many of the above statements are correct?

   1. AOnly one
   2. BOnly two
   3. CAll three
   4. DNone
6. 6.

   Consider the following pairs:

   Tamil work of the Pallava period	Composed or translated by
   1. Devaram	Nayanmars
   2. Nalayiradivyaprabandam	Nayanmars
   3. Bharathavenba	Perundevanar

   Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

   1. A1 and 2 only
   2. B1 and 3 only
   3. C2 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
7. 7.

   Consider the following statements:
   Statement-I: The Saiva Nayanmars and the Vaishnava Alwars composed their hymns in Sanskrit.
   Statement-II: The hymns of the Nayanmars and Alwars revealed the importance of devotion, or Bhakti.
   Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

   1. ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
   2. BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
   3. CStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
   4. DStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
8. 8.

   Match List I with List II:

   List I (Person)	List II (Description)
   A. Mayurasarman	1. Later became the Head of Nalanda University
   B. Dinganaga	2. Founder of the Kadamba dynasty who studied the Vedas at Kanchi
   C. Dharmapala	3. Buddhist writer who came to study at Kanchi
   D. Bharavi	4. Sanskrit scholar who lived in the time of Simhavishnu

   Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   1. AA-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
   2. BA-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
   3. CA-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
   4. DA-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
9. 9.

   Consider the following statements regarding Mahendravarman I:
   1. He authored the Sanskrit work Mattavilasa Prahasanam.
   2. His title Chitrakarapuli reveals his talent in music.
   3. The music inscription at Kudumianmalai is ascribed to him.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?

   1. A1, 2 and 3
   2. B1 and 3 only
   3. C2 and 3 only
   4. D1 and 2 only
10. 10.

    Consider the following statements regarding Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha):
    1. His regime was peaceful and he took more interest in developing art and architecture.
    2. The Sanskrit scholar Dandin is said to have adorned his court.
    3. He sent embassies to China.
    4. He was succeeded by Mahendravarman II and Parameswaravarman I.
    How many of the above statements are correct?

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. COnly three
    4. DAll four
11. 11.

    Which one of the following Pallava rulers introduced rock-cut temples, the first stage of Pallava temple architecture?

    1. ASimhavishnu
    2. BNarasimhavarman I
    3. CRajasimha
    4. DMahendravarman I
12. 12.

    Consider the following statements regarding the Pallava–Chalukya conflict:
    1. Pulakesin II captured the northern part of the Pallava kingdom during the reign of Narasimhavarman I.
    2. Despite a Pallava inscription's claim of his victory at Pullalur, Mahendravarman I could not recover the lost territory.
    3. Narasimhavarman I regained the lost territory.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B1 and 3 only
    3. C1, 2 and 3
    4. D2 and 3 only
13. 13.

    Consider the following statements regarding Pallava sculpture:
    1. The 'Open Art Gallery' at Mamallapuram is an important monument bearing the sculptural beauty of the Pallava period.
    2. The Descent of the Ganges is also known as the Penance of Arjuna.
    3. The figures of a lice-picking monkey and an 'ascetic cat' standing erect are cited as proof of the sculptor's talent.
    How many of the above statements are correct?

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. CAll three
    4. DNone
14. 14.

    Consider the following pairs:

    Ruler	Event
    1. Vishnugopa	Defeated by Samudragupta during his South Indian expedition
    2. Aditya I	Chola king who defeated the last Pallava ruler Aparajita
    3. Mahendravarman I	Restored the Sri Lankan prince Manavarma to his throne by a naval expedition

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
15. 15.

    With reference to the evolution of Pallava temple architecture, which one of the following is the correct sequence of its development?

    1. ACave temples, monolithic rathas, structural temples
    2. BMonolithic rathas, cave temples, structural temples
    3. CCave temples, structural temples, monolithic rathas
    4. DStructural temples, monolithic rathas, cave temples

1. 1.

   UPSC 2025

   Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles ‘Mattavilasa’, ‘Vichitrachitta’ and ‘Gunabhara’?

   1. AMahendravarman I
   2. BSimhavishnu
   3. CNarasimhavarman I
   4. DSimhavarman
2. 2.

   UPSC 2020

   Consider the following events in the history of India :
   1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
   2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman – I
   3. Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka – I
   4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time ?

   1. A2 – 1 – 4 – 3
   2. B3 – 1 – 4 – 2
   3. C2 – 4 – 1 – 3
   4. D3 – 4 – 1 – 2